# Exmor

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Digital camera technology

For the moorland in southwest England, see [Exmoor](/source/Exmoor). For the town in Virginia, see [Exmore](/source/Exmore).

Sony Exmor Logo

**Exmor** is a series of [CMOS](/source/CMOS_sensor) [image sensors](/source/Image_sensor) developed by [Sony](/source/Sony), with integrated on-chip [analog/digital signal conversion](/source/Analog-to-digital_converter) and [noise reduction](/source/Noise_reduction). Exmor sensors can be seen in consumer [digital cameras](/source/Digital_camera) and [mobile phones](/source/Camera_phone).

## History

[Sony Semiconductor Solutions](/source/Sony_Semiconductor_Solutions) was established in 2015 to specialize in developing CMOS image sensors.[1][*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*]

The 2020 [Intelligent Vision Sensor](/source/Intelligent_vision_sensor) series features a processor and DRAM [stacked vertically](/source/Three-dimensional_integrated_circuit#3D_SiCs) behind the image sensor. The first sensor of the series is the IMX500 and 501.[2]

The IMX989 is Sony's first 1-inch camera sensor designed for smartphones. It was used in [Sharp Aquos](/source/Sharp_Aquos) R7 and [Xiaomi](/source/Xiaomi) 12S Ultra smartphones.[3][4]

## Versions

### Exmor R

Exmor R is a [back-illuminated](/source/Back-illuminated_sensor) version of Sony's CMOS image sensor.[5] 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.[6][*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*] Sony claims that Exmor R is approximately twice as sensitive as a normal front illuminated sensor.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

This [active pixel sensor](/source/Active_pixel_sensor) is found in several Sony mobile phones and cameras as well as [Apple's](/source/Apple_Inc.) [iPhone 4s](/source/IPhone_4s) and [5](/source/IPhone_5).[7] Originally, Exmor R was limited to smaller sensors for [camcorders](/source/Camcorder), [compact cameras](/source/Point-and-shoot_camera) and [mobile phones](/source/Mobile_phone), but the [Sony ILCE-7RM2](/source/Sony_ILCE-7RM2) full-frame camera introduced on the 10 June 2015 features an Exmor R sensor as well.

### Exmor RS

Exmor RS was announced on 20 August 2012 and is the world's first stacked CMOS image sensor.[8][*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*] Subsequently, Sony announced the first 3-layer stacked CMOS sensor, which added [DRAM](/source/Dynamic_random-access_memory) cell array in the middle.[9]

From the Exmor RS line, IMX582 or IMX586 sensors are widely implemented as 48 megapixel smartphone cameras (e.g. [Samsung Galaxy S20](/source/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.[10] 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 filtering](/source/Bayer_filter).

### STARVIS

STARVIS is a series of sensors with the Exmor RS family.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] 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 [webcams](/source/Webcam) with 4K [HDR](/source/High_dynamic_range) support, based on single exposure.

#### STARVIS 2

From the second-generation STARVIS line (STARVIS 2), the IMX585 was announced on 29 June 2021,[11] featuring a large [image sensor format](/source/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.[12][*[promotional source?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:RS#Questionable_sources)*] The sensor's high dynamic range assists with this task. It became available in a [Razer Inc.](/source/Razer_Inc.) prosumer [webcam](/source/Webcam) in January 2023.[13] Larger sensor form factors decrease [depth of field](/source/Depth_of_field), which is often desired for teleconferencing webcams. Sony claims near [DSLR](/source/DSLR) quality for some applications.[13]

#### Exmor T

Sony introduced the Exmor T with the [Xperia 1 V](/source/Xperia_1_V) smartphone on 10 May 2023.[14]

#### LYTIA

On 7 November 2022, Sony announced their LYTIA brand of CMOS image sensors for mobile devices.[15][16][17]

## See also

- [Bionz](/source/Bionz) – image processors used in Sony digital cameras

- [Expeed](/source/Expeed) – Nikon's counterpart for Bionz

- [Canon DIGIC](/source/Canon_DIGIC)

- [Charge-couped device](/source/Charge-coupled_device) (CCD), another type of image sensor circuit

- [ISOCELL](/source/ISOCELL), image sensors manufactured by Samsung

- [OmniVision](/source/OmniVision_Technologies), image sensors manufacturer

- [Toshiba CMOS](/source/Toshiba_CMOS)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation to be Established - Reinforcing Devices Segment"](http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201510/15-082E/index.html). *Sony Global - Sony Global Headquarters*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151211012150/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201510/15-082E/index.html) from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Sony Unveils the World's First Camera Sensors with Built-in AI"](https://petapixel.com/2020/05/14/sony-unveils-the-worlds-first-camera-sensors-with-built-in-ai/). *petapixel.com*. 14 May 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220454/https://petapixel.com/2020/05/14/sony-unveils-the-worlds-first-camera-sensors-with-built-in-ai/) from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Sony IMX989, a 1-inch type image camera sensor for smartphones by Jose Antunes - ProVideo Coalition"](https://www.provideocoalition.com/sony-imx989-a-1-inch-type-image-camera-sensor-for-smartphones/). 29 June 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Rox, Ricci. ["Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Sony IMX989 1-inch sensor apparently isn't exclusive to Xiaomi's new flagship phone"](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). *Notebookcheck*. Retrieved 12 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Sony Global - Technology - "Exmor R""](https://web.archive.org/web/20100419131019/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html) on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Sony Global - News Release - Sony develops back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, realizing high picture quality, ne"](http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html). *Sony.net*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190629092946/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html) from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["iPhone 5 Teardown"](http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/2). *Ifixit.com*. 21 September 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200721/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/2) from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-auto_8-0)** ["Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First Stacked CMOS Image Sensor"](http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/). *Sony.net*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190622100923/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/) from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Sony embeds DRAM in image sensors"](https://www.eetasia.com/sony-embeds-dram-in-image-sensors/). *EE Times Asia*. 6 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210308185333/https://www.eetasia.com/sony-embeds-dram-in-image-sensors/) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Herbrich, Marcus (27 February 2020). ["Comparison test Sony IMX686 vs. IMX586: The big camera revolution comes to nothing"](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-test-Sony-IMX686-vs-IMX586-The-big-camera-revolution-comes-to-nothing.454689.0.html). *notbookcheck.net*. Stefan Hinum. [Archived](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) from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IMX585_primary_11-0)** ["News Release: Sony to Release 1/1.2-type 4K-Resolution CMOS Image Sensor for Security Cameras"](https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/news/2021/2021062901.html). *sony-semicon.com*. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. 29 June 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230120010358/https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/news/2021/2021062901.html) from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4guys_12-0)** ["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"](https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/feature/2022012801.html). *sony-semicon.com*. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. 28 January 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230120010410/https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/feature/2022012801.html) from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Andronico2023_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Andronico2023_13-1) Andronico, Michael (5 January 2023). ["The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra webcam gets you DSLR-like quality for less — and we tested it at CES 2023"](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/razer-kiyo-pro-ultra-ces-2023). *cnn.com*. [CNN](/source/CNN). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230120002529/https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/razer-kiyo-pro-ultra-ces-2023) from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Empson, Lewis (10 May 2023). ["Sony debuts two new Xperia smartphones for 2023"](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/sony-debuts-two-new-xperia-smartphones-for-2023/ar-AA1b1Utl). *MSN*. Retrieved 31 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["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"](https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/info/2022/2022110701.html). *Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group*. Retrieved 12 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["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"](https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/info/2023/2023061501.html). *Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group*. Retrieved 12 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Image Sensor for Mobile | Products & Solutions"](https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/mobile/index.html). *Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group*. Retrieved 12 December 2023.

v t e Sony History Founders Masaru Ibuka Akio Morita Primary businesses Sony Corporation Sony Semiconductor Solutions Sony Pictures Sony Music Group Entertainment Publishing Extreme Music Sony Music Entertainment Japan Aniplex A-1 Pictures CloverWorks Hayate Inc. Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation Technologies and brands α (Alpha) Archival Disc Betacam Bionz Blu-ray Bravia CD Cell Cyber-shot Dash Dream Machine DVD Exmor FeliCa Handycam HDCAM/HDCAM-SR HMZ-T1 Inzone LocationFree Memory Stick MiniDisc MiniDV MicroMV mylo PlayNow PlayStation Pyxis Reader S/PDIF SDDS 8 channel films Sony Entertainment Network SXRD Sony Tablet Tunnel diode TransferJet UMD Vaio Video8/Hi8/Digital8 Vision-S Walkman XDCAM Xperia Historical products AIBO CV-2000 DAT Betamax Sony CLIÉ Discman Jumbotron Lissa Mavica NEWS Optiarc PVM-4300 Qualia Rolly TR-55 Trinitron FD series 1 inch Type C U-matic Vaio Watchman WEGA Electronics Sony Creative Software FeliCa Networks (57%) Online distribution platforms PlayStation Network PlayStation Plus PlayStation Store Sony Pictures Core SonyLIV Crunchyroll mora Great American Pure Flix (joint venture with Great American Media) Former / Defunct Sony Entertainment Network Sony Connect PlayNow PlayStation Now PlayStation Video PlayStation Vue Anime Digital Network Anime on Demand AnimeLab Crackle Minisodes Funimation PressPlay VRV Wakanim Other businesses Sony DADC Sony Network Communications Sony Professional Solutions Sony Honda Mobility (50%) M3 (39.4%) Vaio (4.9%) Other assets Sony Corporation of America (umbrella company in the US) Other subsidiaries List of acquisitions List of libraries Nonprofit organizations Sony Institute of Higher Education Shohoku College Other Sony Toshiba IBM Center of Competence for the Cell Processor Sony timer Sony Technology Center Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Exmor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exmor) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exmor?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.