Sony could finally join the 200MP camera party later this year

Samsung has long offered 200MP camera sensors for smartphones, but Sony has typically eschewed this approach in lieu of 50MP one-inch sensors. Now, it sounds like the Japanese firm might embrace 200MP cameras after all.

Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has claimed that Sony is working on a 200MP camera sensor for use as a main camera. Check out the machine-translated post below.

The tipster also claimed in a follow-up comment that the new Sony sensor would be “a little bigger” than 1/1.3 inches. By contrast, Samsung’s largest 200MP sensors indeed have a 1/1.3-inch sensor. This suggests that Sony’s camera will offer improved light intake and, therefore, better image quality.

We’ve had mixed thoughts about full-resolution 200MP shots over the years, so we aren’t expecting Sony’s 200MP sensor to be much better in this regard. However, a 200MP main camera should be able to deliver 2x and 3x images at a lossless resolution, reducing the need for a short-range telephoto camera. We’re also keen to see whether Sony has any other tricks up its sleeve to capture better photos in general, such as its two-layer transistor tech.