New sensor from Sony released

Sony Semiconductor Solutions introduced the LYTIA 720 on Wednesday, October 28. This is the latest addition to Sony’s line of image sensors, used in smartphones and other devices to capture photos and videos.

Similar size and capacity to predecessor

The LYTIA 720 has the same 50 megapixel capacity and 1/1.56 inch sensor size as the LYTIA 700, which Sony says is a widely used format in the industry. This means it fits into similar phone designs and camera modules.

Improved low-light performance

The LYTIA 720 includes circuits typically found in more expensive sensors, which help reduce noise in low-light conditions by about 50%. It also allows for 4K video at 60 frames per second with HDR, thanks to the UHCG (Ultra High Conversion Gain) circuit that improves light-to-signal conversion.

Enhanced dynamic range

The sensor uses a technique called Hybrid Frame-HDR, which takes two exposures of the same scene—one for shadows and mid-tones, and another for bright areas—and combines them. This provides a dynamic range of 100 dB, allowing for better detail in both dark and bright parts of a photo or video.

Better video capabilities

Sony has improved the analog-to-digital converters in the LYTIA 720, making them faster and more energy-efficient. This allows the sensor to record 4K video at 60 frames per second with HDR using all pixels simultaneously, something not previously available in this sensor format.

HDR in single exposure

With HDR enabled, the LYTIA 720 captures the entire scene in one exposure, avoiding ghosting when subjects move. Without HDR, it can record 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, significantly faster than the LYTIA 700, which is limited to 60 frames per second with HDR and 30 without.

Downscaled high-end features

The LYTIA 720 brings features previously only available in the larger LYTIA 828 sensor, which has a 1/1.28 inch size and 1.22 micrometer pixels. This means high-end imaging capabilities are now available in a smaller, more affordable sensor.

Final image depends on phone design

While the LYTIA 720 offers advanced features, the final image quality also depends on the phone’s image processing and the manufacturer’s software settings. Sony has not yet announced which specific smartphones will use the new sensor.

Release date set for 2026

The first mass shipments of the LYTIA 720 to manufacturers are expected in early November 2026, giving phone makers time to integrate the sensor into new models before they reach consumers.