Sony has introduced a new medium format sensor that is capable of 247MP (MegaPixels) and 19,680 X 13,308 resolution. The new CMOS rolling shutter sensor is titled IMX811 and is aimed at industrial applications. Nevertheless, also the Fujifilm medium format cameras, Hasselblad, and Phase One use these ‘industrial CMOS’ from Sony. Hence, there’s a chance these mega specs will be implemented on a cinema camera as well.

Sony’s new 247MP 19K CMOS

Sony has introduced a new super-specs medium-format rolling shutter back-illuminated CMOS sensor titled IMX811. As described by Sony: “The IMX811 is a diagonal 64.84mm CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel array and 247 effective pixels. This sensor incorporates a maximum 24 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter. The 16-bit digital output makes it possible to read the signals of 247 effective pixels at a speed of 5.3 frames-per-second in all pixel readout mode”. Thus, at this stage, the sensor is aimed for still rather than video. The sensor can output 12FPS at 12-bit, although it’s not enough for video, which demands at least 24FPS (specs are below).

Nevertheless, Sony can adapt and release more versions of this sensor to output 24FPS and beyond. Thus, let’s look at the bigger picture here. The IMX811 is a 19K mage pixel rolling shutter back-illuminated CMOS, with the size of Fujifilm’s and Hasselblad’s medium format sensors, but with a much higher resolution and pixel number.

What will Sony do with it?

Well, now that the technology is there, it can be utilized and adapted to Sony’s high-end mirrorless and Cinema Line cameras. Interestingly, a few weeks ago we published an article with the headline “Will Sony Ever Release a Medium-Format Cinema Camera?”, suggesting that Sony will start focusing on medium-format sensors that can produce high-quality images. And then the IMX811 has been released. There’s still a long way to go to full implementation, however, the potential is obvious, not just for medium format cinematography, but for ultra-high-resolution imagery as well.