Samsung Galaxy S11 to feature 9-to-1 Bayer sensor on its 108MP camera

16 December 2019
The design is also revealed, periscope shooter coming as a telephoto lens.

Sort by:

harlekkin, 16 Dec 2019I don't get it. Why create an ultra-crammed 108Mpx sensor t... moreMaking a native 12MP camera with native 2.4 micron pixel would be great, but I can imagine that the sensor size would be big. Remember the Nokia N8 from 2010? That has a native 12MP camera with 1/1.83" sensor size and 1.75 micron pixel. Great spec, but it came at a cost with a big bump. I don't mind having a big camera bump at the back since I'm familiar with it thanks to the Nokia Lumia 1020, but for most people? I so doubt if they want that.

    Shanti Dope, 16 Dec 2019You go as high resolution as that, only to settle down to 1... moreDefinitely not me, more MP means higher resolution and that means more covered area. But Android Authority have... other idea: https://youtu.be/vFSi3AA5ulU

    Also from Android Authority:
    - https://www.androidauthority.com/12mp-camera-phones-1060776/
    - https://www.androidauthority.com/camera-software-vs-megapixels-1049567/

      I don't get it. Why create an ultra-crammed 108Mpx sensor to then bin the pixels together and produce a 12Mpx image? The quality of th 100% crop of the 108Mpx will be absolutely useless anyway, so why not just use a 12Mpx sensor with bigger pixels - where ONE actual pixel is 2.4μm? What am I missing here??? This is all just marketing hype.

        Nick Tagataka, 16 Dec 2019Where did you get that information that SD865 is optimised ... moreAround the 10:10 minute mark, sorry for the double comment i sent the other one accidentally

        https://youtu.be/1gl1B0phPuM

          Shanti Dope, 16 Dec 2019Honestly, I don't believe it would mean the greatest low li... moreI do agree with you, native sensor will always perform better than software-focused sensor. Just look at Nokia 808 PureView and HTC One M8, they are still hard to beat when it comes to low light thanks to their native sensor's big pixel size.

            Nick Tagataka, 16 Dec 2019Where did you get that information that SD865 is optimised ... morehttps://youtu.be/1gl1B0phPuM

              YUKI93, 16 Dec 2019I stand corrected right there. But you know what I just... moreYou go as high resolution as that, only to settle down to 12MP in the end?

              Ok.

                Honestly, I don't believe it would mean the greatest low light performance ever in a smartphone.
                While 2.4um effective pixel size sounds great, we all know that it still wouldn't be as good as a true 2.4um pixel size sensor in full resolution.
                Everyone was hyping the 1.6um pixel size of 48MP and 64MP Quad Bayer sensors, yet their results tell that they're no better than 12MP 1.4um pixel sensors.
                Perhaps the Nona Bayer could be better in some ways, and I really do hope so. But on one end, I could've wished for just an 80MP sensor of the same sensor size with a more reasonable 1.25um (approx.) pixel size and get vastly superior low light performance even with just Quad Bayer (20MP).

                  mehdiemamzadeh, 16 Dec 2019Wrong math 48= (2^2)*12 so the pixel diameter will be doub... moreI stand corrected right there.

                  But you know what I just thought of something? Some time much later in the future, we might be seeing a 192MP camera with Decahex Bayer arrangement that can produce a 12MP photo with 3.2 micron pixel. D*mn, the progress really didn't stop.

                    That's how the 108 MPix sensor should work from the start. It's good that Samsung is going this route. Now I only hope the S11 series will still feature a headphone jack.

                      Very Good, now all we need is a quad Bayer, ultra wide of 64 MP. and a periscope telephoto of same kind in 48 MP to complete the Samsung's Nuclear Triad.

                      :)

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • KSu
                        • 16 Dec 2019

                        mehdiemamzadeh, 16 Dec 2019Wrong math 48= (2^2)*12 so the pixel diameter will be doub... moreLove the 2.4μm pixel size.
                        Couple this with the wider 1.4 aperture of Samsung, this will destroy every phone on the market in low light.

                        Pixel and others can stick to their outdated 12MP.
                        Only Huawei can bring some competition through the p40 pro.

                          Hills od, 16 Dec 2019The arrangement of lenses is soo not okayWhy

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 30y
                            • 16 Dec 2019

                            Why not go directly with a large sensor 12MP camera rather than going with 108MP and downscaling to 12MP? That way no software gimmicks would be needed...

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • LQu
                              • 16 Dec 2019

                              Whackcar, 16 Dec 2019I remember seeing some comment on a previous article about ... moreBecause this sensor has different technology of the other 108MP.

                              This pixel merge is done hardware based, not software.
                              You cant apply on any sensor.
                              The one Samsung sold to xiaomi, can to 2x2, not 3x3.

                              This one here is not tetracell like that other one.

                                YUKI93, 16 Dec 2019That means, this would be a Nona Bayer setup. But if Quad B... moreWrong math
                                48= (2^2)*12 so the pixel diameter will be doubled (2*0.8=1.6)
                                108= (3^2)*12 So the pixel will be 3*0.8 which is 2.4

                                  PartTimePhoner, 16 Dec 2019I think its more about the "powers" so 2x2=4 which means we... moreFair point there. Square root of 9 is 3, so 3x increase on the micron pixel if the original value is quoted at 0.8 micron pixel would means 2.4 micron pixel, and GSMArena did mentioned the latter value. Anyway, only time will tell that.

                                    This was time big Samsung did something about its cameras. I hope they also work very very hard on the software

                                      The arrangement of lenses is soo not okay

                                        YUKI93, 16 Dec 2019That means, this would be a Nona Bayer setup. But if Quad B... moreI think its more about the "powers" so 2x2=4 which means we not got the squareroot of 9, 3.

                                          6 of 8