Sony Semiconductor Solutions has begun shipping samples of the IMX928, a massive global shutter image sensor that pushes resolution and speed into territory rarely seen in distortion-free imaging systems. The update was communicated to industry partners via email and confirms that the sensor has entered the sampling phase, allowing manufacturers to begin evaluating it for integration into future camera systems. With samples now circulating among partners, the IMX928 moves from announcement to real-world hardware.

The IMX928 moves from announcement to sampling

Sample shipments of the IMX928 began in February 2026. In the semiconductor lifecycle, this marks the transition from development into evaluation and integration. Camera manufacturers, robotics companies, and industrial imaging firms can now receive physical sensors and begin testing them in prototype systems. We previously examined the architecture and potential applications of the sensor in Sony Reveals IMX928 Large Format Global Shutter Sensor. That initial reveal focused on the design and capabilities of the device. The sampling milestone now confirms the technology is moving toward actual deployment.

A large-format global shutter design

The IMX928 is unusual because of its physical scale and geometry. The sensor delivers approximately 68 megapixels arranged in a square imaging area of roughly 8256 by 8256 pixels. Sony classifies it as a Type 2.0 optical format sensor, which translates into a diagonal of roughly 31.9 millimeters. This places it far beyond the size of typical machine vision sensors and closer to formats associated with larger photographic imaging systems. The square architecture allows flexible output across multiple aspect ratios. Manufacturers can crop the sensor to generate different video or still formats without sacrificing significant image area. That design is particularly useful in industrial imaging systems where framing requirements can vary depending on the task.

High-speed global shutter capture

The IMX928 belongs to Sony’s Pregius S family of global shutter sensors. In this architecture, every pixel is exposed simultaneously, eliminating rolling shutter distortion such as skew or wobble when capturing fast-moving objects. Despite its extremely high resolution, the sensor maintains impressive readout speeds. According to Sony’s published specifications, the IMX928 can reach approximately 126 frames per second at 10-bit output. This level of performance positions the sensor among the fastest large-format global shutter devices currently available.

Part of Sony’s growing global shutter ecosystem

The IMX928 is part of a broader family of Sony global shutter sensors that includes several related designs optimized for different performance targets. One of those sensors is the IMX929, which we recently explored in Sony IMX929 8K Global Shutter 200FPS. That sensor demonstrates how Sony is pushing frame rates toward extreme territory while maintaining high-resolution capture. Taken together, these sensors illustrate a clear direction. Sony is expanding its global shutter architecture across multiple sensor formats and performance tiers, targeting applications ranging from industrial imaging to advanced machine vision systems.

The significance of the sampling phase

Although the IMX928 is primarily aimed at industrial and machine vision markets, the transition to sample shipments represents a key moment in the product lifecycle. Sampling means manufacturers can begin building and testing systems around the sensor. That process often precedes commercial imaging products by one or two development cycles. In other words, the IMX928 has moved beyond concept and specification sheets. The hardware is now in the hands of engineers, marking the beginning of the next phase in Sony’s global shutter development strategy.