Recently, Sony launched the 50-megapixel CMOS image sensor LYT-828, which features a dynamic range exceeding 100dB. This breakthrough significantly enhances the imaging quality of smartphone photography, particularly in suppressing highlight overexposure, dark noise, and performance in low-light environments, achieving industry-leading levels.LYT-828 achieves a dynamic range of over 100dB through the integration of single-frame HDR (based on dual conversion gain) and multi-frame HDR (merging short exposure frames with dual gain data). This value is at the top level among mobile CMOS sensors, significantly suppressing highlight overexposure and dark underexposure, making the imaging effect closer to human visual perception. For example, in backlit scenes, the sensor can simultaneously capture bright details (such as cloud textures) and dark layers (such as objects in shadows), avoiding the common issues of “bright dead white” or “dark dead black” found in traditional sensors.
The Loss-Less Exposure (LLE) technology optimizes light utilization efficiency and improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially maintaining HDR effects even during zoom. For instance, in 2x zoom mode, the LYT-828 can switch to full resolution mode to maintain dynamic range, ensuring high-quality output in high-contrast scenes, addressing the pain point of quality degradation in traditional sensors during zoom.
By efficiently converting photo-generated charges into voltage, the LYT-828 significantly reduces random noise (RN) in low-light environments, minimizing image graininess. For example, during nighttime shooting, the sensor can capture more dark details (such as starlight or the faint glow of city nightscapes) while maintaining image purity, enhancing the usability of low-light imaging.
The LYT-828 is primarily aimed at the main and secondary cameras of smartphones, with its 1/1.28-inch large sensor design combined with a 50-megapixel resolution to meet users’ demands for high-quality, multi-scene photography. For example, in travel photography, users can capture landscapes (high dynamic range) and portraits (low noise) simultaneously without switching modes, simplifying the operation process.
The sensor features a low-power logic circuit design, supporting HDR functionality to be fully enabled in preview mode and video recording. Users can view HDR effects in real-time on their smartphone screens and capture images consistent with the preview, avoiding the inconsistency issues between preview and final output caused by power limitations in traditional sensors.
Combining HF-HDR and LLE technologies, the LYT-828 can maintain dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio during zoom (such as 2x or 3x optical zoom), ensuring imaging quality in high-contrast scenes. For example, when photographing distant buildings, users can zoom in to capture details (such as brick textures) while avoiding local overexposure or underexposure caused by lighting differences.
The dynamic range performance of the LYT-828 surpasses that of its predecessor (such as the LYT-900), making it one of the products with the highest dynamic range among mobile CMOS sensors. This technological breakthrough may drive the industry towards higher dynamic ranges and lower noise levels, prompting competitors to accelerate the development of similar technologies.
Sony plans to begin mass production of the LYT-828 in late August 2025, providing a stable supply for smartphone manufacturers. As mass production progresses, this sensor is expected to gradually become popular in mid-to-high-end models, enhancing the overall level of mobile photography.