OmniVision has introduced the OV50X, a cutting-edge 50MP 1-inch camera sensor designed for high-end smartphones, boasting the industry’s highest dynamic range and “movie-grade” video capabilities. Featuring 1.6µm pixels and supporting 4-in-1 binning for a 12.5MP resolution at 180fps, it achieves nearly 110dB dynamic range using innovative TheiaCel technology. The sensor can record 8K video utilizing Dual Analog Gain HDR, enhancing detail in both shadows and highlights while minimizing artifacts. With 100% Quad Phase Detection autofocus and in-sensor zoom, the OV50X is currently under evaluation and is expected to enter mass production by Q3 2025.
1-inch sensors have become less common in recent years, yet they continue to be featured in premium camera phones. For these top-tier devices, only superior quality will suffice, which is why OmniVision has introduced a new sensor boasting the highest dynamic range in the industry along with “movie-grade” video recording capabilities.
The OmniVision OV50X is a 50MP sensor with a 1” optical format, featuring impressive 1.6µm pixels prior to binning. It supports 4-in-1 binning (yielding a 12.5MP output resolution) at a remarkable 180fps and is capable of three-channel HDR at 60fps.
Regarding HDR, this sensor provides a dynamic range “approaching 110dB,” which is the peak achievable in a smartphone format, according to OmniVision. This achievement is attributed to the TheiaCel design, initially developed for an OmniVision sensor used in the automotive sector (imagine navigating through a dark tunnel on a bright day).
8K video recording is possible with Dual Analog Gain (DAG) HDR. DAG employs a one-frame HDR technique – applying high gain to enhance shadow details and low gain to maintain highlight clarity, before merging that into a cohesive HDR outcome. This method minimizes artifacts that could arise from multi-frame fusion HDR.
The OmniVision OV50X combines multiple HDR technologies
It’s important to note that Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) represents a different HDR approach that the sensor can utilize. LOFIC (lateral overflow integration capacitor) is a feature within TheiaCel that aids HDR performance and reduces flickering from LED lights (such as those found in billboards and traffic signals).
The OV50X also incorporates in-sensor zoom, offering added versatility for the phone’s main camera. Additionally, it features 100% coverage Quad Phase Detection (QPD) autofocus, ensuring rapid and reliable focus locking.
The OmniVision OV50X is currently under evaluation by technology firms and is anticipated to enter mass production in Q3 2025, paving the way for the first smartphones equipped with this sensor to launch before the year’s end.
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