New ISOCELL Image Sensors Level Up Smartphone Photography

Getting the perfect image—one that captures the right moment, accurately—really matters, especially in such a rapidly changing world. Get to know two of Samsung’s newest image sensors, which offer faster auto-focus and better, clearer, and more vibrant images, even in challenging or varied lighting conditions. And if that weren’t enough, both the ISOCELL HM3 and GN2 use less energy than previous generations, reducing smartphone battery drain. Samsung ISOCELL HM3 At 108Mp, the ISOCELL HM3 delivers extremely high-res images. With enhanced, faster auto-focus, it also maintains image crispness even when capturing subjects in motion or in low light. In scenes with mixed lighting levels (such as an image with bright sunlight and shadows), the ISOCELL HM3 automatically captures and fuses multiple exposures—or combines pixels for better light sensitivity—to help you capture every detail with greater clarity. Samsung ISOCELL GN2 ISOCELL GN2 captures more light to give you brighter, clearer photos. With ISOCELL Plus technology for lifelike color, and remosaic technology for maximizing details, ISOCELL GN2’s resolution can reach 50MP, and it can upscale to 100MP. Faster auto-focus Life moves pretty fast (Bueller, Ferris, 1986). So fast, in fact, that it can be tough to catch that action shot before the moment has passed. That’s why our new ISOCELL sensors are designed with faster auto-focus and provide more precise images. _HM3 – For faster auto-focus, the HM3 integrates an improved Super PD Plus feature that helps increase phase detection focusing agents’ measurement accuracy by 50%. Enhanced phase detection auto-focusing (PDAF) keeps moving subjects in sharp focus and delivers optimum results in dark environments. _GN2 – Building on Samsung’s existing bidirectional (left-right) Dual Pixel technology, the ISOCELL GN2’s Dual Pixel Pro auto-focus uses additional diagonally split photodiodes to detect and compare the top-bottom and left-right image phases—giving you optimal focus in an instant. When filming in Full HD, the GN2 records at a whopping 480fps, producing truly cinematic slow-motion videos. Want to film in 8K? The GN2 has you covered.

Clearer images in mixed lighting Ever taken a picture of a sunset and been completely disappointed at the disparity between the stunning colors you see and the wan, shadowy image on your smartphone’s camera roll? The ISOCELL sensors are specially designed to help maintain image detail and vibrancy in mixed light, high-contrast shots. _HM3 – For mixed lighting or dark environments, the HM3 comes equipped with Smart-ISO Pro. Smart-ISO Pro works by capturing two frames of each photo: one in high ISO, and one in low ISO. It then merges both images into one image in 12-bit color depth, while reducing noise and artifacts. Read more about Smart ISO Pro. The HM3 also takes advantage of 9-pixel binning for heightened light sensitivity. Binning is a process that groups neighboring pixels together to create larger pixels, which is great for taking photos in low light. Switching between binned (large pixels) mode and high-resolution 108Mp (individual pixels) mode is totally seamless.

_GN2 – Staggered HDR allows each pixel to capture frames in short, middle, and long exposures for every image; complex algorithms combine the different exposures to provide a balanced picture. You get more vibrant colors and richer details in both shadows and highlights. The GN2 can also maximize light reception by combining every 4 pixels into one big, 2.8μm pixel. Smart-ISO optimizes ISO settings, while an image-processing algorithm minimizes noise, producing brighter, clearer images. Less energy demand Using your smartphone’s camera can really drain your phone’s battery. With every generation of new image sensors, Samsung develops more efficient power usage protocols to reduce energy consumption. _HM3 – Optimized to reduce energy usage under preview mode by 6.5%, increasing power efficiency in the smartphone. _GN2 – Staggered HDR drops the GN2’s energy consumption of a sensor by as much as 24%. From selfies to sunsets, sports highlights to indoor low lights, each new generation of Samsung image sensors raises the bar for brilliant smartphone photography. Learn more about Samsung images sensor offerings.