Ultra high sensitivity dual camera with attention of Sony’s camera technology “Xperia XZ2 Premium” introduced by the development team

As a method of making things, it is a new product that consciously felt “Changing” that is felt somewhat challenging, but please tell me about the product concept in a bit more detail.

Ichino: In the overseas market, we are expressing it as “Entertainment to the Extreme”, but in the latest model, we can not only improve hardware-like functions but also as “experience” with our previous smartphones We are trying to realize that. In particular, I pursued thoroughly how to maximize the attractiveness of “content” which is the core of the experience.

One thing is to “take”. Now is the time that users create content, so we are making cameras with the theme of how to enhance expressiveness and broaden the range of expressions. Further challenge a new attempt on “watching”. By multiplying beautiful “video” and “sound” by elements called “vibration”, we propose content experiences with different dimensions than before (“Dynamic Vibration System” below).

What kind of technical breakthrough did you have in realizing the world’s first 4K HDR? 4K HDR movie shooting has been realized only with some models of high-end, even for dedicated video camera. Why was it possible to realize it with a smartphone as soon as possible?

Product design Inoue: Actually, the sensor itself of the camera itself had the ability to shoot 4K HDR movie from the previous model, but since the chipset did not correspond so far, 4K HDR movie shooting can be realized did not. However, with the new model, this is realized by installing the latest chipset. Finally we can now draw out the full potential of the sensor.

However, loading becomes high when photographing 4K HDR movies, so it must be designed to withstand its power consumption and heat. It’s the hardest thing to balance this in smartphones that are limited in size. Since the world’s first 4K movie shooting model “Xperia Z2” (the summer model of 2014), I think that it was possible to realize it only after accumulating know-how.

That is why I realized 4K HDR movie shooting ahead of the time because I realized 4K movie shooting earlier. So, what about shooting still images? First of all, please let us know if there are improvements in functionality common to the 3 products this time.

Ichino: Although the still picture shooting function of Xperia has been highly evaluated in the past, some customers have heard that they want to improve slight noise and darkness in dimly lit places We had it.

Camera charge Goto: So this time, we revamped the algorithm of the video engine “BIONZ ^® for mobile” significantly. It succeeded in tremendously improving the processing performance of noise, and it became possible to take pictures with low noise and detail feeling. Also, it adds processing that allows you to shoot quickly moving subjects without blurring.

It is a pleasing part for people who often take pictures indoors because the picture quality in dim places is even better. By the way, until now, I have talked about the camera function of “3 products common”, but from now on, can you tell us the merit of “dual camera” which is the new axis only for “Xperia XZ2 Premium”?

Ichino: The idea of ​​shooting a combination of multiple cameras has appeared several years ago and has already been adopted by many products in the smartphone market. However, as Sony Mobile, we regard the camera as a compound eye as one means of improving the camera function to the last. I am not concerned with compound eyes, but I am thinking about how we can take beautiful pictures, so far products have adopted monocular as a result. In fact, we also realized high sensitivity shooting equivalent to ISO 12800 (at the time of still image shooting) by combining a large 1 / 2.3 type image sensor comparable to a compact digital camera and “BIONZ for mobile” It is.

And this time, with “Xperia XZ2 Premium”, Sony’s original Motion Eye ™ Dual camera combining color and monochrome and two 1 / 2.3 type large sensors realizes high sensitivity shooting comparable to digital single lens camera . Ultrahigh sensitivity shooting equivalent to ISO 51200 for still images and ISO 12800 for animation is now available. By doing this, it makes it possible to shoot clearly moving subjects even in dark places without blurring.

Equivalent to ISO 51200, even when shooting movies ISO 12800 is exactly a single lens camera class! Also, it is felt that the image quality at the time of shooting in the dark is improving even if you look at actual examples as well as numerical values. Can you further step on the technical advantages of dual cameras equipped with “Xperia XZ2 Premium” that could achieve such high performance?

Inoue: The dual camera of “Xperia XZ2 Premium” is divided into three main parts. A color / monochrome camera module equipped with a CMOS image sensor, a newly developed image fusion processing processor named “AUBE ™ (Orb)”, and an advanced video engine “BIONZ for mobile” It is realizing.

As for the strengthening of “BIONZ for mobile” common to three products, I explained from Goto earlier, but with the dual camera, the camera module is completely renewed with full cooperation of Sony group’s semiconductor division and camera division. In order to achieve high sensitivity, we have newly designed a bright lens, F1.8 for color cameras and F1.6 for monochrome cameras.

And the biggest kimo is the new development of “AUBE” processor which combines the two video signals output from the camera module.By doing this, real-time fusion processing of inputs from multiple cameras, which could not be realized in the past, has become possible.I believe that it is the greatest technical advantage of “Xperia XZ2 Premium” that it became possible to enjoy the merit of dual cameras even with moving pictures.

Xperia XZ2 Premium super high sensitivity photograph comparison movie

Goto: This Motion Eye ™ Dual camera system is a gift of “One Sony”. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Inc., which develops semiconductor devices, Sony’s research and development department, which is engaged in research and development of image recognition and image sensing technologies, and Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, which develops camera equipment, It was developed and developed. The effect is obvious if you can see the actual picture. You should be able to feel the difference in quality clearly.

Other companies are increasingly smart phones adopting the so-called “almost full screen” design, which narrowed the bezel on the front and the upper side to increase the occupation area of ​​the display to the limit, but you can tell us the idea of ​​Sony Mobile against such a trend Is it?

I see. What is important is the total balance. Then, please also tell me about the “image quality” of the display. What points are improved in display performance other than size?

In addition, is there any ingenuity that you are going to do to enhance the realism of the image?

That is the aim of the new design adopted this time, the back curve is a big curved.

Ishida: The concept is “Ambient Flow”. I expressed that the technology contained in Xperia blended into the life with the user. This concept is not only the shape of the hardware but also the design concept of the entire Xperia including coloring and materials, surface finishing, and user interface.

Please tell me about points that I especially stick to as designers about such body designs, if you would like me to see them.

Ishida: First of all, would you like to touch the beautiful curved surface on the back? By adopting new 3D glasses in this season’s model, seamless shaping with a metal frame is made possible. In addition, the glass material has become a material highly compatible with the wireless charge newly installed this time.

By reconsidering the internal structure greatly, we were able to place the main camera, which was conventionally located in the back corner, in the center part. It is one of the merit of the new design that it became possible to take more natural shooting by aligning the center axis of the camera and the display.

Besides the camera, the fingerprint sensor also moved to the back center.

Ishida: In the conventional model, it was necessary to switch to the home position after unlocking with the fingerprint sensor, but in the new model, it is easy to use position where fingers naturally can be gripped while holding the main body at the home position I moved the fingerprint sensor to. Because it is arranged in the center in the back, you can use it with the right hand or the left hand in the same way.

Ichino: When you touch the fingerprint sensor from the screen off state, the screen on and unlock are done at the same time and you can start using it immediately.There is no need to operate the power button or tap or swipe the display. In addition, since the function to turn on the screen by releasing the sleep only by lifting the main body is newly installed, it became more natural operability.

Actually trying it, it is only necessary to add fingers naturally without special operation, so it felt that the trouble of “to unlock” action was reduced more than before. Finally, please tell me the intention of putting in each design, 3 models which appearance impression differs greatly.

Ishida: The theme of CMF (color material finish) common to all three products is “Flow of Light”. Like a comfortable light full of everyday life, I aimed for a more naturally blended environment. 3 In accordance with the product’s nature of the model, it is finished in color and texture expressing different light effects.

Specifically, “Xperia XZ2 Premium” realized an elegant appearance suitable for a premium model, with the theme of reflection of light, with aluminum frame and chrome mirror style 3D glasses. “Xperia XZ 2” expresses the sense of depth unique to glass, with a theme of transmission of light, half mirror treated on the glass surface, facial expression changes by light and angle. “Xperia XZ2 Compact” gives a fresh frosty texture that makes use of the round form that adapts to the hand, with the theme of light diffusion as the theme.