For those who doesn’t know, Samsung actually produces mobile image sensor* for the smartphone industry. Their latest innovation, Samsung ISOCELL HM3, is a 108-megapixel (MP) mobile image sensor is currently featured on the 2021 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Thanks to a wide spectrum of advanced sensor technologies, Samsung claims the sensor can capture sharper and more vivid images in ultra-high resolution with faster auto-focus and extended dynamic range.
The 1/1.33” ISOCELL HM3 with 0.8μm-sized pixels is a new addition to Samsung ISOCELL’s 108MP product line-up. The sensor has an improved Super PD Plus feature for faster auto-focus. What Super PD Plus does is add AF-optimized micro-lenses over the phase detection focusing agents, increasing measurement accuracy of the agents by 50-percent. The enhanced phase detection auto-focusing (PDAF) solution helps to keep moving subjects in sharp focus and delivers optimum results in dark environments.
Smart ISO Pro feature was also added to ISOCELL HM3. It’s a high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging technology which uses an intra-scene dual conversion gain (iDCG) solution. Smart ISO Pro simultaneously captures a frame in both high and low ISO, then merges them into a single image in 12-bit color depth and with reduced noise. As Smart ISO Pro does not require multiple exposure shots to create a standard HDR image, it can significantly reduce motion-artifacts. Together with a low-noise mode, it will improves light sensitivity by 50-percent to capture brighter and clearer results in low-light environments than its predecessor.
The HM3’s pixel layout is especially arranged in three-by-three single color structures suitable for nine-pixel binning. By merging nine neighboring pixels, the 108MP HM3 mimics a 12MP image sensor with large 2.4μm-pixels, heightening light sensitivity when taking photographs in low-light environments. Thanks to improved binning hardware IP, the HM3 supports seamless transitions between 108MP and 12MP resolutions.
Samsung also stated that the sensor has been optimized to reduce energy usage under preview mode by 6.5-percent, offering added power efficiency to the overall mobile device.
Now you know what is powering the behemoth Galaxy S21 Ultra’s main camera, you can experience it by getting one at Malaysia via Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Authorised Partners and Samsung Malaysia Online Store.
*Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color crosstalk between pixels by placing a physical barrier, allowing small-sized pixels to achieve higher color fidelity. Based on this technology, Samsung introduced the industry’s first 1.0um-pixel image sensor in 2015 and a 0.9-pixel sensor in 2017. Samsung continues to enhance its pixel isolation methods with ISOCELL Plus and the ISOCELL 2.0 technologies.