The 1/1.33” format sensor with 0.8μm pixels ISOCELL Bright HM1 features Nonacell technology, which delivers brighter images in low-light settings. In 2017, Samsung introduced Tetracell, a pixel-binning technology with a special two-by-two array that merges four neighboring pixels to work as a single large pixel. Nonacell is an enhanced version of Tetracell with a three-by-three pixel structure. In the HM1, Nonacell merges nine neighboring 0.8μm pixels to mimic a large 2.4μm pixel, more than doubling Tetracell’s light absorption.
As the number of adjoined cells increase, so does color interference, making pixel-binning technologies more challenging, While such difficulties had limited Nonacell to a theory, the HM1 was able to realize the method by adopting Samsung’s ISOCELL Plus technology, which reduces crosstalk and minimizes optical loss as well as light reflection.
The HM1 supplements Nonacell with several other advanced pixel technologies. For example, the HM1’s Smart-ISO technology intelligently selects the optimal ISO. High ISOs are used in darker settings while low ISOs are better for brighter environments to control light saturation.
“To capture meaningful moments in our lives, Samsung has been driving innovations in pixel and logic technologies that enable ISOCELL image sensors to take astounding photographs even when lighting conditions aren’t ideal,” said Yongin Park, EVP of the sensor business at Samsung. “By adopting Nonacell and Smart-ISO technologies, the 108Mp ISOCELL Bright HM1 helps take vivid high-resolution pictures across a wide range of lighting environments.”
Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 is currently in mass production.
Samsung page link: https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/isocell/mobile-image-sensors/isocell-bright-hm1/
ReplyDeleteToday I had the new Samsung Galaxy 20-something in my hands with the 100 x zoom and the 108 Mpixel image sensor. The zooming capability is indeed very impressive, but you do need a tripod to make stable images when using the maximum zoom function. I also tried to force the camera to show the noise of the sensor. No column noise visible, no row noise visible, only a low level of pixel noise. The latter is becoming clearly visible when going to the maximum zoom range. Not surprising, because the last part of the zooming is done digitally and then the pixel noise is becoming indeed observable in very, very dark conditions.
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