The IMX858 is a 50-megapixel sensor (megapixel count is 50MP, effective 50.1MP). But the specs that matter are hidden in Sony’s documentation.
The is a 50-megapixel CMOS image sensor introduced in 2023, specifically engineered for smartphone "sub-cameras" (ultrawide, telephoto, and front-facing). It is designed to bridge the performance gap between secondary lenses and large-sensor main cameras by incorporating high-end features like all-pixel autofocus and advanced HDR into a more compact form factor. Core Specifications Resolution: 50 Megapixels ( Sensor Size: 1/2.51-inch (Diagonal approximately 6.37 mm). Pixel Pitch: 0.7 (native), capable of reaching 1.4 via 4-in-1 pixel binning. Architecture: Exmor RS (Stacked Back-Illuminated CMOS). Key Technical Features sony imx858
Low light is where the IMX858 separates itself from generic 50MP sensors like the Samsung JN1 or even the older IMX766. The IMX858 features Sony’s latest Low Noise (LN) technology. It has a lower noise floor than any other sensor of its size. For a telephoto lens (which has a small aperture), this low noise floor is a lifesaver, allowing for usable night shots at 5x or 10x zoom without turning the image into mush. The IMX858 is a 50-megapixel sensor (megapixel count
To understand the IMX858, you first have to look at its bigger sibling: the . The IMX989 is a 1-inch type sensor, widely considered the pinnacle of mobile imaging. It is large, expensive, and power-hungry. It is designed to bridge the performance gap
| Parameter | Value | |-----------|-------| | | 1/2.51″ (approx. 6.4 mm diagonal) | | Pixel size | 0.7 µm (microns) | | Active pixels | 50.1 MP (effective) | | Output formats | 12.5 MP (default, 2x2 binning), 50 MP full | | ADC resolution | 12-bit / 10-bit | | Interface | MIPI C-PHY / D-PHY (up to 4.5 Gbps/lane) | | HDR support | Multiple exposure HDR (ME HDR), Digital Overlap HDR (DOL-HDR) | | Frame rate (max) | 60 fps @ 12.5 MP; 15 fps @ 50 MP | | Process technology | Sony’s Stacked CMOS (Cu-Cu bonding) | | Special features | All-pixel PDAF, dual-gain (ISO 50–6400), low power mode |
| Sensor | Size | Pixel size | Binned pixel | PDAF | Typical role | |--------|------|------------|--------------|------|---------------| | | 1/2.51″ | 0.7 µm | 1.4 µm | All-pixel OCL | Secondary cameras | | Sony IMX766 | 1/1.56″ | 1.0 µm | 2.0 µm | 2x2 OCL | Primary midrange | | Samsung JN1 | 1/2.76″ | 0.64 µm | 1.28 µm | PD on some | Secondary/ultra-wide | | Sony IMX989 | 1″ | 1.6 µm | 3.2 µm | All-pixel | Flagship primary |
The IMX858 represents a design philosophy: rather than a single dominant primary. Future iterations may: