Exmor

{{short description|Digital camera technology}} {{for-multi|the moorland in southwest England|Exmoor|the town in Virginia|Exmore}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} [[File:Sony Exmor.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Sony Exmor Logo]] {{anchor|Exmor}} '''Exmor''' is a series of [[CMOS sensor|CMOS]] [[image sensor]]s developed by [[Sony]], with integrated on-chip [[Analog-to-digital converter|analog/digital signal conversion]] and [[noise reduction]]. Exmor sensors can be seen in consumer [[Digital camera|digital cameras]] and [[Camera phone|mobile phones]].

== History == [[Sony Semiconductor Solutions]] was established in 2015 to specialize in developing CMOS image sensors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation to be Established - Reinforcing Devices Segment|url=http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201510/15-082E/index.html|website=Sony Global - Sony Global Headquarters|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211012150/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201510/15-082E/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2022}}

The 2020 [[Intelligent vision sensor|Intelligent Vision Sensor]] series features a processor and DRAM [[Three-dimensional integrated circuit#3D SiCs|stacked vertically]] behind the image sensor. The first sensor of the series is the IMX500 and 501.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sony Unveils the World's First Camera Sensors with Built-in AI|url=https://petapixel.com/2020/05/14/sony-unveils-the-worlds-first-camera-sensors-with-built-in-ai/|website=petapixel.com|date=14 May 2020|access-date=2020-05-27|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220454/https://petapixel.com/2020/05/14/sony-unveils-the-worlds-first-camera-sensors-with-built-in-ai/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The IMX989 is Sony's first 1-inch camera sensor designed for smartphones. It was used in [[Sharp Aquos]] R7 and [[Xiaomi]] 12S Ultra smartphones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title=Sony IMX989, a 1-inch type image camera sensor for smartphones by Jose Antunes - ProVideo Coalition |url=https://www.provideocoalition.com/sony-imx989-a-1-inch-type-image-camera-sensor-for-smartphones/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rox |first=Ricci |title=Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Sony IMX989 1-inch sensor apparently isn't exclusive to Xiaomi's new flagship phone |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Xiaomi-12S-Ultra-Sony-IMX989-1-inch-sensor-apparently-isn-t-exclusive-to-Xiaomi-s-new-flagship-phone.633666.0.html |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Notebookcheck |language=en}}</ref>

== Versions ==

=== Exmor R === {{anchor|Exmor R}} Exmor R is a [[Back-illuminated sensor|back-illuminated]] version of Sony's CMOS image sensor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html |title=Sony Global - Technology - "Exmor R" |access-date=2010-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419131019/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html |archive-date=19 April 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Exmor R was announced by Sony on 11 June 2008 and was the world's first mass-produced implementation of the back-illuminated sensor technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html|title=Sony Global - News Release - Sony develops back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, realizing high picture quality, ne|website=Sony.net|access-date=19 January 2014|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629092946/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2022}} Sony claims that Exmor R is approximately twice as sensitive as a normal front illuminated sensor.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

This [[active pixel sensor]] is found in several Sony mobile phones and cameras as well as [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] [[iPhone 4s]] and [[iPhone 5|5]].<ref>{{cite web|title=iPhone 5 Teardown|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/2|website=Ifixit.com|date=21 September 2012|access-date=19 January 2014|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200721/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/2|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, Exmor R was limited to smaller sensors for [[camcorder]]s, [[Point-and-shoot camera|compact camera]]s and [[mobile phone]]s, but the [[Sony ILCE-7RM2]] full-frame camera introduced on the 10 June 2015 features an Exmor R sensor as well.

=== Exmor RS === {{anchor|Exmor RS}} Exmor RS was announced on 20 August 2012 and is the world's first stacked CMOS image sensor.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First Stacked CMOS Image Sensor |url=http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622100923/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/ |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=23 July 2014 |website=Sony.net}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2022}} Subsequently, Sony announced the first 3-layer stacked CMOS sensor, which added [[Dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]] cell array in the middle.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sony embeds DRAM in image sensors|url=https://www.eetasia.com/sony-embeds-dram-in-image-sensors/|date=2017-06-06|website=EE Times Asia|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308185333/https://www.eetasia.com/sony-embeds-dram-in-image-sensors/|url-status=live}}</ref>

From the Exmor RS line, IMX582 or IMX586 sensors are widely implemented as 48 megapixel smartphone cameras (e.g. [[Samsung Galaxy S20]]), with the sensors having almost identical specifications, but for the IMX586 supporting faster frame rates at 4K. In early 2020, the IMX586 was followed by the IMX686, enlarging the format to 1/1.72" (increasing resolution to 64 megapixels), but keeping the same pixel size.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Herbrich |first1=Marcus |date=27 February 2020 |title=Comparison test Sony IMX686 vs. IMX586: The big camera revolution comes to nothing |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-test-Sony-IMX686-vs-IMX586-The-big-camera-revolution-comes-to-nothing.454689.0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120000136/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-test-Sony-IMX686-vs-IMX586-The-big-camera-revolution-comes-to-nothing.454689.0.html |archive-date=20 January 2023 |accessdate=19 January 2023 |website=notbookcheck.net |publisher=Stefan Hinum}}</ref> Pixel binning is used to reduce the high sensor resolution to standard photographic resolutions such as 4K, overcoming some of the traditional limitations of [[Bayer filter]]ing.

=== STARVIS === {{anchor|STARVIS}} STARVIS is a series of sensors with the Exmor RS family.{{cn|date=March 2025}} It features high pixel sensitivity, making it suitable for low light applications. Industrial versions are finding applications in ambient-light surveillance systems. Commercial versions are finding applications in prosumer [[webcam]]s with 4K [[high dynamic range|HDR]] support, based on single exposure.

==== STARVIS 2 ==== From the second-generation STARVIS line (STARVIS 2), the IMX585 was announced on 29 June 2021,<ref name="IMX585_primary">{{cite web |last1= |date=29 June 2021 |title=News Release: Sony to Release 1/1.2-type 4K-Resolution CMOS Image Sensor for Security Cameras |url=https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/news/2021/2021062901.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120010358/https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/news/2021/2021062901.html |archive-date=20 January 2023 |accessdate=19 January 2023 |website=sony-semicon.com  |publisher=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation}}</ref> featuring a large [[image sensor format]] of 1/1.2", making it suitable for low light photography. Sony designed the STARVIS 2 sensor family for AI face recognition in surveillance applications with difficult lighting conditions.<ref name="4guys">{{cite web |last1= |date=28 January 2022 |title=Introducing a new standard of security cameras, our security image sensor provides a wider dynamic range and captures images of moving objects without blur or color tints |url=https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/feature/2022012801.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120010410/https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/feature/2022012801.html |archive-date=20 January 2023 |accessdate=19 January 2023 |website=sony-semicon.com  |publisher=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation }}</ref>{{Promotional source|date=February 2023}} The sensor's high dynamic range assists with this task. It became available in a [[Razer Inc.]] prosumer [[webcam]] in January 2023.<ref name="Andronico2023">{{cite web |author-last=Andronico |author-first=Michael |date=5 January 2023 |title=The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra webcam gets you DSLR-like quality for less — and we tested it at CES 2023 |url=https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/razer-kiyo-pro-ultra-ces-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120002529/https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/razer-kiyo-pro-ultra-ces-2023 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |accessdate=19 January 2023 |website=cnn.com |publisher=[[CNN]] }}</ref> Larger sensor form factors decrease [[depth of field]], which is often desired for teleconferencing webcams. Sony claims near [[DSLR]] quality for some applications.<ref name="Andronico2023" />

==== Exmor T ==== Sony introduced the Exmor T with the [[Xperia 1 V]] smartphone on 10 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Empson |first=Lewis |date=2023-05-10 |title=Sony debuts two new Xperia smartphones for 2023 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/sony-debuts-two-new-xperia-smartphones-for-2023/ar-AA1b1Utl |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=MSN}}</ref>

==== LYTIA ==== On 7 November 2022, Sony announced their LYTIA brand of CMOS image sensors for mobile devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Announces LYTIA,a New Image Sensor Product Brand for Mobile DevicesThe Brand of Choice for Smartphone Users｜Information｜Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group |url=https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/info/2022/2022110701.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony Semiconductor Solutions to Expand LYTIA Mobile Image Sensor Brand with 50-Megapixel Product Lineto Deliver Creative Imaging Experiences "Beyond Imagination"｜Information｜Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group |url=https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/info/2023/2023061501.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Image Sensor for Mobile {{!}} Products & Solutions |url=https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/mobile/index.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group |language=en}}</ref>

==See also== *[[Bionz]] – image processors used in Sony digital cameras *[[Expeed]] – Nikon's counterpart for Bionz *[[Canon DIGIC]] *[[Charge-coupled device|Charge-couped device]] (CCD), another type of image sensor circuit *[[ISOCELL]], image sensors manufactured by Samsung *[[OmniVision Technologies|OmniVision]], image sensors manufacturer *[[Toshiba CMOS]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Sony image sensors]]