Sony announced today the upcoming release of a large format (56.73mm diagonal) global shutter CMOS sensor “IMX661”, which is the world’s highest pixel count CMOS image sensor equipped with a global shutter (effective pixel count of 127.68MP).

Large Format 127.68MP Global Shutter Sensor

This sensor features an increased pixel count that yields an optical size nearly 10 times larger than the common 1.1-type image sensor corresponded to the C mount for industrial equipment. It also features Sony’s original global shutter pixel technology “Pregius, which enables the capture of motion distortion-free images. The sampling of the new IMX661 sensor is planned for April 2021.

“Pregius” = Precision + GS (Global Shutter)

Pregius is a global shutter pixel technology based on Sony’s low-noise CCD structure. Active pixel CMOS image sensors used in these products produce high-quality images. This technology was named Pregius to represent the combination of the low-noise performance of CCD with the high-speed and high-precision performance (Precision GS) and global shutter (GS) acquisition. One major benefit of Pregius is high-quality imaging at high speeds.

The new sensor couples the Pregius technology with the 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal) large optical size, delivering an increased pixel count and motion distortion-free imaging.

Sony

Resolution, speed, and picture quality

The new sensor couples the Pregius technology with the 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal) large optical size, delivering an increased pixel count and motion distortion-free imaging. The original device configuration, which employs a chip-on-wafer process, together with Sony’s original interface technology, enables high-speed readout nearly four times faster than conventional products in full-pixel readout mode. This design delivers highly efficient imaging that captures a wide viewing angle with no motion distortion in a single imaging operation. It also improves recognition precision thanks to high-resolution imaging and delivers a high level of processing performance.

The World’s largest global shutter CMOS sensor

As explained. this sensor features a large optical size of 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal), nearly 10 times larger than the common 1.1-type image sensor corresponded to the C mount lens for industrial equipment with a pixel size of 3.45 μm, resulting in a massive pixel count of 127.68 megapixels, which is the industry’s highest for a CMOS image sensor equipped with a global shutter.

Possible implementations

Although the IMX661is designed for industrial applications, its potential in high quality, high-speed large-format imagery acquisition is clear. It is well expected that Sony will utilize this sensor on its high-end mirrorless cameras to enhance image capturing capabilities. Still, it’s the “world’s largest global shutter CMOS sensor”.