Sony LYT-901 launches 200MP sensor, 4x zoom without quality loss

After a long time appearing as a rumor, Sony has recently officially launched the new LYT-901 sensor with a huge resolution of 200MP and many impressive features. This product is expected to be used in many flagships launched early next year.

The Sony LYT-901 is developed under the internal codename IMX09E. This sensor has a size of 1 / 1.12 inches, just a little smaller than current 1-inch sensors but has 4 times the resolution of the usual flagship standard.

Previously associated with the IMX09E, Sony has since rebranded the hardware under the simpler LYTIA naming scheme. Instead of using a traditional Bayer array, the Japanese company has expanded the pixel grid using a Quad-Quad Bayer structure, then converted it to a 2×2 Bayer array via a dedicated hardware Remosaic process.

Each pixel is 0.7 micrometers in size, matching the characteristics of current 200MP sensors. Sony uses a Quad Bayer structure that expands the pixel matrix and remosaic processing with dedicated hardware, which helps to reproduce accurate colors and minimize noise during data translation.

The LYT-901 supports standard pixel binning modes including 50 MP photos in 2×2 structure and 12.5 MP photos in 4×4 structure to enhance night shooting performance and create high-quality telephoto crops from the main frame.

200 MP data volume requires a lot of processing power, so Sony integrated AI right into the sensor's processing circuit. AI supports the rebayer and remosaic process, reducing the pressure on the camera's central processor, while improving shooting speed and reducing shutter lag, which is a weakness of many other 200 MP sensors.

The sensor comes with a 12-bit processing path and a fine-tuned ADC, which helps to widen the gradient range and keep full-resolution readings cleaner and less noisy.

Sony equips the LYT-901 with a Hybrid Frame HDR system combined with Dual Conversion Gain HDR. This mechanism works by adding an ultra-short frame at the microsecond level to preserve highlight detail, while limiting ghosting when shooting fast-moving scenes.

The total dynamic range exceeds 100dB, equivalent to more than 17 stops of image quality, making the LYT-901 one of the most powerful HDR sensors available today. One of the most attractive features of the Sony LYT-901 is the ability to zoom with the sensor up to 4x while maintaining high quality. Sensor in Zoom technology allows the phone to crop directly from the sensor data to create a telephoto-like perspective without the need for additional optics.

Sony says this sensor is the only one currently available that supports 4x Sensor in Zoom when shooting 4K 30FPS video. When using pixel binning, the sensor can also shoot 4K 120FPS. This feature is especially suitable for events, performances, sports and situations that require a long crop but must maintain good quality.

According to current information, OPPO Find X9 Ultra and vivo X300 Ultra will be the first two flagship models equipped with Sony LYT-901 sensor in 2026. OPPO is expected to introduce the product in March, while vivo may launch X300 Ultra in Q2 2026.