Sony officially released 120MP (127.68 Effective pixels) Medium Format Sensors with a global shutter. As we all know Fuji Cameras uses a Sony Medium format sensor. So, in near future, we may see Fuji GFX 120 or Fuji GFX 200 soon.
Sony announced the commercialization of the CMOS image sensor “IMX661” on March 9th. Mass production of new sensors will begin in April of 2021.
1. Sony 120MP Medium Format Sensor Major Features
Main Features
The industry’s highest effective pixel count of 127.68 megapixels
This product features a large optical size of 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal), nearly 10 times larger than the common 1.1-type image sensor corresponded to the C mount lens for industrial equipment with a pixel size of 3.45 μm, resulting in a massive pixel count of 127.68 megapixels, which is the industry’s highest for a CMOS image sensor equipped with a global shutter. It enables a wide viewing angle and high-resolution imaging by increased pixel count, and the motion distortion-free imaging demanded on cameras for industrial equipment, thereby improving imaging efficiency and recognition precision.
High-speed image readout
Generally, increased pixel count means increased signal processing volume, which causes issues such as a drop in frame rate and longer readout times. In order to realize high-speed readout, it is necessary to improve the processing functionality of the AD converter which converts the analog signal output from the pixel to digital signals, and at the same time, increase the speed of the output interface.
This product features Sony’s original device configuration employing a chip-on-wafer process where chips with certain functions are stacked on top of the pixel wafer, allowing for optimal positioning of the AD converter. This design improves AD converter processing functionality without increasing the size.
The new sensor also employs the Scalable Low Voltage Signaling with Embedded Clock (SLVS-EC™)*7 high-speed interface standard developed by Sony, in order to make output interface faster. These two original technologies enable 127.68 megapixels,10bits,21.8fps, which is a high-speed output data rate nearly four times faster than conventional models*4.The dramatic increase in multi-pixel and readout speed greatly contribute to the improvement of productivity in industrial applications.
Equipped with signal processing capabilities needed for a variety of industrial applications
The new product is equipped with a range of signal processing capabilities required for industrial equipment CMOS image sensors to meet diverse applications and needs. These include such as; trigger synchronization for controlling imaging timing during high-speed inspections; Region of Interest (ROI), which reduces post signal processing load by only reading out the required regions; gradation compression, which reduces data volume while outputting required information; multi-exposure, which is capable of detecting the trajectory of moving objects; short exposure time for blur-free imaging of objects moving at high speeds; pixel binning readout, which can enhance sensitivity in low luminance situations.
2. Sony 120MP Medium Format Sensor Specification
| Model name | IMX661 (color, black and white) |
|---|---|
| Unit cell size | 3.45 μm x 3.45 μm (H x V) |
| Effective pixels | 13,400 x 9,528 (H x V), 127.68 megapixels |
| Image size | Diagonal 56.73 mm (3.6-type) |
| Active area | 46.2 mm x 32.9 mm (H x V) |
| Package | Ceramic LGA |
| Micro lens | EPD -100mm (CRA 15.8 degrees) |
| Power supply | Analog: 3.3V Digital: 1.2V Interface: 1.8V |
| Output | 4.7Gbps/lane SLVS-EC 16/8/4 lane 891Mbps/lane SLVS 16 lane |
| Frame rate | 14 bit: 12.9 fps 12 bit: 19.6 fps 10 bit: 21.8 fps |
| Main functions | Global shutter, trigger synchronization, ROI, gradation compression, multi-exposure, short exposure, pixel binning readout |
