Small-format image sensor with video HDR for mobile smartphone cameras

OMNIVISION has introduced the newest image sensor in its wide mobile product portfolio: the OV50M40. Including advanced technologies for front, main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras in smartphones, the device is a versatile 0.61µm pixel CMOS image sensor with 50MP output and features functions such as single exposure dual analog gain (DAG) video HDR and always-on low power.

“There is increasing demand for small form factor 50MP resolution image sensors in smartphone applications, including front, main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras,” said James Liu, senior product marketing manager, OMNIVISION. “Our new OV50M40 image sensor can provide mobile phone OEMs with a single camera solution with the performance and features that can satisfy multiple applications, simplifying the supply chain and reducing cost.”

The sensor supports staggered HDR and DAG HDR technology. Staggered HDR extends dynamic range to enhance the quality of video and still-image capture; the addition of built-in DAG provides single-exposure HDR support, lowering motion artifacts in challenging lighting conditions. The image sensor achieves outstanding low-light performance due to four-cell binning of the 0.61µm pixel size, built-in advanced noise reduction technology and high-gain mode support. It can achieve up to 64x analog gain for four-cell binning resolution.

The image sensor supports phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for binning and full resolution modes with hardware re-mosaic on platform, which ensures high-quality telephoto camera crop-zoom performance. It supports the always-on function for motion detection and ultra-low power. The image sensor can consistently capture high-quality images with rear-facing or front-facing cameras, and it enables 2x or 3x high-quality crop-zoom for telephoto cameras with fast mode switch.

The image sensor is built on the company's PureCel Plus-S stacked-die technology, allowing high-resolution 50MP with small 0.61µm pixels. The sensor’s 12.5MP preview and still capture with four-cell binning achieves 4x sensitivity (-1.22µm equivalent pixel performance). It supports 50MP with PDAF autofocus at 12fps, 12.5MP with PDAF autofocus at 60fps, 4K2K video with PDAF autofocus at 60fps, and 1080p at 120fps. The device comes in a 1/2.88" optical format and supports the CPHY/DPHY MIPI interface and dual DOVDD 1.8/1.2V.