Sony’s Exmor RS line diverges into two distinct philosophies with the IMX787 and IMX789. While most mobile sensors stick to a standard 4:3 format for photography, the IMX789 breaks convention with a custom 16:11 aspect ratio designed specifically to maximize video width without cropping.
Conversely, the IMX787 prioritizes focus speed and resolution flexibility, utilizing 2×2 On-Chip Lens technology to serve as a versatile main shooter for handsets like the Pixel 7a and Nubia Z60 Ultra.
This technical audit examines the silicon-level differences between these two units. We evaluate the trade-offs between the IMX789’s high-speed 120fps readout and the IMX787’s computational efficiency, alongside thermal constraints and the specific ISP logic that drives their performance in modern hardware.
IMX787 vs. IMX789
The Divergent Paths of Exmor RS
Sony Semiconductor Solutions dominated the mobile imaging market by 2025. Two sensors from the Exmor RS family define the split between mass-market utility and specialized cinematography. The IMX787 serves as a versatile high-resolution workhorse for premium devices. The IMX789 stands as a bespoke cinematographic tool tailored for wide-format video.
This comparison dissects the architectural differences. We examine the 2×2 On-Chip Lens technology in the IMX787 and the unique 16:11 aspect ratio geometry of the IMX789. Understanding these physical distinctions explains why certain phones excel at street photography while others dominate video production.
IMX787
64MPArchitecture: Standard 4:3
Focus: 2×2 OCL (All-Pixel AF)
Best For: High-res cropping, Street photography, Zoom versatility.
IMX789
48MPArchitecture: Custom 16:11
Focus: Omni-directional PDAF
Best For: 4K 120fps Video, Cinema formats, 12-bit RAW color grading.
Sensor Geometry: The 16:11 Advantage
The visual below demonstrates the physical difference in silicon usage. The IMX789 uses a wider 16:11 canvas to capture 16:9 video without aggressive vertical cropping.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Sony IMX787 | Sony IMX789 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical Format | 1/1.3-inch Class | 1/1.35-inch (Total) / 1/1.43 (Effective) |
| Resolution | 64 Megapixels | 48 Megapixels (Effective) |
| Pixel Pitch (Native) | 0.8 μm | 1.12 μm |
| Pixel Binning | 1.6 μm (16MP Output) | 2.24 μm (12MP Output) |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 (Standard) | 16:11 (Multi-Aspect) |
| Autofocus Tech | 2×2 OCL (Full Coverage) | Omni-directional PDAF |
| Max Video Frame Rate | 4K 60fps | 4K 120fps / 8K 30fps |
| HDR Technology | Standard Staggered HDR | DOL-HDR (Digital Overlap) |
| Color Depth | 10-bit | 12-bit RAW (Hasselblad Color) |
| Launch Device Examples | Nubia Z60 Ultra, Pixel 7a | OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus 10 Pro |
Performance Benchmarks
We analyzed the throughput capability and light gathering potential. The IMX789 sacrifices total resolution for speed, enabling high frame-rate capture essential for slow-motion videography.
Readout Speed (Est. ms)
Lower is better (Less rolling shutter)
Effective Pixel Area (µm²)
Binned performance (Low light theoretical max)
Color Pipeline & Bit Depth
The defining strength of the IMX789 is its ability to output 12-bit RAW video, a rarity in mobile sensors. Standard 10-bit sensors (like the IMX787 in most implementations) record 1.07 billion colors. While sufficient for HDR content, it leaves less room for color grading in post-production.
The IMX789’s 12-bit pipeline captures 68.7 billion colors. This massive increase in data density allows editors to push shadows and manipulate highlights without introducing banding artifacts. This capability stems from the high-bandwidth interface originally designed for Sony’s Alpha series cameras.
Data Density Comparison
*Visualization of gradient smoothness potential.
Thermal & Power Dynamics
Performance comes at a cost. The IMX789’s capability to shoot 4K at 120fps requires a massive data throughput that generates significant heat.
Est. Power Draw (4K Recording)
Higher watts = More heat / Battery drain
The Efficiency Trade-off
The IMX787 uses a more conservative readout architecture. By limiting video to 4K60, it maintains a thermal envelope suitable for smaller chassis designs like the Pixel A-series.
Conversely, devices using the IMX789 (like the OnePlus 9/10 Pro) required elaborate multi-layer cooling systems. The sensor’s high power draw during 4K120 capture is a primary reason it was not widely adopted in compact handsets.
Optical Physics & Lens Matching
The sensor size dictates the physical dimensions of the camera module (Z-height). Larger sensors require lenses with longer focal lengths to achieve the same Field of View (FoV), resulting in thicker camera bumps.
Image Circle Requirements
Because the IMX789 has a 16:11 aspect ratio, the lens must project a larger image circle to cover the wide corners. This requires physically larger glass elements, increasing the weight of the optical image stabilization (OIS) unit.
Field of View
The IMX789 is typically paired with a lens offering a 23mm equivalent focal length. This is wider than the industry standard 24-25mm, emphasizing its role as a landscape and cinema shooter.
The “Crop” Factor
The IMX787 is often used with a 35mm equivalent lens (Nubia Z60). The high 64MP density allows manufacturers to crop into the center, simulating a 50mm or 85mm lens with “optical-like” quality, reducing the need for extra sensors.
ISP Integration & Computational Logic
IMX787: The AI Canvas
The IMX787 excels when paired with computational-heavy ISPs like the Google Tensor. Its high pixel count (64MP) provides a dense data stream perfect for remosaicing algorithms.
- Super Res Zoom: The sensor crops into the center 16MP, applying AI to fill in detail gaps.
- Google HDR+: The fast shutter allows for rapid bracketing of multiple frames to reduce noise without motion blur.
- Logic: Prioritizes resolution flexibility over raw readout speed.
IMX789: The Throughput Beast
The IMX789 was designed to saturate the bandwidth of the Snapdragon Spectra ISP. It pushes raw data faster than most competing sensors to achieve high framerates.
- 4K 120fps: Requires reading the full sensor width every 8.3 milliseconds.
- Hasselblad Color: The ISP pipeline is tuned for color accuracy (natural tonality) rather than aggressive AI sharpening.
- Logic: Prioritizes temporal resolution (framerate) and dynamic range over spatial resolution.
Quad Bayer Mechanics
Both sensors utilize Quad Bayer filters, but they implement pixel binning differently to achieve their final output.
IMX787 (64MP -> 16MP)
The IMX787 groups four 0.8μm pixels under one color filter. In low light, it combines them to form a virtual 1.6μm pixel.
[R][R] [G][G] —> [ R ] [ G ]
[G][G] [B][B] —> [ G ] [ B ]
[G][G] [B][B]
Result: 16MP Image (Standard)
Benefit: Sharp crops in bright light.
IMX789 (48MP -> 12MP)
The IMX789 starts with larger 1.12μm pixels. When binned, the effective pixel size jumps to a massive 2.24μm.
[R][R] [G][G] —> [ R ] [ G ]
[G][G] [B][B] —> [ G ] [ B ]
[G][G] [B][B]
Result: 12MP Image (Wide)
Benefit: Superior native low-light sensitivity.
Device Ecosystem
Implementation varies wildly. The IMX787 often appears as a primary sensor in “flagship killers” or as a high-spec telephoto in ultra-premium devices. The IMX789 was exclusive to the OnePlus/Oppo collaborative lineage.
IMX787 Devices
- Nubia Z60 Ultra Main (35mm)
- Google Pixel 7a Main
- Pixel 8 Pro Telephoto
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Main + UW
IMX789 Devices
- OnePlus 10 Pro Main
- OnePlus 9 Pro Main
*Note: The IMX789 was a custom commission, limiting its availability in other brands.
Competitor Devices (Ref)
- Pixel 7 Pro GN1 (Samsung)
- Xiaomi 11 Ultra GN2 (Samsung)
The Predecessor Lineage
Understanding the history clarifies the naming convention inconsistencies.
IMX789 Ancestry
Predecessor: IMX689 (1/1.43″)
Used in the OnePlus 8 Pro, the IMX689 introduced the 2×2 OCL concept to the mass market. The IMX789 evolved this by altering the physical aspect ratio to 16:11 for video, though it retained similar pixel pitch characteristics.
IMX787 Ancestry
Predecessor: IMX686 (1/1.7″)
The IMX686 was the standard 64MP sensor of 2020. The IMX787 drastically increased the sensor size to 1/1.3″, moving 64MP from “mid-range” to “flagship” territory. It effectively bridged the gap between the 64MP resolution utility and large-sensor physics.
2026 Update: The LYTIA Transition
As of February 2026, Sony is transitioning from the “IMX” branding to “LYTIA” (LYT). The architectural concepts from the IMX789 have evolved into the LYT-808. This new sensor uses a dual-layer transistor pixel structure. It separates photodiodes and transistors onto different layers. This doubles the light-gathering capacity without increasing sensor size. The IMX787 lineage continues in the premium mid-range LYT-700 series.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IMX789 generally captures better native low-light video due to larger 1.12μm pixels. However, the IMX787 performs exceptionally well in stills due to 2×2 OCL providing accurate focus in dark environments.
It allows for video capture with a wider field of view. Standard sensors crop heavily for video. The IMX789 uses a “multi-aspect” approach similar to professional Panasonic GH cameras.
The Sony LYT-808 is the spiritual successor to the IMX789, utilized in modern foldables like the OnePlus Open. The IMX787 has been succeeded by the LYT-701 in the mid-range category.
