Sony IMX412 vs Sony IMX676: A detailed comparison of Sony sensors for Embedded Vision Solutions

Both IMX676 and IMX412 sensors belong to the same pixel class, but they are built on two distinct branches of Sony’s semiconductor evolution. The IMX412 leverages stacked BSI architecture to enable high frame rates and fast readout performance. The IMX676, built on the STARVIS 2 platform, combines BSI architecture with Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) technology and is renowned for delivering superior low-light sensitivity, improved dynamic range, and enhanced near-infrared response.

Understanding these architectural differences is essential when designing demanding vision applications where the choice between speed and image fidelity directly impacts overall system performance.

What Are IMX412 and IMX676 Sensors?

IMX412-Sony STARVIS

The IMX412 is a 12.3MP Type 1/2.3 diagonal 7.857 mm back-illuminated stacked CMOS image sensor with approximately 12.33 million active pixels. It uses the R, G, and B primary color mosaic filter and equips an electronic shutter with a variable integration time. The stacked architecture integrates the pixel array and processing circuitry on separate silicon layers, enabling very high frame rates. It is designed specifically for surveillance camera applications.

IMX676 – Sony STARVIS 2

The IMX676 is a 12.63-megapixel Sony back-illuminated CMOS image sensor built on the STARVIS 2 architecture. STARVIS 2 introduces Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) that dramatically reduces inter-pixel cross-talk compared to earlier BSI designs. This results in improved quantum efficiency, better color accuracy, and enhanced near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity. The IMX676 offers approximately 12.6 megapixels in a square format and is available in color and monochrome variants, making it highly versatile for industrial and machine vision applications.

Sony IMX676 vs IMX412: Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

The table below summarizes the key specifications of these sensors:

Feature	IMX676	IMX412
Optical Format	Type 1/1.6	Type 1/2.3 (7.857 mm diagonal)
Effective Pixels	~12.6 MP (3536 × 3536)	~12.47 MP (4072 × 3064)
Active Pixels	3536 × 3536	4056 × 3040 (~12.33 MP)
Pixel Size	2.0 µm	1.55 µm × 1.55 µm
Sensor Architecture	BSI (STARVIS 2)	BSI + Stacked (STARVIS)
Sensor Type	Color and monochrome	Color only
Max Frame Rate (Full Res)	12 bit 30 fps, 10 bit 60 fps 1080p 140 fps	60 fps (10-bit), 40 fps (12-bit)
HDR Support	DOL-HDR 2/3-frame + Clear HDR	DOL-HDR 2-frame
ADC	–	10-bit / 12-bit on-chip
Output Format	MIPI CSI-2	RAW12/10, MIPI CSI-2
MIPI Lanes	4 lanes	2, 4 or 8 lanes
Trigger/Sync	Master/slave/external	Dual sensor synchronization
Pixel Binning	Yes	Yes + V sub-sampling
Lower Power consumption	Yes	Yes

Sony IMX412 and Sony IMX676 Sensors: A Detailed Comparison

1. Sensor Architecture: STARVIS 2 vs. STARVIS

   The most fundamental difference between these sensors lies in their underlying silicon architecture.

   The IMX412-AACK employs a stacked BSI architecture where the photodiode layer and the signal processing circuitry are fabricated on separate silicon dies bonded together. This stacking enables extremely fast readout speeds, which is why the IMX412 can achieve high fps.

   The IMX676 uses Sony’s STARVIS 2 BSI technology, which adds Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) on top of the standard BSI structure. DTI creates physical barriers between adjacent pixels, drastically reducing optical and electrical cross-talk. This translates to cleaner images, more accurate color reproduction, and better NIR response — all without increasing pixel size.

2. Pixel Size

   The IMX676 uses a 2.0 µm pixel pitch, while the IMX412 uses the smaller 1.55 µm pixel pitch. Larger pixels gather more photons per unit time, which directly benefits low-light performance and dynamic range. The IMX676’s 2.0 µm pixel — combined with STARVIS 2 DTI technology — delivers stronger photon capture efficiency per pixel than the IMX412’s smaller 1.55 µm pixel.

   However, the IMX412’s smaller pixel size allows it to fit approximately 12.33 million active pixels into the compact Type 1/2.3 optical format, enabling use with smaller, more affordable lenses common in surveillance applications.

   IMX412 also delivers excellent sensitivity but balances it with higher resolution density.

3. Optical Format

   The IMX676 operates in a Type 1/1.6 optical format — a larger imaging circle that requires lenses designed for that format. The larger sensor area inherently captures more light overall under identical aperture conditions, contributing to improved sensitivity.

   The IMX412 fits within the smaller Type 1/2.3 format. This compact format is well-established in the surveillance camera ecosystem, offering broad lens compatibility and enabling more compact camera module designs. Systems already designed around 1/2.3″ lenses can integrate the IMX412 with minimal optical redesign.

4. Frame Rate

   The Sony IMX412 offers full resolution at 60 fps (10-bit) and 40 fps (12-bit), and 1080p binning at 240 fps, while the Sony IMX676 offers full resolution at about 30 fps. For applications requiring high-speed capture, such as traffic enforcement, sports analytics, or high-throughput industrial inspection, the IMX412’s frame rate advantage is significant. The IMX676’s 30 fps at full resolution is adequate for most standard surveillance and machine vision tasks, but cannot match the IMX412’s burst capabilities.

5. Low-Light Performance

   The IMX676 is purpose-built for enhanced low-light and NIR performance. It provides cleaner night imaging and improved signal-to-noise ratio in dim environments, making it particularly strong for surveillance and traffic monitoring.

6. Monochrome Availability

   The IMX676 is available in color and monochrome configurations. The monochrome variant removes the Bayer color filter array entirely, allowing every pixel to respond to the full luminance spectrum from UV through NIR. This dramatically boosts light sensitivity (typically 3-4x compared to the color variant) and enables true NIR imaging without infrared filters.

   The IMX412 is available in color configuration only. For applications requiring monochrome imaging, such as OCR, barcode reading, or NIR-based biometric systems, the IMX676 monochrome is a natural choice.

7. High Dynamic Range (HDR) Support

   Both sensors support Digital Overlap HDR (DOL-HDR), but with different capabilities:

   • IMX676: Supports DOL-HDR with 2-frame and 3-frame combinations, plus Clear HDR mode
   • IMX412: Supports DOL-HDR with 2-frame combination at full resolution (4056 × 3040) at 30 fps

   The image below illustrates the difference between Clear HDR and DOL-HDR in dynamic scenes.

   For a more detailed explanation, refer to our blog “Clear HDR vs DOL HDR: Which HDR Technology is Right for Your Application? – e-con Systems”.

   The IMX676’s Clear HDR mode provides a significant advantage in dynamic scenes where motion artifacts from sequential multi-exposure HDR would be problematic. The IMX412’s 2-frame DOL-HDR is effective for fixed-scene or slow-moving applications.

8. Synchronization and Multi-Camera Support

   These sensors support multi-camera synchronization. The IMX412-AACK provides dual sensor synchronization operation capability, enabling precise frame-level timing for strobe-synchronized illumination and event-driven inspection systems.

   The IMX676 and IMX412-AACK are high-resolution Sony BSI sensors in the 12 megapixel class, but they serve different niches. The IMX676’s STARVIS 2 architecture — with DTI, larger 2.0 µm pixels, monochrome availability, and Clear HDR — makes it the sensor of choice for demanding industrial, robotic, and precision imaging applications.

   The IMX412-AACK’s stacked BSI architecture delivers exceptional frame rates, compact form factor, and proven performance in surveillance systems.

9. Low Power

   The IMX412 features a dedicated low-power mode. While IMX676 doesn’t have a Low Power Mode, it is actually quite efficient, where high-quality pixels (2.0 µm) and high dynamic range (HDR) are more important than saving a few milliwatts in a sleep state.

e-con Systems Offers Trusted Sony Sensor-based Camera Solutions

Since 2003, e-con Systems has been designing, developing, and manufacturing OEM and ODM vision solutions. Our portfolio includes Sony sensor-based cameras with HDR, low-light optimization, large and small pixel sizes, pixel binning, and advanced synchronization capabilities.

Explore our Sony STARVIS-based camera modules:

• IMX676 Camera Module
• IMX412 Camera Module

We also specialize in complete camera customization, from hardware trigger implementation and multi-camera synchronization to custom form factors and lens integration. This ensures that our solutions meet your exact vision requirements.

Need help selecting the right Sony sensor-based camera for your application?

Talk to our vision experts by connecting with us at camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.

FAQs 

1. What are Sony IMX412 and IMX676 sensors?
   Sony IMX412 and IMX676 are high-resolution CMOS image sensors designed for embedded vision, surveillance, and industrial imaging applications. Both belong to the 12-megapixel class but differ in architecture, pixel size, and imaging performance.

2. What resolution do IMX412 and IMX676 sensors support?
   The IMX412 provides approximately 12.33 MP resolution (4056 × 3040), while the IMX676 offers 12.6 MP resolution in a square format (3536 × 3536).

3. What is the key architectural difference between IMX412 and IMX676?
   The IMX412 uses a stacked BSI STARVIS architecture, which separates pixel and processing layers to enable faster readout speeds.
   The IMX676 uses STARVIS 2 BSI architecture with Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) to improve sensitivity, dynamic range, and image quality.

4. Which sensor provides better low-light performance?
   The IMX676 sensor provides superior low-light performance due to its larger 2.0 µm pixels and STARVIS 2 architecture, which increases photon capture efficiency.