Image sensor has selfie-awareness
A 0.7 micron pixel smartphone image sensor from OmniVision Technologies brings 32Mpixel resolution, which enables smartphone designers to offer the highest possible front-facing camera resolution (for selfies), in the space available.
Announced in advance of the CES consumer show in Las Vegas this month, Omnivision adds that the OV32B provides 32Mpixel resolution in a 1/3-inch optical format to meet the space constraints of smartphones.
The OV32B also supports two- and three-exposure HDR timing for up to 8MP video modes and still previews. Additionally, it integrates a four-cell colour filter array and on-chip hardware re-mosaic, which provides 32Mpixel Bayer output in real time.
According to Arun Jayaseelan, staff marketing manager at OmniVision, the OV32B “strikes the perfect balance between small size and high resolution that the designers of these cameras are looking for.”
The OV32B is built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus stacked die technology, providing still image captures and 1080p video recordings at 180 frames per second (fps). In low light conditions, it can use near-pixel binning to output an 8Mpixel image with four times the sensitivity, offering 1.4 micron pixel equivalent performance for previews and still captures.
OmniVision claims that the OV32B can also consistently capture the best quality images while enabling seamless fast mode switch and multi-camera sync. These features are also useful for rear facing, telephoto smartphone cameras as well as front-facing selfie cameras.
There is also the option to integrated type-2 2×2 microlens phase detection auto focus (ML-PDAF) to boost the accuracy of the autofocus feature, especially in low light. The OV32B also provides a CPHY interface for greater throughput using fewer pins, as well as a DPHY interface. Output formats include 32Mpixel at 15 frames per second and 8Mpixel at 60 frames per second and 6Mpixels (16:9) at 90 frames per second; all with four-cell binning. The sensor can output 1080p video at 120 frames per second, 1.5Mpixel captures (16:9) at 240 frames per second and 720p video at 360 frames per second.
Samples of the OV32B image sensor are available now.
