4K High Resolution, Compact and HDR Security Camera Image Sensor 1/2.8" 8.4 MP IMX908 | Image Sensor for Security Cameras | Image Sensor | Products & Solutions

Overview

The IMX908 is a CMOS image sensor for security camera applications with Sony’s proprietary back-illuminated pixel technology STARVIS 3™. It is a 1/2.8-type sensor with approximately 8.4 megapixels (4K compatible). With the industry’s smallest^*1 1.45 μm LOFIC^*2 pixel, it can deliver a high dynamic range (HDR) of up to 96 dB in a single-shot exposure. Clear images can be obtained both in dark and bright environments without the need to switch modes.

The combination of the back-illuminated structure and deep photodiode layer also realizes high performance in low-light conditions and high sensitivity to the near-infrared spectrum, both of which are important in the security camera market. This means highly accurate recognition performance, even during night-time or under infrared light conditions, enhancing reliable monitoring, day or night, in diverse applications, including security cameras and dashcams.

*1) Among CMOS image sensors for security camera applications: data by Sony. (Correct as of the public announcement in March 2026.)
*2) Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor

Features

LOFIC structure delivering high dynamic range

The IMX908 is equipped with STARVIS 3 technology and adopts our new LOFIC structure. While conventional sensors store the electric charges produced by photoelectric conversion only within the photodiodes, the LOFIC structure can also store these charges in the Floating Diffusion (FD) region. Moreover, the redundant capacitor added to the FD enable the charge saturation capacity to be as much as 20 times more than previous models.^*3 As a result, overexposure and underexposure are significantly reduced, even in high-contrast settings.

*3) Compared with the IMX778, SSS’s 1/2.8-type security camera image sensor with approx. 8.45 million effective pixels.

Mechanism of general LOFIC pixel technology

Comparison between general structure and that adopted in IMX908

4K resolution and compact design

With the industry’s smallest micro-order LOFIC pixel of 1.45 μm, this compact image sensor comes in the 1/2.8 type, a standard size widely adopted in security cameras and dashcam markets. Yet, it has approximately 8.4 megapixels, offering 4K-format compatibility. It also offers ease of installation, thanks to its compact camera size, and high image quality.

The back-illuminated structure enables excellent sensitivity and superb performance under low-light conditions

The combination of a back-illuminated structure and deep photodiode layer allows for high sensitivity, even with small pixels. Clear images can be captured while reducing noise, even in dark places or during nighttime operations. The image sensor facilitates reliable monitoring in low-light environments.

Optimizing resolution

The IMX908 is designed with enhanced light shields to reduce the inter-pixel signal contamination, to which small pixels are prone. In particular, it significantly reduces the degradation of resolution in the near-infrared spectrum to produce images with clearer details. The device helps capture crisp images in challenging settings, such as backlit, high-contrast, and nighttime conditions.

High-efficiency HDR image generation technology (Clear HDR3)

The product is equipped with Clear HDR3 technology, which generates a 4K high-dynamic-range (HDR) image by instantaneously synthesizing multiple frames within the sensor in real time. This removes the need for complex external synthesizing processes while enabling low-latency and high-precision HDR image output. Furthermore, it features a new design circuit that achieves 30 fps for single-shot-exposure HDR imaging. This makes it possible to achieve both a high dynamic range of up to 96 dB and fast image output. Its ability to achieve smooth and natural imaging, even with a target in motion or in a dynamic scene, is ideal for the highly accurate, instantaneous recognition required in applications such as security cameras and dashcams.

Wide dynamic range which the IMX908 captures in a single-shot exposure

Imaging comparison between conventional products and the IMX908

Technology

Security Camera Image Sensor Technology STARVIS / STARVIS 2 / STARVIS 3

Find out more about STARVIS 3 technology here.

Specifications

	IMX908-AQR1
Image size	Diagonal 6.42 mm (Type1/2.8)
Effective pixels	3,856 (H) × 2,180 (V) Approx. 8.4 megapixels
Unit cell size	1.45 μm (H) × 1.45 μm (V)
Frame rate	10bit: 90 fps 12bit: 60 fps
Input drive frequency	24 / 27 / 37.125 / 72 / 74.25 MHz
Power supply	1.1 / 1.8 / 3.3 V
Shutter mode	Rolling Shutter
HDR-supporting features	Clear HDR^1 (30 fps, 16bit) Clear HDR3^1 (30 fps, 16bit) Hybrid HDR3^*1 (30 fps, 12bit) DOL/12bit 2F 30 fps DOL/10bit 3F 30 fps
SNR1s	0.53lx
Dynamic range	96dB (Clear HDR3)
Output interface	MIPI D-PHY 2 / 4 Lane
Filter	Bayer
Package	Ceramic LGA AR coating 12.0 ㎜ (H) x 9.3 ㎜ (V)
Product overview PDF	IMX908-AQR1 (Color)

*1) Uses internal compositing.

Applications

Facility surveillance

Street monitoring

Dashcam

Real-time audience monitoring

Facility surveillance

The IMX908 is an ideal image sensor for security cameras installed near access points or in public areas of smart buildings, commercial establishments, public facilities, and more.
STARVIS 3 technology facilitates single-exposure HDR and high-sensitivity designs to reduce overexposure and underexposure, even in settings with volatile lighting environments, always ensuring crisp images. It can recognize people and routes as well as movements of visitors with high accuracy, even in a backlit or dark scene, not only enhancing security performance, but also improving efficiency in terms of visitor analysis, store operation, and more.

Related sectors

Safety monitoring

Conceptual image of Facility surveillance

Street monitoring

The IMX908 can deliver its full performance equally well in outdoor monitoring applications, such as on roads and bridges as well as rail tracks. STARVIS 3 technology realizes a high dynamic range of up to 96 dB and high performance in low-light conditions, enabling imaging both in faint light at night and bright daylight without the need to switch modes. Also, its high sensitivity to the near-infrared spectrum facilitates consistent clear image quality even under infrared light conditions. Its ability to record every movement of vehicles, people, etc. renders invaluable support to continuous and reliable monitoring in cities and on infrastructure.

Related sectors

Safety monitoring

Dashcam

The IMX908 is also an ideal image sensor for dashcams. With Clear HDR3, it can generate synthetized HDR images in real time even when there are radical luminosity changes, for example, when going into or coming out of a tunnel, driving into bright light or at night. Its ability to capture highly accurate images instantaneously in a single exposure helps ensure enhanced visual evidence at the time of an accident or during other problematic incidents.

Related sectors

Dashcam

Real-time audience monitoring

The IMX908 offers potential in enhancing audience monitoring at live events, concerts, and stadiums. With its high sensitivity and low-noise performance as well as a high dynamic range of up to 96 dB, it facilitates clear imaging with minimal overexposure and underexposure, even with dramatic luminosity changes during theatrical lighting arrangements and blackouts. Detecting audience routing and irregular behaviors in real time can facilitate prompt responses to enhance safety management, easing congestion and other operations.

Related sectors

Safety monitoring