News in short

• Sony has announced the LYTIA 720, a 50-megapixel image sensor designed for smartphone cameras.
• The stacked CMOS sensor uses a 1/1.56-inch optical format and 1.0-micrometre pixels.
• Sony claims its low-noise technology reduces random image noise by approximately 50%.
• Hybrid Frame-HDR technology enables a claimed dynamic range of up to 100dB.
• Mass-production shipments are scheduled to begin in early November 2026.

Sony Semiconductor Solutions has announced the LYTIA 720, a new 50-megapixel image sensor designed for smartphone cameras. The sensor targets primary rear cameras and focuses on low-light photography, high dynamic range and high-resolution video recording.

Sony says its proprietary low-noise circuitry can reduce random image noise by approximately 50% compared with a conventional product. The sensor also supports 4K HDR video recording at 60 frames per second.

Mass-production shipments are scheduled to begin in early November. However, Sony has not confirmed which smartphone models will use the new sensor.

Sony LYTIA 720 specifications and camera features

The Sony LYTIA 720 is a stacked CMOS image sensor with an effective resolution of approximately 50 megapixels. It has a 1/1.56-inch optical format, a diagonal measurement of 10.24mm and individual pixels measuring 1.0 micrometre.

The sensor uses a Quad Bayer colour filter and supports all-pixel autofocus. It can capture 50-megapixel images in a 4:3 aspect ratio at up to 30 frames per second.

For faster capture, the sensor supports 12.5-megapixel images at up to 90fps. It can also capture 12.5-megapixel images at up to 30fps with DCG-HDR.

These modes give smartphone manufacturers options for balancing resolution, capture speed and HDR processing. However, the final camera experience will depend on how each manufacturer implements the sensor and processes images.

Sony claims 50% less image noise in low light

Low-light photography is one of the main areas Sony highlights with the LYTIA 720. The sensor uses Ultra High Conversion Gain (UHCG) circuitry alongside Sony’s proprietary low-noise circuit technology.

According to Sony, this combination reduces random noise by approximately 50% compared with a conventional product. Lower image noise can help reduce visible grain in darker scenes.

The sensor also uses Hybrid Frame-HDR (HF-HDR) technology. Sony claims this can deliver a dynamic range of up to 100dB.

Dynamic range describes how well a camera captures detail across bright and dark areas of a scene. A wider range can help preserve highlights while retaining information in shadows, although actual results depend on the camera system and shooting conditions.

These figures are Sony’s stated performance claims. Independent testing will be needed to establish how the sensor performs in commercial smartphones.

LYTIA 720 supports 4K video at up to 120fps

The Sony LYTIA 720 supports video recording at 4K resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It can capture footage at up to 120fps, while 4K recording with DCG-HDR is supported at up to 60fps.

Higher frame rates can help smartphones capture smoother motion and provide more flexibility for slow-motion footage. HDR recording can help retain detail across brighter and darker parts of a scene.

However, support at the sensor level does not guarantee that every phone using it will offer all recording modes. Manufacturers may impose limits based on processing power, heat management, storage and camera software.

When will smartphones get the Sony LYTIA 720 sensor?

Sony plans to begin mass-production shipments of the LYTIA 720 in early November 2026. The company has not named any smartphone manufacturers or models that will use it.

The sensor could give phone makers another option for improving camera hardware, particularly for low-light photography and high-resolution video. Its practical impact will become clearer when manufacturers announce devices featuring the new component and independent testing becomes available.