OmniVision Announces New Image Sensor

OmniVision has announced the OV50A image sensor. Its Quad Phase Detection (QPD) autofocus technology and on-chip remosaic enables 2x2 phase detection autofocus (PDAF) across the sensor’s entire image array.

The OV50A image sensor combines a large 1.0 micron pixel size, selective conversion gain’s low-noise, high conversion gain mode, and its distinction as OmniVision’s first high end mobile sensor to be offered in the large 1/1.5”optical format. Additionally, this sensor offers HDR through 2- and 3- exposure staggered HDR timing, along with selective conversion gain for the optimum balance between low-light image quality a nd HDR.

Built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus-S stacked die technology, the OV50A integrates an on-chip, QPD colour filter array and hardware remosaic, which provides reportedly improved autofocus performance, 50MP Bayer output or 8K video in real time. This sensor can also use near-pixel binning to output a 12.5MP image for 4K2K video with four times the sensitivity, yielding 2.0 micron-equivalent performance for preview and video. In either case, the OV50A captures quality images and enables 2x digital crop zoom with 12.5MP resolution and fast mode switch. Output formats include 50MP, or 8K video, with QPD autofocus at 30 frames per second (fps), 12.5MP with QPD autofocus at 60fps, 4K2K video with QPD autofocus at 90fps, 1080p at 240fps and 720p at 480fps. All of these options can be output at up to 3.5 Gsps per trio, over the sensor’s CPHY MIPI interface. Reports suggest that samples for OV50A are expected in Q2 2021.