OMNIVISION introduces new 50MP image sensor with low light and autofocus performance for high-end mobile phones

OMNIVISION, a global developer of semiconductor solutions, including advanced digital imaging, analog and touch & display technology, announced its new OV50H, a high-resolution 50-megapixel (MP) image sensor with a dual conversion gain (DCG) technology powered 1.2- micron (µm) pixel in a 1/1.3-inch optical format, designed for high-end smartphone rear-facing cameras. The OV50H offers flagship-level low-light and autofocus performance, supports 12.5 MP at 120 frames per second (fps) and high dynamic range (HDR) at 60 fps and is OMNIVISION’s first sensor to feature horizontal/vertical (H/V) quad phase detection (QPD).

“Smartphone OEMs are aiming to introduce devices with incredible cameras that provide excellent image quality, fast autofocus and impressive HDR capabilities. The growing demand for 50MP CIS products that feature a large pixel size and bigger optical formats presents an opportunity for smartphone OEMs to launch devices that deliver exceptional camera performance. Our research finds that Smartphone CIS products with 50MP+ resolution are estimated to surpass 800 million units in shipments in 2023,” said Jeffrey Mathews, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, now part of TechInsights.

“The OV50H addresses market demand for superior camera performance in next-generation smartphone designs with larger optical formats,” said Arun Jayaseelan, senior product marketing manager, OMNIVISION. “Consumers continually want image and video quality improvements in their new phones. The OV50H combines high resolution, large pixel size and high dynamic range to deliver premium image preview and 8K video with onchip remosaic. In addition, it offers the best low-light and autofocus performance in its class.”

The OV50H is built on OMNIVISION’s PureCel®Plus-S stacked-die technology for best-in-class image sensor performance. It features OMNIVISION’s first H/V QPD autofocus technology. QPD enables 2×2 phase detection autofocus (PDAF) across the sensor’s entire image array, and H/V mode ensures that both horizontal and vertical orientations are in the same frame with 100% coverage. This feature improves distance calculation, provides faster autofocus and enhances low-light performance. In combination with on-chip remosaic for the QPD color filter array, the result is premium image quality for the wide and ultrawide rear-facing cameras in flagship and high-end smartphones.

Key Features of the OV50H:
• 4-cell binning enables 12.5M mode for video and preview with 2.4µm equivalent sensitivity for excellent
low-light performance; supports up to 120fps with 4x low-light sensitivity
• 8K video with on-chip remosaic; 4K + EIS at 120fps linear and 60fps HDR
• DCG HDR with on-chip combination and staggered HDR support for flexibility of different HDR modes
depending on scene; supports staggered HDR in crop zoom mode

• Capability to achieve 12.5M at 30fps HDR with 100+dB dynamic range when using DCG + very short
staggered exposure HDR or 3-exp staggered HDR
• H/V QPD support for best-in-class autofocus
• Full 50MP Bayer output and 2x crop zoom functionality