Get ready. Smartphone cameras are about to get a whole lot faster.
Today, OmniVision Technologies Inc. has announced its latest imaging sensor, a 16-megapixel 1/2.4-inch module capable of capturing full resolution photos at a blazing 45 frames per second.
The new sensor, officially called OV16860, is the first image sensor built on OmniVision’s new PureCel Plus-S architecture, which offers larger 1.3-micron pixels, 33% higher pixel saturation levels and a 40% increase in low-light performance compared to the previous generation.
In terms of image quality, the 16-megapixel sensor is capable of capturing photos at 45 frames per second, 4K and 2K video at 60 frames per second and 1080p video at 120 frames per second.
Diagram of the sensor’s construction.
Despite being more powerful than its predecessors, it uses 40% less battery power, a huge benefit considering cameras are oftentimes a major drain on smartphones. Also, in addition to smartphones, OmniVision expects this sensor to make its way into action cams as well.
Apple or GoPro won’t be using these modules — both rely almost solely on Sony — but there’s a good chance we’ll see them in other mainstream options not too far off. OmniVision says production will start ‘before the end of the year’, an unusual phrase considering they released the information on the last day of 2015.
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