Sony’s new Exmor T stacked CMOS image sensor is a game-changer for mobile photography. The imaging tech, featured in Sony Xperia 1 V flagship phone, utilizes a groundbreaking two-layer transistor pixel design that seriously ups the ante on light capture and noise reduction. According to Sony, the new sensor can collect way more light and cut down noise compared to traditional single-layer sensors, preventing over or under-exposure even in mixed lighting and supposedly producing images comparable to full-frame Sony cameras.
The new sensor comes with a 2-Layer Transistor Pixel, which combines a Transistor Light layer with a Transistor Pixel layer, resulting in superior image quality. This technology captures more light and reduces image noise, providing greater detail and clarity to your photos, Sony released an official video introduction.
Size 1/1.35-inch sensor has an insane 52 megapixels 4.3:3 ratio, though that crazy pixel count is only used for 4K video—for stills and regular video, it outputs a still ridiculous 48MP at a 4:3 aspect ratio. same 4:3 ratio is used when taking pictures, and the 4 in 1 output is then combined to create a 12MP images.
The mobile image sensor also brings a ton of features from Sony’s pro cameras to the mobile realm, including S-Cinetone color profiles, a product showcase mode, actual optical zoom, real-time eye and object tracking autofocus, and 30fps continuous shooting.
Sony’s new Exmor T CMOS Image Sensor could make the Sony Xperia 1 V phones to beat for mobile photography and videography. Of course, megapixels and features only go so far—a lot will depend on how Sony’s new image processing algorithms capitalize on the advanced hardware. But on specs alone, the new sensor suggests Sony is dead serious about transforming phones into powerful creative tools for photography and filmmaking. The mobile image quality arms race just kicked into overdrive, and Sony may have fired the first shot.