(Detailed Review) Which is Better Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 686

In this post, we’ll deep dive into Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 686 and talk about which one is better for your next smartphone.

The quality of the camera sensor plays a crucial role in capturing high-quality images and videos of smartphone cameras. Sony is one of the leading camera sensor manufacturers and has released several high-end camera sensors for smartphones, including Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 686.

In this blog post, we will compare these two camera sensors in detail and explore their features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.

Importance of sensors in smartphones:

The camera sensor is an essential part of a smartphone camera as it captures the image by converting light into electrical signals. The quality of the sensor determines the quality of the captured image, including the level of detail, color accuracy, and low-light performance. Thus, choosing the right sensor is critical to capturing high-quality images and videos.

A brief overview of Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 686 sensors:

Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 686 are two popular camera sensors manufactured by Sony, and both of them are widely used in many high-end smartphones. The IMX 766 is a newer sensor released in 2021, while the IMX 686 was released in 2019. The IMX 766 features a larger sensor size, better low-light performance, and improved autofocus capabilities, while the IMX 686 offers a higher resolution and consistent color reproduction.

In this post we will compare the features, advantages, and disadvantages of Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 686 camera sensors, to help you choose the right sensor for your photography needs.

Read Also – Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 890

Features of Sony IMX 766:

Resolution

The Sony IMX 766 features a 50-megapixel resolution, making it one of the highest-resolution sensors on the market.

Sensor size:

The IMX 766 features a larger 1/1.56-inch sensor size, which allows it to capture more light and provide better low-light performance.

Pixel size:

The IMX 766 features a 1.0μm pixel size, which is smaller than the IMX 686 but is compensated by the larger sensor size and better low-light performance.

Autofocus

The IMX 766 features an improved autofocus system, including omnidirectional phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) and contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF), which provides faster and more accurate autofocus.

Video capabilities:

The IMX 766 supports 4K video recording at 60fps, making it suitable for high-quality video recording.

Low-light performance:

The IMX 766 features a larger sensor size and improved noise reduction technology, providing better low-light performance compared to other sensors.

Dynamic range:

The IMX 766 features a wide dynamic range, allowing it to capture a wide range of tones and details in a single shot.

Read Also – Sony IMX766 vs Sony IMX789

Features Sony IMX 890

The Sony IMX 890 is a 1/1.32-inch image sensor that is commonly used in high-end smartphones. It was released in 2021 to upgrade the popular Sony IMX 766 sensor. Let’s take a closer look at some of its key features:

Resolution:

The Sony IMX 890 has a resolution of 50 megapixels, which is much higher than the 50-megapixel resolution of the Sony IMX 766.

Sensor size:

The Sony IMX 890 features a 1/1.32-inch sensor, which is a little bigger than the 1/1.56-inch sensor found in the Sony IMX 766. This larger sensor size allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in improved low-light performance.

Pixel size:

Despite having a higher resolution, the Sony IMX 890’s pixel size is slightly smaller than that of the Sony IMX 766. The pixel size of the Sony IMX 890 is 1.0μm, compared to the 1.2μm pixel size of the Sony IMX 766.

Autofocus:

The Sony IMX 890 uses a dual-pixel autofocus system, which allows for faster and more accurate focusing. This is an improvement over the Sony IMX 766’s phase detection autofocus system.

Video capabilities:

The Sony IMX 890 supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second and 4K video recording at 120 frames per second. This is a big upgrade over the Sony IMX 766, which can only capture 4K video at 60 frames per second.

Low-light performance:

The bigger sensor size of the Sony IMX 890, combined with its advanced noise reduction algorithms, allows it to capture better low-light photos than the Sony IMX 766.

Dynamic range:

The Sony IMX 890 has a wider dynamic range than the Sony IMX 766, which means it can capture more detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image.

Read Also – SAMSUNG ISOCELL HM6 vs SONY IMX766

Comparing Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 890:

Resolution:

The IMX 890 has a much higher resolution than the IMX 766, which means it can capture more detail in an image. However, higher resolution doesn’t always mean better image quality, as smaller pixels can impact low-light performance.

Sensor size:

The IMX 890 has a larger sensor size than the IMX 766, which means it can capture more light and detail in an image. This can result in better image quality and low-light performance.

Pixel size:

The IMX 766 has larger pixels than the IMX 890, which means it can capture more light in low-light conditions. However, smaller pixels can allow for higher-resolution images.

Autofocus & OIS:

Both sensors have enhanced autofocus capabilities, which make them suitable for portrait photography. OIS (optical image stabilization) is also present in both sensors, which reduces camera shake and improves image stability.

Video capabilities:

The IMX 890 has better video capabilities than the IMX 766, which can shoot 8K video at 30 frames per second. However, the IMX 766 has limited video capabilities compared to other sensors.

Low-light performance:

The IMX 766 has better low-light performance than the IMX 890, thanks to its larger pixel size. However, the IMX 890’s larger sensor size can help capture more light and detail in low-light conditions.

Dynamic range:

Dynamic range means to the range of light and dark tones that a camera can capture in a single shot. The Sony IMX 766 has a wide dynamic range, which means it can capture a greater range of tones. This makes it suitable for capturing photos with a lot of contrast, such as landscapes. However, the Sony IMX 890 has a limited dynamic range, which means it may struggle to capture detail in very bright or very dark areas of a scene.

Color reproduction:

Color reproduction refers to the accuracy of the colors in a photo. The Sony IMX 766 has inconsistent color reproduction, which means the colors in a photo may not always look true to life. The Sony IMX 890, on the other hand, provides consistent color reproduction, which means that the colors in a photograph are more likely to look true to life.

RAW support:

RAW support is the ability to shoot in RAW format, which allows for better control over the final image in post-processing. Both the Sony IMX 766 and the Sony IMX 890 support RAW shooting.

Price:

The Sony IMX 766 and the Sony IMX 890 are both high-end sensors, and they are typically found in flagship smartphones. However, the Sony IMX 890 is usually found in more expensive smartphones, as it is a newer and more advanced sensor.

Pros and Cons Of Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 890:

ProsSony IMX 766Sony IMX 890
Higher resolution50 MP64 MP
Larger pixel size1.0 µm1.2 µm
Better low-light performanceUp to ISO 80,000Up to ISO 32,000
Wider dynamic range10-bit12-bit
ConsSony IMX 766Sony IMX 890
Smaller sensor size1/1.56″1/1.37″
Limited autofocus capabilitiesContrast-detect onlyPhase-detect
Limited video capabilities4K@30fps4K@60fps

As you can see, both sensors have their own set of strengths and weaknesses, and which one is better depends on your specific needs and use case. While the Sony IMX 766 has better low-light performance, wider dynamic range, and improved color reproduction, the Sony IMX 890 offers higher resolution, improved autofocus, and better RAW support. However, the Sony IMX 890 also has a higher price point and lower low-light performance and color reproduction. Ultimately, it’s important to weigh these pros and cons carefully before choosing which sensor is right for you.

Read Also – Which Mobile Camera Sensor is Best – Sony or Samsung

Conclusion

Both the Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 890 sensors have their own strengths and weaknesses. The IMX 766 is ideal for users who prioritize detailed image quality, enhanced autofocus, and wide dynamic range, while the IMX 890 is more suitable for those who prioritize improved image quality, better video capabilities, and consistent color reproduction. Ultimately, the choice between these two sensors will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

FAQs Sony IMX 766 vs Sony IMX 686

Q: What is the main difference between Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 686?

A: The main difference between Sony IMX 766 and Sony IMX 686 is the size of the sensor. The Sony IMX 766 has a larger sensor size, which can result in better low-light performance and higher dynamic range.

Q: Which sensor is better for low-light photography?

A: The Sony IMX 766 is generally considered to be better for low-light photography, thanks to its larger sensor size and better low-light performance.

Q: Which sensor is better for video?

A: Both sensors have similar video capabilities, but the Sony IMX 766 has slightly better autofocus, which can be beneficial for video.

Q: Does the sensor size affect the resolution of the camera?

A: Not necessarily. The resolution of the camera depends on the number of pixels on the sensor, not the size of the sensor itself.

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