Samsung introduces 1.4-micron 50 megapixel ISOCELL GN2 sensor

     Samsung Electronics has unveiled a new generation of 50 megapixel ISOCELL GN2 image sensor with a large 1.4μm (micron) pixel. Compared to the previous generation ISOCELL GN1, the ISOCELL GN2 can achieve up to 100 million pixels of ultra-high definition photo output, and can improve the focus ability with the full pixel dual-core focus Pro technology. In addition, ISOCELL GN2 can also achieve more vivid image effects in different lighting environments through line interweaving HDR and intelligent ISO Pro technology.

     Jang Deok-hyun, executive vice president of the Sensor business at Samsung Electronics, said: "ISOCELL image sensors and related technologies have made great strides to deliver better picture quality and performance. The ISOCELL GN2 supports full-pixel dual-core Focus Pro technology, a creative omni-directional autofocus solution that once again boosts the sensor's focus speed. "Coupled with smart ISO Pro and other advanced pixel technologies, photos taken with the ISOCELL GN2 sensor will go to the next level of fidelity."

     With a 1/1.12-inch outsole, the ISOCELL GN2 sensor is very powerful. In addition to taking 50 million 1.4μm (micron) pixels in the normal environment, the ISOCELL GN2 can form a large pixel of 2.8μm (micron) at night or in low light environments such as indoors. This absorbs more light, resulting in brighter, sharper photos.

     The ISOCELL GN2 also offers up to 100 megapixels of photo output for users who value more detail or require a lot of post-processing. In 100 megapixel mode, ISOCELL GN2 uses intelligent algorithms to rearrange green, red, and blue pixels to produce three separate, single-frame images, which are then enlarged and merged to produce a single ultra HD photo with a resolution of up to 100 megapixels.

     The ISOCELL GN2 is Samsung's first image sensor to feature full-pixel dual-core focus Pro technology, Samsung's most advanced phase detection autofocus solution to date. The technology places two photodiodes in each pixel of the image sensor to achieve ultra-fast autofocus through 100 million phase detection points. In addition, compared with the vertical pixel segmentation method used in the previous full-pixel dual-core focus, the full-pixel dual-core focus Pro's all-round focus has been upgraded to a diagonal pixel segmentation method, which allows the focus to better identify the upper and lower parts of the picture, so that even if there is no dynamic change in the horizontal direction of the picture, it can still achieve fast focusing effect. Since each pixel of the sensor has a built-in focus point, the ISOCELL GN2 significantly improves low-light focus and moving target tracking.

     For environments with complex lighting levels, such as sunsets or indoor sunlight, ISOCELL GN2 again improves dynamic range with single-frame line-by-line HDR. This is a sequential multiplex HDR technology that can capture long, medium and short exposure effects and fuse them in one shot. By maximizing dynamic range, it presents richer details, more vivid colors and brighter light effects in dark scenes, becoming the most ideal solution for high-contrast scene shooting. Compared to the previous real-time HDR, the line interleaving HDR can reduce the power consumption of the sensor by 24%, from reducing the power consumption of the entire image system.

     In addition, ISOCELL GN2 also supports two functions: Smart ISO and Smart ISO Pro. The intelligent ISO can intelligently select the ISO of the shooting scene, automatically reduce the ISO value in the outdoor environment with sufficient light, and automatically increase the ISO value when the indoor light is dim. At the same time, unlike smart ISO, which can only set a single ISO value, another smart ISO Pro can set the highest and lowest ISO values in the shooting scene at the same time, shooting images with higher dynamic range. In addition, in extremely dark environments, intelligent ISO Pro can also achieve multi-frame high-speed continuous shooting under high ISO, increasing the ISO speed to close to 1 million, further improving the night shooting effect.

     With the Samsung ISOCELL GN2 sensor, not only will the photo taking experience become more fun and creative, but there will also be significant progress in video shooting. The ISOCELL GN2 sensor supports FHD/480fps or 4K/120fps high-quality video shooting, bringing more possibilities for short video creation and video social fans.