SmartSens launches new 50MP 1/1.28-inch image sensor SC580XS to enable flagship smartphone main camera applications

January 11, 2024, Shanghai, China - SmartSens (Shanghai) Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. has launched its first 50-megapixel 1/1.28-inch image sensor - SC580XS. This new product is an upgraded product built on the same process platform after SmartSens successfully mass-produced the first 50-megapixel 1/1.56-inch product SC550XS using the 22nm HKMG Stack process. As a 1.22µm pixel size image sensor, SC580XS is equipped with SmartSens' new generation pixel technology SFCPixel®-2, as well as PixGain HDR®, AllPix ADAF® and other technologies and processes. With its high dynamic range, low noise, 100% full pixel focus, ultra-low power consumption and other performance advantages, it brings excellent quality images to flagship smartphone main cameras.

Innovative and upgraded technology to create powerful and high-quality images

SC580XS is based on SmartSens’ advanced SFCPixel®-2 technology and PixGain technology, combined with a combination of multiple high dynamic range (HDR) technologies, to bring high-definition images with delicate picture quality and rich light and dark details to smartphone cameras.

High dynamic range

SC580XS uses SmartSens PixGain HDR® technology to effectively suppress motion artifacts by synthesizing high and low conversion gain images under the same frame exposure. In addition, SC580XS also supports multiple high dynamic range modes such as triple exposure HDR and PixGain HDR®+VS, with a dynamic range of up to 120dB, which can output detailed and realistic images even in low-light scenes.

 Low noise

基于SFCPixel®-2和PixGain技术，SC580XS的读取噪声(RN)低至0.7e-，并在相关多采样技术(CMS)的加持下，其CMS 4x噪声降幅可达40%。较行业同规格产品，SC580XS的读取噪声(RN)和固定噪声(FPN)分别显著降低约33%和32%，PRNU小幅降低4%，使其画质更细腻。

In addition, in the 4-in-1 (Summing) mode, the single pixel size of SC580XS reaches 2.44µm, which can bring a 4K 120fps high frame rate video imaging experience to the mobile phone.

Multiple fast focus technologies make the image clearer

To help smartphones achieve wonderful snapshot performance, the SC580XS is equipped with SmartSens' unique AllPix ADAF® technology and Sparse PDAF technology to achieve better fast focusing effects in various light scenes. In low-light scenes, the SC580XS turns on the AllPix ADAF® mode, and achieves 100% full-pixel focus through the horizontal and vertical combination of pixels, bringing faster and more accurate focusing effects to mobile phone cameras; in daily light scenes, the SC580XS switches to the Sparse PDAF mode, and accurately focuses through partial pixel phase detection, which can greatly save the power consumption of the image sensor.

Ultra-low power consumption helps improve the battery life of mobile phones

Thanks to the newly upgraded readout circuit architecture design and advanced 22nm HKMG process, SC580XS has excellent low power consumption performance. SC580XS supports hardware Remosaic function, and the power consumption is as low as 500mW (25fps frame rate) in 50MP Full Size mode. At the same time, the power consumption of SC580XS for shooting 12.5MP images and 4K images is as low as 190mW and 150mW respectively.

Based on PixGain HDR® high dynamic range mode, the power consumption of SC580XS when shooting 12.5MP images is only 465mW (AllPix ADAF® mode) and 310mW (Sparse PDAF mode), which helps to reduce the power consumption of the entire smartphone and significantly extend the maximum duration of continuous video shooting.

Dr. Yaowu Mo, co-founder and CTO of SmartSens, said: "SC580XS is another 50-megapixel high-performance image sensor for flagship smartphones created by SmartSens after the release of SC550XS. This new product is built on the 22nm HKMG Stack process, has an optical size of 1/1.28 inches, and uses SFCPixel®-2, PixGain HDR®, AllPix ADAF® and other innovative technologies and processes from SmartSens also support the 4-in-1 (Summing) mode, taking into account the performance advantages of high dynamic range, low noise, 100% full pixel focus, and ultra-low power consumption, and can output high-quality 50MP/12.5MP/4K and other formats of video. In terms of data transmission, SC580XS is compatible with C-PHY/D-PHY interface protocols, with a maximum transmission rate of 3.5Gsps/trio to meet the needs of high frame rate and high resolution image transmission; at the same time, SC580XS supports the adjustable maximum amplitude of MIPI transmission to cope with the noise and interference caused by the internal functional modules of the mobile phone, ensuring the normal reception of data signals on the module side. SC580XS will bring excellent imaging performance to flagship smartphone imaging systems, helping to further enhance the quality of mobile images. "

The SC580XS is currently accepting samples and is expected to be in mass production in Q1 2024. For more information about the SC580XS product, please contact SmartSens sales.