What Is Sony STARVIS 2? Dash Cam Sensor Specs Explained

Sony STARVIS 2 is the second generation of Sony's back-illuminated image sensors for security and in-car cameras. Compared with the original STARVIS sensors, it is designed for wider dynamic range and cleaner low-light images, which helps a dash cam keep headlights, shadows and license plates readable at night. Below you will find what STARVIS 2 actually changes, the specs of the two STARVIS 2 sensors used in Pelsee dash cams, and when it matters more than resolution.

What Is Sony STARVIS 2?

STARVIS is Sony's name for a family of back-illuminated CMOS sensors built for cameras that have to work in poor light, such as security cameras and dash cams. In a back-illuminated sensor, the wiring sits behind the light-sensitive layer instead of in front of it, so more of the incoming light reaches each pixel.

STARVIS 2 is the next generation of that technology. It is not a single sensor but a group of sensors that share the same improvements:

• Higher sensitivity in both visible and near-infrared light, so the camera needs less light to produce a usable image.
• Wider dynamic range, so bright areas such as headlights and dark areas such as road shoulders can both keep detail in the same frame.
• Less noise and blooming in dark scenes, which keeps edges, text and colors cleaner after sunset.

The two STARVIS 2 sensors you will see most often in dash cams are the Sony IMX678 and the Sony IMX675.

STARVIS 2 Sensor Specs

What these numbers mean

Resolution is the number of real pixels the sensor captures. The 8-megapixel IMX678 reads out a full 3840 × 2160 frame, so a camera built on it can record Native 4K. The 5-megapixel IMX675 natively suits 2.5K recording, which is why it is often used for rear cameras.

Optical format is the size of the sensor. Both sensors use the same 2.0 µm pixels, so each pixel collects a similar amount of light. The larger 1/1.8" IMX678 simply fits more of those pixels, which is how it reaches 8 megapixels without making each pixel smaller.

Pixel size matters at night. Larger pixels gather more light. At 2.0 µm, both sensors use larger pixels than many dash cam sensors, which helps them hold detail on dark roads.

STARVIS vs STARVIS 2

The original STARVIS sensors are still common and still good in low light. STARVIS 2 improves on them in specific ways:

If you already own a good STARVIS dash cam, the difference is most visible in high-contrast night scenes. If you are buying new, choose STARVIS 2 for the newer sensor generation.

What STARVIS 2 Changes on the Road

Night driving on unlit roads

On rural highways and poorly lit streets, a more sensitive sensor needs less digital gain to brighten the image. Less gain means less grain, so lane markings, road signs and the edges of other vehicles stay sharper.

Headlight glare and streetlights

Oncoming headlights are the hardest scene for any dash cam: the lights are very bright while the car around them is dark. The wider dynamic range of STARVIS 2 leaves more room before the bright areas turn into white blobs, so it is easier to see the car's shape and the road beside it.

Tunnels, sunrise and sunset

Dynamic range also helps during the day. Driving out of a tunnel, or straight into a low sun, creates the same bright-and-dark problem. STARVIS 2 helps the camera keep detail on both sides of the exposure.

License plates at night

Reading a plate at night depends on more than the sensor. Speed, distance, the angle of the plate, headlight reflection, frame rate and video bitrate all play a part. A STARVIS 2 sensor improves your chances, especially at lower speeds and shorter distances, but no dash cam can guarantee a readable plate in every situation.

Does STARVIS 2 Matter More Than 4K?

They solve different problems, so the best answer is to look at both.

• Resolution decides how many real pixels are recorded, which sets how far you can zoom into the footage.
• The sensor generation decides how well each of those pixels captures light, which matters most at night.

Be careful with the 4K label. A camera that records 4K from a 5-megapixel sensor has to enlarge the image in software, so it does not add real detail. Native 4K needs an 8-megapixel sensor. Read Native 4K vs upscaled 4K explained for the full breakdown.

The strongest combination is a Native 4K, 8-megapixel STARVIS 2 sensor such as the IMX678. If your priority is the sharpest detail on both cameras at an affordable price, a Native 4K front and rear dash cam such as the Pelsee S1 Pro is also a strong choice. It uses 8-megapixel GalaxyCore GC8613 sensors front and rear. We compare the two sensors in Sony IMX678 vs GC8613.

STARVIS 2 and Parking Mode

Many parking incidents happen at night, in garages or in dim parking lots: door dings, hit-and-run damage and vandalism. Parking mode needs constant power from a hardwire kit or an OBD power cable. When the camera is recording in the dark, a more sensitive sensor gives you a better chance of capturing a usable image of the vehicle or person involved.

Pelsee Dash Cams with STARVIS 2

• Pelsee S3 Ultra (windshield): Sony IMX678 front camera for Native 4K at 30 fps, plus a Sony IMX675 STARVIS 2 rear camera recording 2.5K. A good fit if you drive a lot after dark.
• Pelsee P12 Pro Max (mirror): Sony IMX678 front camera for Native 4K, a 2.5K rear camera and an 11.8-inch touchscreen that replaces the view in your rearview mirror.

Compare every model in front and rear dash cams and mirror dash cams. For more buying advice, see the 4K front and rear dash cam buying guide, the best dash cam for night driving and license plates and the best dash cam for Uber drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is STARVIS 2?

STARVIS 2 is the second generation of Sony's back-illuminated image sensors for security and in-car cameras. It offers higher sensitivity in visible and near-infrared light, wider dynamic range and less noise in dark scenes than the original STARVIS sensors.

Is STARVIS 2 better than STARVIS?

Yes. Both are designed for low light, but STARVIS 2 is more sensitive and handles bright lights in dark scenes, such as oncoming headlights, with less clipping.

Does a STARVIS 2 dash cam always record in Native 4K?

No. STARVIS 2 describes the sensor generation, not the resolution. The 8-megapixel IMX678 supports Native 4K, while the 5-megapixel IMX675 natively suits 2.5K recording.

Which STARVIS 2 sensor is best for a front dash cam?

The Sony IMX678 is the strongest choice for a front camera because it combines STARVIS 2 low-light performance with a full 8-megapixel, 3840 × 2160 readout and a larger 1/1.8" sensor.

Does STARVIS 2 help read license plates at night?

It improves your chances by keeping more detail in low light and around headlights. Results still depend on speed, distance, plate angle, frame rate and bitrate.

Do I still need HDR if my dash cam has STARVIS 2?

Yes. STARVIS 2 gives the camera a better starting image, and HDR processing balances bright and dark areas on top of it. The two work together.