Sony’s new LYTIA LYT-818 sensor brings improved low-light, HDR performance

Sony’s Semiconductor division has launched a new image sensor for smartphones. Dubbed the Sony LYTIA LYT-818, it’s a 50MP CMOS image sensor for premium range smartphones. It comes with a sensor size of 1/1.28” and is said to offer improved low-light and HDR performance.

Here’s everything you need to know about the sensor, from specs and features to the upcoming smartphones expected to feature it.

Sony LYTIA LYT-818 specifications and features

Sony’s LYTIA LYT-818 1/1.28″ image sensor is from the LYT-800 series, and it brings in improvements over the LYT-808 image sensor from last year. For those unaware, the latter is the sensor used in the OnePlus 12. So, expect LYT-818 to be used in premium phones, however, we will get to the sensor’s support bit later in this article.

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As for its key features, the Sony LYTIA LYT-818 image sensor uses an Ultra-High Conversion Gain (UHCG) circuit that converts light into an electric signal to reduce unwanted noise in photos. This results in noise levels of just 0.95e-, which is the lowest for Sony mobile image sensors, making the final image look just as bright as it should be, even in low-light conditions.

Further, the sensor also brings new HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology that ensures that the details are retained in both dark and light areas of an image. As for how it does that is, it takes a single snapshot and processes it at three different settings – High side Gain, Mid side Gain, and Low side Gain.

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With this method, the sensor is able to achieve a dynamic range of 86dB, making the final shot more natural and appealing. This also ensures that the images captured do not get overexposed or underexposed in high-contrast scenes.

Despite its impressive set of features, the sensor consumes less power, and also allows for continuous HDR so that the HDR effect can be previewed on the phone screen even before pressing the capture button.

Sony LYTIA LYT-818 availability

Sony has revealed that it will ship the LYT-818 sensor to OEMs from this month, and we can expect it to be used in upcoming phones starting from October.

While Sony or any OEM hasn’t revealed the exact phones coming with this sensor, word is that the upcoming Vivo X200 Pro (successor to the Vivo X100 Pro) and X200 Pro mini might feature it. Both phones are expected to launch in October.

Other than these two, we may also see more brands using this sensor in their premium phones. However, as of now, there’s no information on that. Having said that, we’ll just have to wait and see what all phones feature this sensor, and if at all the sensor stands true to its features.