Sony's new mobile image sensor tech delivers better dynamic range and less noise
Sony's new mobile image sensor tech delivers better dynamic range and less noise
Sony announced it has successfully developed the world's first stacked CMOS image sensor technology with 2-layer transistor pixel.
Compared to conventional CMOS image sensors' photodiodes and pixel transistors that occupy the same substrate, Sony's implementation separates the photodiodes and pixel transistors on different substrate layers. This allows the different layers to each be optimised, and hence doubling the saturation signal level and widening dynamic range.
In addition, the amp transistors can be increased in size as they no longer occupy the same substrate layer as the photodiodes. Therefore, image noise can be significantly reduced in nightime and other dark-location settings.
Sony claims existing pixels can maintain or improve their properties even at smaller pixel sizes. This suggests that Sony's new stacked CMOS image sensor technology will come in handy if it decides to offer higher resolution smartphone cameras.
Source: Sony