by Mat Dirjish
Sony Semiconductor Solutions is releasing its IMX908 4K CMOS image sensor for security cameras, which it claims has the industry’s smallest 1.45 µm lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) pixels. Reportedly, the sensor employs newly-developed LOFIC pixels to achieve 96-dB dynamic range imaging at 4K resolution with a single exposure.
The LOFIC structure promises more efficient charge accumulation and voltage conversion than conventional products, contributing to greater sensor saturation charge and better low-light performance. The structure also enables 1.45 µm single pixels, delivering 4K resolution imaging on a compact 1/2.8-type sensor.
Left: Single exposure imaging on a conventional product, Right: Single exposure imaging on IMX908
According to Sony, expanding the amount of saturated charge to nearly 20x that of conventional components, the IMX908 can accumulate more charge to enable lower highlight blowout when shooting under strong light sources. It can also convert voltage from less light with an approximately 27% improvement in low-light performance.
Left: Single exposure imaging on a conventional product, Right: Single exposure imaging on IMX908
Additionally, the sensor achieves a high dynamic range via a single exposure method. Compared to a multiple exposure method, which composites multiple images captured at different exposure settings, the single exposure method reduces artifacts and supports high-speed output. For deeper details, peruse the IMX908 product page.
Left: Multiple exposure imaging on a conventional product (artifacts observed), Right: Single exposure imaging on IMX908 (fewer artifacts)
Mat Dirjish Online 