Specifications
Type
Intelligent vision sensor with AI processing (stacked pixel + logic, on-chip DSP and memory)
Effective Pixels
4,056 × 3,040, approximately 12.3 megapixels
Image Size
1/2.3-type, diagonal 7.857 mm (approx.)
Unit Cell Size
1.55 μm × 1.55 μm
Frame Rate (full pixel)
60 fps
Video Modes
4K (4056 × 2288) 60 fps; 1080p up to 240 fps
Video + AI Processing
30 fps
Metadata-Only Output
30 fps (objects and metadata without image data)
On-Chip
Image-signal processing plus AI-specific DSP and dedicated model memory — no external processor required
Input Tensor
Maximum 640 × 480, int8 or uint8
ML Frameworks
TensorFlow (Keras) and PyTorch (ONNX)
Output / Interface
MIPI D-PHY 1.2 (4-lane) or SPI
Output Formats
Bayer RAW, ISP output (YUV/RGB), ROI, metadata
Models
IMX500 (bare chip); IMX501 (packaged, ceramic LGA 12.5 × 15.0 mm)
Power
Analog 2.7 V, digital 0.84 V, interface 1.8 V
Platform
AITRIOS — AI model training, deployment and device management
Camera Example
AIH-IVRW2 edge AI camera: ~46 × 35 × 24 mm, ~40 g, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, USB Type-C power
Applications
Smart cities, retail analytics, drones, wearables, privacy-preserving vision, IoT edge inference
Availability
Quote — sample and volume quantities
Lead Time
15-day sample lead time
Brand
Sony Semiconductor Solutions
Product Line
Sony IMX500 / IMX501 / AITRIOS
Overview
The Sony IMX500 is a stacked intelligent vision sensor that integrates AI signal processing directly on the chip. A back-illuminated pixel chip of approximately 12.3 effective megapixels is combined, in a stacked configuration, with a logic chip carrying Sony's AI-specific DSP and dedicated model memory — so edge AI systems can run inference without a high-performance processor or external memory.
Because inference happens on the sensor, the IMX500 can output object metadata rather than full image data. This reduces transmitted data volumes and supports privacy-preserving deployments where the raw image never leaves the device. ISP processing and high-speed AI processing complete within a single frame, enabling high-precision real-time tracking while recording video.
The IMX500 is offered as a bare chip, with the IMX501 packaged variant in a ceramic LGA measuring 12.5 × 15.0 mm. Devices run under Sony's AITRIOS platform, which spans model training, deployment and device management; the compact AIH-IVRW2 is an example edge AI camera built on the sensor.
Key Benefits
Inference at the pixel. By moving the neural network onto the sensor, the IMX500 removes the main bottleneck of edge vision — image transport and a separate accelerator — while metadata-only output lowers bandwidth and materially reduces privacy exposure.
Applications
Smart-city traffic and safety analytics, retail and POS analytics, smart shelves, drones and inspection, monitoring wearables, and privacy-preserving vision where raw imagery must not be transmitted.
Request a Quote — SONY IMX500 & IMX501 AITRIOS — INTELLIGENT VISION SENSORS WITH ON-CHIP AI
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