OmniVision Announces New 50 Megapixel Image Sensor OV50E

     OmniVision released a new 50 megapixel image sensor, the OV50E. It is reported that this sensor can provide the industry-leading low light image and high dynamic range (HDR) video capture capability for the rear camera of high-end smartphones. Interleaved HDR and DCG for OV50E  The technology can further support HDR and cropping scaling, 100% four phase detection (QPD) can enhance the auto focusing function, and the low light performance is better than the previous generation image sensor. The new OV50E combines 50 megapixel resolution and 1.0 micron pixel size in a 1/1.5 inch optical format.

     The OV50E uses staggered HDR and patented DCG technology to expand the dynamic range, reduce motion artifacts under challenging lighting conditions, and provide single exposure HDR support function with built-in dual conversion gain combination. The maximum dynamic range can reach more than 100dB. In addition, the second generation QPD of OV50E can realize 2x2 phase detection auto focusing (PDAF) on the entire sensor image array, with a coverage rate of 100%, thus improving the distance calculation accuracy, auto focusing speed and low light performance. The on chip pixel restoration algorithm for QPD color filter array is combined with full Bayer resolution to further achieve high image quality.

     James Liu, Senior Product Marketing Manager, OmniVision, said: "Video is increasingly becoming the most important source of information for people, and smart phones are gradually replacing professional video capture equipment. However, the zoom performance of smart phones has never been ideal. The OV50E image sensor supports video HDR cropping and scaling, helping users seamlessly switch between full resolution and smaller resolution, and achieve full HDR functions. In addition to the industry-leading low light static image performance, only one mobile phone can meet Consumer needs. "

     The OV50E image sensor integrates 1.0 μ m large pixel size, built-in advanced noise reduction technology and high gain mode support functions, and can provide excellent low light performance. The OV50E can achieve up to 64 times the analog gain (for full resolution) or 256 times the analog gain (for four in one pixel combined resolution). The OV50E adopts the PureCel Plus-S chip stacking technology of Howell Group. It can also use the near pixel merging function to output 12.5 million pixel images or 4K/2K videos with four times sensitivity, and achieve the equivalent performance of 2.0 microns for preview and video. In any case, the OV50E can continuously capture high-quality images, and enable 2 times of digital cropping scaling with smaller resolution and fast mode switching.

     The output formats of OV50E include 50 million pixels or 8K video (QPD autofocus, 30 frames/s), 12.5 million pixels (QPD autofocus, 60 frames/s), 4K/2K video (QPD autofocus, 60 frames/s), and 1080p video (240 frames/s). The OV50E supports the CPHY/DPHY MIPI interface and dual DOVDD (1.8V and 1.2V).