Sony releases specifications of mft sensor that can record 8k videos at 30fps

Sony has released a document detailing the specifications of an MFT sensor capable of recording 8k videos at 30 frames per second. The sensor records these images with an aspect ratio of 17:9. They have a resolution of 47 megapixels.

The IMX492LQJ records videos at a resolution of up to 8192×5556 pixels at 24fps when using all the pixels on the sensor. When users lower the resolution to 8192×4320 pixels with an aspect ratio of 17:9, the maximum frame rate is increased to 31.3fps. This is exactly four times the resolution of the Panasonic GH5s, which has a maximum resolution of 4096×2160 pixels with an aspect ratio of 17:9.

It is striking that the new sensor seems to have an aspect ratio of 3:2 when all pixels are used. Micro four thirds sensors typically have an aspect ratio of 4:3. The new sensor from Sony therefore seems to be slightly wider than a standard MFT sensor. The new sensor has an image diagonal of 23.1 millimeters, while a standard MFT sensor has an image diagonal of 21.6 mm.

The document from Sony states that the new sensor should be used in industrial and surveillance cameras. This does not mean that a variant of this sensor will not appear in a consumer camera. It is not yet clear whether and when this will happen.