Sony might step up with its first 200MP smartphone camera sensor
by Jay Bonggolto · Android PoliceSummary
- A new rumor claims that Sony’s 200MP sensor will be larger than 1/1.3 inches, meaning better light capture and potentially sharper, cleaner shots.
- High-res sensors like Samsung's 200MP offer better quality and digital zoom capabilities, with Sony's potential sensor disrupting the market.
- A 200MP sensor enables lossless 2x and 3x digital zoom, reducing the need for extra telephoto lenses.
When Samsung rolled out its 200MP sensor in 2023, it doubled down on pushing high-res smartphone photography forward. That bet paid off big time after major phone makers, especially in China, jumped on board. But that stronghold might not last forever. New rumors are swirling about Sony crafting its first 200MP phone camera sensor, potentially giving Samsung some real competition.
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Reliable leaker Digital Chat Station claims Sony is working on a 200MP smartphone camera sensor (via GSMArena). They also hinted that it’ll be bigger than 1/1.3 inches, making it an interesting contender in the high-res camera market.
On the other hand, Samsung’s 200MP sensors stick to a 1/1.3-inch size. That extra size on Sony's sensor means it’ll likely soak up more light, which could lead to sharper, cleaner photos. Since sensor size is a huge deal for how well a phone camera performs, especially in low light, Sony might have a real edge here.
Samsung’s ISOCELL HP2 sensor powers the main camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra , while the ISOCELL HP9 has become a go-to for periscope telephoto lenses. It’s already in the Vivo X100 Ultra and is expected to show up in some of the upcoming camera phone heavyweights, such as the Vivo X200 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
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Do higher megapixels really matter?
The idea that megapixels are inconsequential is pretty common, but it doesn’t tell the full story in today’s mobile tech. Cameras are still a huge selling point for phone makers, and OEMs are pumping serious time and money into R&D to stay ahead. Why? Because consumers care a lot.
In any case, a 200MP main camera opens up the possibility of lossless 2x and 3x digital zoom, which could make a separate short-range telephoto lens less essential. High-res sensors like Samsung’s 200MP beast give phone makers more room to play with, letting them squeeze out sharper, more detailed shots. Basically, more pixels mean more flexibility and better quality, even when you’re pushing the limits of digital zoom.
On top of that, we’re curious to see what other tricks Sony might have up its sleeve to boost camera performance.