Samsung has unveiled a new 50MP flagship camera, called the ISOCELL GNK. It is the successor to the company’s ISOCELL GN1 50MP sensor launched more than three years ago. The camera brings several improvements over its predecessor. The Google Pixel 8 Pro features the new Samsung camera.
Samsung unveils the ISOCELL GNK 50MP camera
The ISOCELL GNK has an optical format size of 1/1.3-inch and features 1.2μm pixels. The 50MP camera boasts a maximum image resolution of 8,160 x 6,144 pixels. It supports 4-in-1 pixel binning (merges four neighboring pixels into one) for an effective pixel size of 2.4μm during low-light conditions. This helps absorb more light for brighter images. You get 12.5MP outputs when using pixel binning.
The new 50MP camera from Samsung can record 8K videos at 30fps (frames per second). It also supports autofocus and HDR video in FHD resolution with frame rates up to 240fps. 4K videos are limited to 120fps. The normal frame rate for images is 24fps at 50MP resolution and 90fps at 12.5MP resolution. The camera supports electronic rolling shutter and RAW output formats.
The ISOCELL GNK also boasts staggered HDR technology and offers three different ISO modes. This helps improve the HDR performance by producing images with a dynamic range of up to 102 dB. The single frame-based Smart-ISO Pro minimizes motion artifacts and noise for a more effective dynamic range. The camera is capable of creating images with up to 14-bit color depth.
Samsung has packed each of the 50 million pixels in this sensor with two photodiodes. The Dual Pixel Pro technology ensures ultra-fast autofocus by comparing the phase difference in both the top and bottom and the left and right directions. It helps quickly focus on moving objects in the frame. As the company puts it, the ISOCELL GNK is “built to express highly dynamic scenes to the fullest.” It brings “a new era of smartphone camera experience with Dual Pixel Pro and advanced HDR technology.”
We should see this camera on more phones
Samsung’s ISOCELL GNK has already made its market debut with the Pixel 8 Pro. It should feature on more phones in the coming months. Google’s Pixel 9 series may get the same camera. Samsung should also use it on some Galaxy devices next year. The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, which feature a 50MP main camera, use the ISOCELL GN3 sensor. The 2024 Galaxy flagships are expected to go official on January 17.
2023-11-07 15:05:40