Ultrapixel is a new HTC camera technology. What is UltraPixel and what is its technology? You deserve the same

One of the “killer features” of the new product is a camera with “ultrapixels”, which, according to HTC, will give a head start to any 13 MP cameras installed on competitors’ smartphones. Let’s try to describe in detail the features of this “ultrapixel” camera.

The new HTC ImageSense technology, implemented in HTC One, consists of an UltraPixel Sensor, a new ImageChip processor, optics with a maximum aperture of f/2.0 and a dual-axis Optical Image Stabilization system.

The UltraPixel Sensor delivers larger pixels and allows you to capture 300 pixels more light on par with standard 8 and 13 MP cameras. The physical size of the UltraPixel Sensor is set to 1/3”, and the size of the “ultrapixel” is 2 microns. And the camera has a separate axis of 8 and 13 megapixels, which is equipped with a 1/3” sensor, the pixel size is the same as 1.4 and 1.1 microns.

According to HTC, instead of filling the area with smaller pixels, they filled it with larger pixels. The level of pixels is a little lower.

A new video signal processor has expanded the capabilities of the HTC ImageChip functions. The main innovations are important to speed up the time it takes to revise the system. For this you now need a little more than 200 ms.

New innovations are coming - a wider HDR range. In HDR mode, the HTC One camera can record video from a separate source at 1080p.

The image shown by HTC shows the superiority of the HTC One camera over the cameras of Samsung (f/2.6) and Apple iPhone 5 (f/2.4), which is more noticeable in low light conditions.

HTC says that the camera of the HTC One smartphone captures images with maximum resolution in less than 1/48 sec. The HTC One X model and its competitors in this price range are characterized by a display of 1/30 s.

The dual-axis Optical Image Stabilization system keeps your photos clear and the camera up to speed.

Attach a photo and video taken with the HTC One camera, you can watch it again.

Apparently, the new flagship smartphone HTC One (this time there is only one, and not three, as in the past) can boast of an extraordinary camera with UltraPixel technology and optical image stabilization. And as the stabilization becomes less and less clear, the UltraPixel calls for power. So let’s figure out at once what it is and how this technology is evolving in the form of “sound” cameras.

Modern look of the camera on HTC One

To understand what is behind the marketing name UltraPixel, let’s first look at the principle of operation of a “primary” camera with a Bayer array of color filters. The little secret of such cameras (that is why 99.9% of all cameras are on the market) lies in the fact that the technical characteristics are indicated - this is a fact and a tight hand. Actually, there are as many light-sensitive elements (sensors) on the matrix as there are written, but the problem is that there is only one color to choose from (blue, green and red). Thus, it is again stated that the separateness is achieved only in black and white mode, and in color mode, the color of the skin pixel intersects with the display of several (usually four) senses.


Budova matrices with a Bayer array of color filters

A side effect of the Bayer array of color filters is the need for a victorious filter that smoothes, which is installed in front of the matrix and slightly “smears” the images. It is important to avoid the colorful artifacts and moirou. In this case, the separation of images suffers - the picture from the “primary” cameras at 100% scale without additional software sharpness shift always looks blurry. (There are cameras with Bayer matrices without a filter, which smoothes out, but they can be handled on the fingers of one hand.)

The matrix with UltraPixel technology has a different look. She has three balls of light-sensitive elements. The elements in one ball are sensitive to a blue color, in another - to green, and in the third - to red. Such a tri-ball sensor immediately captures more color information, due to which the color of the separate part of the UltraPixel matrix has the same brightness, and a filter that smoothes is simply not required.


Sensel on a “three-ball” matrix in perspective

This idea is actually not new - the Foveon company has been producing Foveon X3 matrices for a long time, which, in turn, are used in Sigma cameras. At the time Foveon matrices appeared on the market, they had the smallest metameric index (for correct color transfer) among all types of matrices. In addition, as practice shows, Foveon matrices with a separate partition of N megapixels for a separate partition do not yield to Bayer matrices with a separate partition of N * 2 MP, or rather, they override them. In other words, there are fewer pixels in the digital image, which means it is “more beautiful”, less likely to be captured on Bayer matrices.

However, Foveon matrices have their shortcomings. In addition, the noise of the red channel is increased (which removes the least amount of light) and resource intensity (the image of the sub-bag vibrates behind complex algorithms, below the demosaic of the Bayer array), which, in turn, creates a problematic situation ku video. However, despite everything, HTC has successfully overcome this problem. And the company decided to save the advantages of tri-ball matrices, so it became clear that if the smartphone was placed in our hands for inspection.

PS. So, who is the matrix generator for HTC One? As far as I know, Sony, Panasonic and Canon have patents for various implementations of “three-ball” matrices, including Foveon. Of all these companies, Sony is a great manufacturer of mobile camera modules. The idea comes naturally...

P.P.S. Before we got our hands on the white paper of the HTC company, which describes the UltraPixel technology. There is no trispheric matrix there, so a basic Bayer filter is used. All signals that stink, including those with large (beyond the standards of mobile cameras) pixel sizes (20 microns). And this article should not be lost here as a science, especially for other journalists who love to write texts based on not entirely verified information.

HTC announced its long-awaited flagship HTC 10, which became the obsession with which the company continued to strive for success. The concept of HTC One was revealed in the new world. Thus, from the front panel there were built-in stereo speakers, as well as music, which was also a tease for the rich. It has a rounded 2.5D edge, a Home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner and two touch keys. The body is made of metal, but a special beveled panel is put in place. The thickness at the extreme point reaches 3 mm. The main difference, of course, lies with the cameras. Here you will find 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel f/1.8 modules with optical image stabilization (in both versions). The main camera of Vikonan uses Ultrapixel 2 technology. It is a wide-angle (80 degrees) BSI sensor with a pixel size of 1.55 microns. Є laser autofocus and advanced LED-sleeves. The front camera also has a wide angle of view (86 degrees), you can record video in 4K format and have a set of effects for selfies.

The new HTC 10, which the company was “obsessed” with, became sound. The Taiwanese equipped the flagship with a 24-bit DAC supported by Hi-Res Audio. In addition, BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition technology is implemented, which separates high-frequency and low-frequency speakers, each of which has its own booster. This itself allows you to achieve a rich sound without the traditional expansion of the HTC One line. The hardware potential, according to HTC, will help unlock new headphones that are included with the HTC 10 in certain regions. The Hi-Res Audio certification accessory contains 8µm thick polymer membranes suitable for aerospace applications.

And now about productivity. Following LG, HTC 10 comes in two variants. Depending on the region, the device will be available in versions based on Snapdragon 820 (with Kryo cores) and Snapdragon 652 (eight-core Qualcomm version). The remaining one is the Lifestyle prefix and this view itself will be available in Russia. The speed code is also supported by 3 or 4 GB of RAM Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Sense UI 8.0 with Boost+ technology (a speedy system that dynamically manages the smartphone’s resources, allowing you to use up energy to run background programs Before speaking, In both versions of the device, having removed the unknown 3000 mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology, according to the manufacturer’s statements, you can provide an autonomous HTC 10 robot with a 5.2” LCD5 display (separate building 2560 x 1440 pixels) over two days.

HTC 10 is already available in advance in the United States. There, the price was $700 (unlocked version with 4 GB RAM and 32 GB ROM), and the color palette includes black and silver. Additional information will be provided regarding the availability of HTC 10 Lifestyle for sale in Russia.


Technical characteristics of HTC 10 / HTC 10 Lifestyle:

  • Merezha: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), UMTS/HSDPA (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), LTE (800/900/1800/2600 MHz)
  • Platform (at the time of announcement): Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Sense 8.0
  • Display: 5.2", 2560 x 1440 pixels, Super LCD5, 564 ppi, Gorilla Glass 4
  • Camera: 12 MP, Ultrapixel 2, BSI, 1.55 µm, f/1.8, laser autofocus, optical image stabilization, rear LED, video recording 4K@30fps
  • Front camera: 5 MP, 1.34 µm, f/1.8, optical image stabilization, 1080p video recording
  • Processor: 4 cores, Kryo, up to 2.2 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 | 8 cores, 64 bit, up to 1.8 GHz, Snapdragon 652 (Lifestyle)
  • Graphics chip: Adreno 530
  • RAM: 4 GB (3 GB for Lifestyle)
  • Internal memory: 32/64 GB
  • Memory card: microSD (up to 2 TB)
  • GPS and GLONASS
  • Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX
  • Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
  • USB Type-C
  • HDMI MHL 3.0
  • nano-SIM
  • 24-bit DAC, BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition with Dolby Audio
  • Accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, barometer, finger scanner
  • Battery: unknown, 3000 mAg, Quick Charge 3.0
  • Dimensions: 145.9 x 71.9 x 3.0-9 mm
  • Vaga: 161 g

In 2013, the HTC One smartphone was released. In addition to other advantages, the device was equipped with a non-standard camera, which contained a technology that was called Ultrapixel. A Taiwanese videographer called the introduction of ultrapixels a breakthrough in the field of mobile photography, and some of these other videographers will decide to stop dimming the camera capacity of smartphones for an additional number of megapixels.

Light-sensitive elements in primary cameras

First, let's briefly learn about the principle of rotating light filters on a matrix using the Baer circuit, which is used in almost all mobile photographic modules. The matrix contains elements that are sensitive to light. They are called "senseli". These elements capture light, transforming it into an electric charge. Leather senseel can be purchased in one color - blue, green or red.

Not a lot of Bayer's array of color filters is concerned with the appearance of color artifacts and moires in the photo. To rectify the situation, use a special filter that smoothes out the images, making them appear slightly blurred (the title and the name “mill”). This is clearly visible when changing the scale of photographs taken on amateur cameras and mobile photo modules.

In fact, most smartphone makers are trying to fit more pixels onto the image sensor to increase the photo output. With an increase in the number of megapixels, the area of ​​the skin pixel changes. As a result, the stench becomes less palatable until light, photographs come out dark, and noise appears on them. To compensate for the lack of lightening, open the aperture wider, and to combat noise, combine the neighboring pixels.

The essence of UltraPixel technology and its advantages

HTC have upgraded the camera on the other side: they changed the size to 4 megapixels, and changed the pixel axis to ultrapixels, increasing their size to 2 micrometers, versus 1.1 micrometers meters (microns) for 13 MP sensors.

UltraPixel technology transfers the placement of sensors on a photo matrix into three spheres, the skin of which is covered with red, blue and green colors. In this case, the area of ​​the light-sensitive elements is 3 times larger (up to 4 µm square) in relation to the “primary” sensors.

A similar principle has long been used in Foveon matrices, which are supplied with Sigma DSLRs.

In essence, this decision is a major advantage:

  • Ultra pixels capture approximately 300% more light, meaning you can capture clear photos in the dark;
  • There is a reduction in the amount of noise during the time of insufficient lightening in the mind;
  • people who collapse and the objects in the photograph are practically not smeared;
  • However, in the wider HDR range, dark areas are highlighted, and light areas are not overexposed;
  • There is no need for a filter that smoothes, which is the reason for the reduction in the Bayer matrix.

Shortcomings of UltraPixel technology

Theoretically, whose idea has great advantages. As a matter of fact, I decided to upgrade to 4 megapixels. After an hour of shooting distant objects and landscapes, photographs suffer from low detail.

Why only 4 megapixels, why not more? It's absolutely possible. However, be aware that ultrapixels need more space than the “small ones”. Apparently, the physical size of the photomatrix increases in size, and thus the module itself. The mass response to the small, compact camera on smartphones means that not everyone can accept the sudden change in its diameter. Therefore, in “EichTiSi”, promoting UltraPixel, they decided to use fewer separate areas for the design of the mobile device housing.

It is possible that future camera phones will be equipped with a larger matrix, but today, instead of “small” pixels, ultra pixels will be replaced.

Where else will ultrapixels get stuck?

The word UltraPixel was invented by HTC marketers, who were the first to test the technology of increasing pixels on the camera sensor in a smartphone. The idea turned out to be promising, and later it became known that devices from Apple (iPad Air 2), as well as Google, together with LG and Huawei, had released the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The name UltraPixel never caught on, so it doesn’t get stuck in the descriptions of these devices.

Later, Samsung showed a new smartphone on display – the Galaxy S7 edge, with a 1/2.5” matrix and larger pixels up to 1.4 microns. To finalize: in the Galaxy S6, the size of the 16-megapixel photo matrix becomes 1/2.6″, and the skin pixel – 1.2 microns.

If you look at this photo, taken on Note 5 (left-handed) and Galaxy S7 (right-handed), it seems that the photos are almost identical.

However, with a hundred hundredths increase in surrounding fragments, the difference in detail is immediately visible.

Larger pixels are used in photo equipment of a professional level, and in SLR cameras. However, if you use available DSLR cameras with a standard (included) lens, you will be ahead of the curve when faced with the problem of insufficient lighting. The stinks catch more light, and in the finished pictures, sound, less noise. It seems that the pixel density in DSLR cameras was the same as in most compact cameras, as well as smartphones, and the total number exceeded 120 megapixels. By the way, the most sophisticated models at the moment can take 36 megapixels separately, with a maximum of 51.4 megapixels.


Cost difference for poorly lit cameras with large and small pixels

You will also be entitled to:


Unfortunately, among the flagship smartphones, the optimal camera size has become 8 megapixels, which has been the norm for a long time. The development of mobile infrastructure and social services, allowing people to share their photos through Merezha directly from their smartphones, led to the end of 2011, when video companies set a course for reducing the capacity of mobile photos. I think the result, close to the end of 2012, was in the race of megapixels - almost all companies voted for the creation of flagships with 13 MP cameras, but the increase in the separate number of images did not change Their deliciousness. This problem was taken up by HTC, equipping the flagship One with a camera with UltraPixel technology.

At the presentation, HTC speakers talked a lot about the innovative UltraPixel camera installed in One, but carefully avoided talking about it, saying: “The megapixel race is over.” Promotional materials also contain some kind of mystery about the maximum separation of photos from HTC One. The bits that were leaked a couple of years before the announcement were guessing 4 MP matrices, which was immediately confirmed by prototypes and exhibition copies that were held in the hands. True, HTC One takes photos with a maximum resolution of 2688 x 1520 pixels, which is just like 4 megapixels.

Why did HTC decide not to follow the trend by installing the original 13 megapixel module from Sony, but instead began to take a huge risk in marketing? The company confirms that There is no need for the desired sensation to work great for the separate production of the middle core, because most of them are viewed on the screen of mobile devices or in the gallery of social services, but not on the entire screen. And the capacity of the seeds, which did not fade during the rest of the river, is very important for the size and allowed.

Head "trick" UltraPixel – large pixel size on the matrix: it is 2 µm, versus 1.1 µm for the average competitor with a 13 MP camera. This allows the skin pixel of the matrix snort 300 times more than light. Together with a record-breaking f/2.0 aperture, which lets in a lot of light, and a new generation ImageChip processor, it allows you to take clear and clear pictures in dark areas. Wanting a final assessment of UltrPixel's superiority over competitors in real minds of not ideally lit halls and rooms to appear after the release of the HTC One on sale, most of the public that was holding the One in their hands is already clicking.

This is a great help for UltraPixel optical stabilization system (OIS). With the help of position sensors, it evaluates the movement of the smartphone along the axes and compensates for sharp edges, so that photos on HTC One appear even clearer. Of course, there is a stabilization program, which is found in most other smartphones, but it is not as effective.

The work of marketers and PR specialists of the Taiwanese manufacturer will be very important; they need to convey to people that the presence of cameras will not forever be important. We can no longer trust the genius of HTC engineers and the HTC One with the wonderful UltraPixel camera is on sale. It’s good that in Russia the product may appear in the other half of the world.

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