Samsung launches ISOCELL GN1 50-megapixel camera sensor

Samsung’s new ISOCELL GN1 sensor is scheduled to go for the mass production later this month.

Samsung launches new image sensor (Samsung)

Samsung on Tuesday announced the launch of a new 50-megapixel image sensor. Called Samsung ISOCELL GN1, the sensor comes with large 1.2um-sized pixels. Samsung says the ISOCELL GN1 is its first sensor to feature both Dual Pixel and Tetracell technologies. 

“With innovative pixel technologies, Samsung has been at the forefront of offering high-performance image sensors that closely cater to increasingly diversifying market needs. The ISOCELL GN1 is part of that commitment to deliver stunning images to consumers in any environment,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics in a post. “We will continue to introduce image sensor solutions at the cutting-edge that will lead the next trends in mobile photography.”

Samsung ISOCELL GN1

Samsung's new image sensor is said to come with optimisations for low-light photos. The company says the sensor can deliver DSLR-level auto-focus speeds.

The auto-focus is said to rely on 100 million phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agents.

“When capturing images, a single pixel output is created by merging the outputs from the two photodiodes within the pixel. Samsung also provides a software algorithm that takes light information from each photodiode to produce image resolutions comparable to 100Mp,” the company said in the post.

For low-light optimisations, Samsung's GN1 sensor uses Tetracell technology which essentially a pixel binning process – combining four pixels into one.

Moreover, the new sensor comes with a Smart sensor that automatically detects the best ISO, real-time HDR and gyro-based EIS.

For videos, the sensor can deliver up to 8K resolution at 30 frames-per-second (fps).