CMOS image sensors that feature an integrated ‘RGBW Coding’ function have been developed by Sony Corporation. This allows images to be captured with low noise and high picture quality even in low-light conditions. The devices also contain an ‘HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie’ function, which allows brilliant colour to be captured even in bright settings.
A model with built-in signal processing functionality has also been developed. This is an element that usually needs to be embedded externally.
With camera functionality as standard on many devices now, casual picture taking is an everyday thing and as a result there is demand for cameras to be able to shoot in a diverse range of settings. In particular, consumers want to be able to take pictures easily in both dim and bright light conditions both in-door and outside.
The two new models integrate a ‘RGBW Coding’ function, which enables high-sensitivity shooting even in low-light conditions and a ‘HDR Movie’ function enables image capture or video across a broad range of low-light to bright-light conditions.
Previously, using W (White) pixels improved sensitivity but consequentially degraded image quality. However, the company’s in-house device technology and signal processing was able to achieve a high-level of sensitivity without affecting image quality.
While the individual pixels of the devices are extremely small at 1.12um, the ‘RBGW Coding’ function enables an SN ratio (signal-to-noise ratio) equivalent to that of a unit pixel size of 1.4um under conventional methods, which in turn has resulted in a higher resolution in a more compact size than other available image sensors.
Sony Corporation
