OmniVision has the first image sensor to use its entire area for phase focusing

OmniVision Technologies introduced the OV50A image sensor. This 1 / 1.5-inch optical format sensor has 50MP resolution and 1.0μm pixels. A key feature of the sensor is support for four-phase autofocus (QPD) and coverage of the entire frame with phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) pixels.

Unlike other PDAF technologies that only cover 3-6% of the sensor’s area with focus pixels, QPD pixels cover the entire area. This makes autofocus faster and more accurate.

The sensor is equipped with built-in debayering means. Large pixel sizes result in low noise. In addition, the sensor supports HDR, offers selective conversion gain for an optimal balance between low-light image quality and HDR. Capable of shooting 8K video at 30 fps, 4K2K video with four adjacent pixels at 60 fps, 4K2K video at 90 fps, 1080p at 240 fps and 720p at 480 fps … The sensor is equipped with a CPHY MIPI interface with a bandwidth of 3.5 Gbps.

OV50A samples should be available in the second quarter of 2021. According to the manufacturer, OV50A will find wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle main camera modules in high-end smartphones.

…