ISOCELL, whose parent company is Samsung, is releasing two new image sensors — ISOCELL Fast 2L9 and ISOCELL Slim 2×7.
It’s currently unknown whether these are the same 1000fps sensors I reported on last month (opens in new tab).
The Fast 2L9 promises fast autofocusing in all conditions, even low light. As with the sensor in the Pixel 2, this fast, versatile focusing is obtained using dual-pixel tech.
Dual-pixel sensors have a left and right diode for each pixel which allows the sensor to obtain minute depth data. This additional data is then used by the CPU for processing. Dual-pixel data is used for focusing, subject tracking, and for creating bokeh (blur).
Up until recently, this tech was only found in expensive Canon SLRs, and Sony has also now patented their own dual-pixel technology for possible use in upcoming sensors.
The Fast 2L9 is a 1/2.9″ sized 12MP sensor, giving each pixel a size of 1.28µm.
The Slim 2X7 is created for fitting into very thin devices and carries a whopping 24MP with each pixel at 0.9µm.
Many theorize that generally, bigger pixels are desired for better low light shooting, but Samsung has devised a low light shooting mode, dubbed Tetracell by Samsung. Tetracell uses pixel binning, (combining charges of adjacent pixels) from every four pixels. So instead of data from one pixel, an average of four is used. While this does reduce resolution, it improves sensitivity and cleans up noise.
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