Samsung, a leading technology company, has recently unveiled three new ISOCELL camera sensors – the ISOCELL GNJ, ISOCELL HP9, and ISOCELL JN5. While these sensors may not be the flagship models, they offer impressive features that cater to the needs of telephoto and ultrawide cameras in smartphones. It is anticipated that various Android smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung, will adopt these sensors in their upcoming devices.
ISOCELL GNJ
The ISOCELL GNJ is a 50MP sensor boasting 1µm pixels and a 1/1.57-inch optical format. Equipped with dual-pixel autofocus, this sensor ensures fast and precise focusing, even in low-light conditions. Additionally, it features in-sensor zoom functionality, complementing optical zoom lenses to deliver enhanced zoom capabilities without compromising image quality. The GNJ sensor incorporates an improved anti-reflective layer and a high-refractive microlens to optimize light capture and minimize unwanted reflections, thereby preserving the natural appearance of dark areas. By utilizing silicon oxide between pixels, it effectively reduces noise and enhances energy efficiency, consuming 29% less power in preview mode and 34% less power during 4K 60fps video recording.
ISOCELL HP9
The ISOCELL HP9 is a cutting-edge 200MP sensor with a 1/1.4-inch optical format and 0.56µm pixels. Demonstrating 12% higher light sensitivity and 10% improved autofocus performance compared to its predecessor, the HP3, this sensor is suitable for both primary and telephoto cameras. Already integrated into the Vivo X100 Ultra’s telephoto camera, the HP9 leverages a highly refractive microlens to enhance light transmission to the RGB color filter, resulting in superior color accuracy, autofocus speed, and light sensitivity. Its capabilities shine in low-light scenarios with 4×4 pixel binning for optimal performance and the ability to generate realistic background blur. Offering 2x and 4x in-sensor zoom, it can achieve up to 12x optical-quality zoom when paired with a 3x optical zoom lens.
ISOCELL JN5
The ISOCELL JN5, a 50MP sensor with a 1/2.76-inch size, is poised to serve as an ultrawide camera sensor in smartphones. Boasting enhanced autofocus capabilities and a broader color spectrum for consistent imaging, the JN5 employs Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (Dual VTG) technology to enhance pixel charge transfer, thereby minimizing noise in low-light conditions. Super Quad Phase Detection (Super QPD) technology enhances autofocus precision by analyzing horizontal and vertical phase variances. To deliver superior dynamic range and HDR performance, the JN5 incorporates Dual Slope Gain (DSG) technology, which boosts and converts light signals to broaden the color gamut. Additionally, it features hardware remosaic algorithms for swift capture and real-time zoom previews, making it suitable for front-facing, telephoto, or ultrawide camera applications.
Jesuk Lee, the Executive Vice President and CTO of the System LSI Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics, expressed excitement about the advancements in camera sensor technology, emphasizing the company’s commitment to enhancing the imaging capabilities of smartphones.
