OmniVision reveals new 50MP OV50M40 CMOS sensor with staggered HDR and low-light capabilities

OmniVision has introduced the OV50M40, a new 50-megapixel CMOS image sensor designed for smartphones. The sensor uses advanced 0.61-micron pixel technology to deliver high-res images. OmniVision states that it's suitable for various camera applications, including front, main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses.

The OV50M40 is built on OmniVision's PureCel Plus-S stacked-die technology, which enhances low-light performance and reduces power consumption. As per the company, PureCel Plus-S achieves this by improving sensitivity, angular response, and full-well capacity. It further reduces the noise for better SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and higher dynamic range, potentially helping the sensor capture clear images in challenging lighting conditions.

The OV50M40 supports multiple output formats, such as 10-bit RGB RAW for normal mode, 12/14-bit for HDR, and 8-bit for ultra-low power modes, allowing it to adapt to different imaging needs. Key features include staggered high dynamic range (HDR) and dual analog gain (DAG) HDR, which translates to higher detail in images across a variety of lighting environments. It further enables 2x or 3x high-quality crop zoom for telephoto camera with fast mode switch.

The sensor has an always-on function for motion detection with minimal power usage. The OV50M40 is expected to commence mass production towards the end of the year, featuring an optical format of 1/2.88 inches, a maximum image transfer rate of 12 frames per second at full resolution, and an operating temperature range of -30°C to +85°C.