IMX178LQJ
Diagonal 8.92 mm (Type 1/1.8) 6.44M-Effective Pixel
Color CMOS Image Sensor

Back-illuminated Structure CMOS Image Sensor for Security Cameras and Industrial Applications Achieves
High Sensitivity and High Dynamic Range
Sony developed back-illuminated structure CMOS image sensor,"IMX178LQJ", supporting three formats of 4:3, 5:4, and 16:9 ratiowith type 1/2 in 5M-Effective pixel. Adopting back-illuminatedstructure with 2.4 μm unit pixel and 14 bit ADC, it provides all
three advantages of high resolution, high sensitivity, and highdynamic range, which are necessary for security cameras.

■ Back-illuminated structure 2.4 μm unit pixel■ 10 bit/12 bit/14 bit A/D converters■ Supporting type 1/2 5M effective pixels in 3 formats* Exmor R is a trademark of Sony Corporation. The Exmor R is a Sony's CMOS image sensor withsignificantly enhanced imaging characteristics including sensitivity and low noise by changing
fundamental structure of ExmorTM pixel adopted column parallel A/D converter to back-illuminated type.

■ HLP (High Light Performance) mode
■ LLP (Low Light Performance) mode
■ Pin compatible with the existing product"IMX185LQJ"*1*STARVIS is a trademark of Sony Corporation. The STARVIS is back-illuminated pixel technology usedin CMOS image sensors for surveillance camera applications. It features a sensitivity of 2000 mV or
more per 1 μm2 (color product, when imaging with a 706 cd/m2 light source, F5.6 in 1 s accumulationequivalent), and realizes high picture quality in the visible-light and near infrared light regions.

*1: For details on the IMX185LQJ, see the New Products section of this volume.

High Sensitivity
To achieve high sensitivity, which is one of the most importantcharacteristics for security cameras, this time Sony developedback-illuminated structure 2.4 μm unit pixel and accomplishedthe equivalent sensitivity as the existing back-illuminatedstructure 2.8 μm unit pixel, "IMX136LQJ"*2. Also near infraredsensitivity was improved from the IMX136LQJ, which isequivalent to the IMX236LQJ*3, and it is suitable for Day/Night
cameras and near infrared light LED used as auxiliary light.
*2: See the New Products section in CX-NEWS, Volume 68.
*3: For details on the IMX236LQJ, see the New Products section of this volume.

High Dynamic Range
Dynamic range is determined by the ratio of saturation signaland dark random noise. The IMX178LQJ featuring 14 bit ADC
reduced quantization noise and also suppressed dark random
noise. At the result, high dynamic range was achieved, whichis equivalent to the existing 3.75 μm unit pixel, theIMX104LQJ*4. It enables clear image quality in light and darkareas even for the objects with high contrast.
*4: See the New Products section in CX-NEWS, Volume 68.

Image Format
The format for image size of security camera is typically 4:3,
5:4 for fisheye lens, or 16:9 for full HD. The IMX178LQJ
supports all these three formats in 5M pixels high resolution.
Also it secures high resolution as well as high sensitivity andhigh dynamic range at the same time, therefore the specification works best for high performance security cameras withtype 1/2 lenses.

Compatibility with Existing Sony Products
The IMX178LQJ is pin compatible with the 3.75 μm unit pixel
full HD image sensor, the ICX185LQJ, supporting type 1/2lenses. If you are using the IMX185LQJ, please do not missthe chance to try the performance of the IMX178LQJ.

2

＜Photograph 1＞ All-pixel Scan, and 5M Pixels in Three Formats: 4:3, 5:4, and 16:9
Number of recommended recording pixels: All-pixel scan approx. 6.29M pixels (3:2), approx.
5.04M pixels (4:3), approx. 5.24M pixels (5:4), and approx. 5.31M pixels (16:9).

All-pixel scan

5M 4:3

5M 5:4

5M 16:9

recommended recording
3072H × 2048V

recommended recording
2592H × 1944V

recommended recording
2560H × 2048V

recommended recording
3072H × 1728V＜Photograph 2＞
Sample Images(recommended recording approx.
5.04M pixels, 4:3, ADC 12 bit mode,59.94 frame/s)

1000 lx HLP mode internal gain 12 dB, F5.6

1 lx LLP mode internal gain 51 dB, F1.4

A/D conversion 12 bit mode

A/D conversion 14 bit mode

＜Photograph 3＞
High Dynamic Range Imaging(recommended recording approx.
5.04M pixels, 4:3, 29.97 frame/s HLP
mode, internal gain 0 dB, F5.6)＜Table 1＞ Device Structure＜Table 2＞ Image Sensor Characteristics

Item

IMX178LQJ

image size

Diagonal 8.92 mm (Type 1/1.8) Approx. 6.38M pixels all-pixel scan
Diagonal 7.83 mm (Type 1/2.0) Approx. 5.11M pixels 4:3
Diagonal 7.92 mm (Type 1/2.0) Approx. 5.32M pixels 5:4
Diagonal 8.51 mm (Type 1/1.9) Approx. 5.39M pixels 16:9

Item

IMX178LQJ

Remarks

sensitivity (F5.6)

Typ.

425 mV

1/30s accumulation

Saturation signal

Min.

945 mVTj = 60 °C

Transfer method

All-pixel scan

Number of effective pixels

3096 (H) × 2080 (V) Approx. 6.44M pixels

Unit cell size

2.4 μm (H) × 2.4 μm (V)Drive mode

Number of recommended
recording pixels

ADC

Horizontal

Front:0 pixels, rear: 0 pixels

All-pixel scan

3072 (H) × 2048 (V) approx.
6.29M pixels

Vertical

Front:14 pixels, rear: 0 pixels

5M 4:32592 (H) × 1944 (V) approx.
5.04M pixels

5M 5:42560 (H) × 2048 (V) approx.
5.24M pixels

5M 16:93072 (H) ×1728 (V) approx.
5.31M pixels

12 bit14 bit12 bit14 bit12 bit14 bit12 bit14 bitOptical blacks

Input drive frequency

54 MHz/27 MHz/74.25 MHz/37.125 MHz

Package

128-pin LGA

Supply voltage VDD (Typ.)

2.9 V/1.8 V/1.2 V＜Table 3＞ Basic Drive Mode

29.97 frame/s
29.97 frame/s
59.94 frame/s
29.97 frame/s
59.94 frame/s
29.97 frame/s
60 frame/s
30 frame/s