Samsung Announces ISOCELL GN1 50MP Sensor with Bigger Pixels

Samsung has been offering its own high megapixels camera sensor in recent times. First, they introduced a 48MP sensor, then 64MP, and then a 108MP sensor.

Now, Samsung has announced a 50MP Isocell GN1 camera sensor. It doesn’t bump up resolution but it bumps up the pixel size.

Larger Pixel Size, Better Low Light Performance

The ISCOCELL GN1 offers a larger 1/1.31 sensor size and 1.2μm pixel size compared to 0.8 micro pixels seen in Samsung’s other high-resolution sensors.

Bigger pixel size means that the new sensor can gather more light and it will ultimately produce better low-light photos.

The new GN1 sensor also makes use of Tetracell technology. According to Samsung, Tetracell doubles the pixel size to 2.4μm and quadruples the light sensitivity to take brighter 12.5MP photos.

Dual Pixel Technology and 100MP Images

Except for the bigger sensor size and Tetracell technology, Samsung GN1 also includes Dual Pixel technology. It’s the first sensor to offer both Dual Pixel Phase Detection autofocus and Tetracell technology.

The GN1 brings best-in-class auto-focusing ith 100 million Phase-Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF) agents. This brings improved focus as GN1 can detect and focus onto a desired still or moving object from every corner in an instant, even in low-light conditions.

When capturing images, a single-pixel output is created by merging the outputs from two photodiodes within the pixel. Not, only this but Samsung also provides a software algorithm that takes light information from each photodiode to produce image resolutions comparable to 100MP.

What Else Does GN1 Sensor Feature?

Other than the features discussed earlier, the GN1 comes with Smart-ISo that intelligently selects the optimal ISO, real-time HDR that captures the scene in multiple exposures simultaneously, and gyro0based Electronic Image Dtabilization (EIS) that takes sharp images and video.

Along with this, it supports video recording at up to 8k resolutions at 30 fps, 400fps video at 1080p without autofocus (240fps with autofocus).

Samsung has started the mass production of the GN1 sensor this month. So, we might see this sensor in major phones after Q3 2020.

Samsung GN1 is a separate direction to where Samsung was headed with 108MP high res sensors. The new GN1 sensor is sort of an offering that rivals Sony’s IMX689 sensor seen in new phones like OnePlus 8 Pro and Oppo Find X2 Pro.

But this doesn’t mean Samsung is abandoning the megapixel race. We will definitely see high megapixel sensors in the future. Samsung has even stated it’s a long term goal to offer 600MP camera of some kind down the line.