Samsung introduces the ISOCELL HP1, which offers industry-first 200MP (16,384 x 12,288) resolution, with a goal to revolutionize 8K videography in smartphones. All details are below.
Samsung ISOCELL HP1: 200MP sensor and enhanced 8K videos
Samsung has introduced the ISOCELL HP1, the industry’s first 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor with 0.64μm pixels. “Samsung has been pioneering ultrafine pixel technologies that are taking high-resolution image sensors to the next level,” said Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. According to Samsung, the ISOCELL HP1 outputs an astonishing amount of detail that helps the image stay sharp even when cropped or resized.
Samsung has been pioneering ultrafine pixel technologies that are taking high-resolution image sensors to the next level.
Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics
ChameleonCell technology
For low-light photography, the ISOCELL HP1 features an all-new ChameleonCell technology, a pixel-binning technology that uses a two-by-two, four-by-four, or full pixel layout depending on the environment. In a low-lit environment, the HP1 transforms into a 12.5MP image sensor with large 2.56μm pixels by merging 16 neighboring pixels. The newly formed 2.56μm pixel is capable of more light absorption and sensitivity, producing brighter and clearer photos indoors or in the evening. In bright outdoor environments, the sensor’s 200-million pixels can capture ultra-high-definition photography on mobile devices.
Video capabilities: 8K 30FPS
The ISOCELL HP1 can take 8K videos at 30 frames-per-second (fps) with minimum loss in the field of view. The HP1 merges four neighboring pixels to bring the resolution down to 50MP or 8,192 x 6,144 to take 8K (7,680 x 4,320) videos without the need to crop or scale down the full image resolution. This allows the recording of detail-rich 8K videos at 30fps and pulls stunning images. You can also record 4K videos at 120fps for slow-motion.
Possible implementation: The Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the potential host for the ISOCELL HP1. This flagship smartphone will be launched in a couple of months, which makes sense since the samples of ISOCELL HP1 are currently available. The Galaxy S22 Ultra render images published by LetsGoDigital showcase how Samsung is going to focus on the camera capabilities. Although the renders show a 200MP Olympus camera sensor, it was rendered before this ISOCELL HP1 announcement. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that Samsung aims to bring high-quality 8K imagery, packed into a smartphone, and that is its main focus, which is sharpening the mobile video capture technologies. We’ll have to wait and see if the anticipated Galaxy S22 Ultra will be armed with this sensor.
What do you think about this 200MP sensor? Also, what are your thoughts about shooting 8K videos on a smartphone? Is it necessary?
While I think you are properly on track with the whole 8k mobile acquisition game (hence why it is likely the S22 being the first receiver of the sensor), the image itself actually proves it more than you wrote, because it is not stated that this would be an Olympus sensor, it clearly writes Olympus optics. Which makes even more sense given the history of the brand. I don‘t know shit though about Olympus sensors in their cameras really, my best guess is they buy some OEM optimized to their specs, ultimately something that could be found elsewhere in the spectrum. But the glass remains a living legend!
Thx. The image was rendered before the HP1 announcement. But yes, the optics could be Olympus. However, it’s not 100% sure that the S22 Ultra will get it. Cheers.