Sony’s Semiconductor Solutions division has posted a video unveiling details of a new sensor technology for smartphones. The company says it’s the world’s first stacked CMOS image sensor technology with 2-Layer Transistor Pixel. Sony says that the new sensor technology will improve the dynamic range of its sensors.
How it works
Sony has built on its expertise in stacked sensors to develop the 2-Layer Transistor Pixel technology. In conventional stacked CMOS image sensors, photodiodes and pixel transistors sit alongside each other on the same substrate. The photodiodes convert light to electrical signals and the pixel transistors control the signals. However, with the 2-Layer Pixel sensor, the photodiodes and the pixel transistors are on separate substrates, one on top of the other.
Improved dynamic range
The size of the light-absorbing photodiodes on a sensor determines its dynamic range. With the new sensor, Sony has also been able to substantially increase the photodiode volume. This means the sensor can absorb around double the amount of light compared to a conventional sensor. Sony says that “this level of outstanding dynamic range has never been seen before in the history of sensors for smartphones.” This means it will help prevent underexposure and overexposure in scenarios with both very bright and dark areas, such as backlit subjects.
Larger pixel transistor
When you take images or video in a low-light setting, such as a night scene, it often suffers from noise. With the new sensor, Sony has also successfully integrated a larger pixel transistor. The company says that this will “dramatically reduce the noise attributed to the pixel when working in low light.” In addition, the sensor should deliver images with improved saturation.
What we think
Due to inherent size constraints, smartphones have always had smaller sensors than mirrorless or DSLR cameras. This results in the relatively poor low-light performance and reduced dynamic range which affects photos and videos taken on your phone. However, with its new 2-Layer Transistor Pixel technology, Sony is aiming to dramatically improve both dynamic range and low light performance. Currently, the new sensor has only debuted in Sony’s flagship smartphones. Hopefully, other manufacturers will adopt Sony’s new sensor to deliver the image benefits to a wider market.
