The Honor 70 series is the first set of smartphones to feature the Sony IMX800 camera sensor. Before the launch of these devices, a lot of leaks had different perceptions regarding this sensor. The size and megapixels of this sensor from previous leaks turn out to have a few discrepancies.
Information from leaks showed off the IMX800 as having a 1/1.1-inch sensor and using a 50MP lens. This information increased expectations for the IMX800 sensor. Simply because, at that size, it was to become one of the world’s largest sensors.
Already, Sharp Aquos R6 holds the top place for the largest sensor on a smartphone. The sensor on this device measures at an impressive 1-inch. Beating this will take a lot from other manufacturers, and Sony wasn’t aiming for the top spot, but a suitable place below the Aquos R6. At the launch of the Honor 70 series, we confirmed that this sensor from Sony is a 1/1.49-inch sensor.
Another correction to what we previously had expectations for is the number of megapixels present on this sensor. Previously felt it’d house a 50MP lens, but this sensor made its debut with a 54MP lens. It also supports a 4-to-1 binning process, which improves the size of pixels the lens produces.
Hence, the Sony IMX800 isn’t the largest sensor out there, it still sits under sensors on the likes of the Sony 1 IV. After its debut on the Honor 70 series, we expected to see this sensor on more devices. Possibly in future, Sony will attempt to beat what the Aquos R6 sensor was able to achieve. Larger sensors mean more light penetration hence resulting in better pictures and the evolution of camera sensors is just beginning.
