Sony IMX335 vs STARVIS 2 IMX678: The Dash Cam Sensor That Decides Real 4K

You have found two dash cams that look almost identical on paper. Both call themselves 4K, both mention a Sony sensor, yet one costs noticeably less. The difference usually comes down to a single part you cannot see from the outside. If you are weighing up the Sony IMX335 vs the STARVIS 2 IMX678, this is the comparison that decides whether you are buying real 4K or a clever label.

We will keep this plain and practical, so by the end you will know which sensor sits behind genuine 4K footage and why it matters on Australian roads.

What is a dash cam sensor, in plain English?

The sensor is the small chip behind the lens that actually captures light and turns it into video. It is the single biggest factor in how sharp your footage looks, how well the camera sees at night, and whether a "4K" claim is real. Lens quality and processing matter too, but if the sensor cannot capture the detail, no amount of software can put it back.

Sony IMX335: a good sensor, but not a 4K one

The Sony IMX335 is a first-generation STARVIS sensor. It is a capable, affordable chip, and it does a genuinely nice job at 2K (1440p) resolution or lower. The catch is its size and pixel count.

The IMX335 is a 1/2.8-inch sensor with a native resolution of about 2592 x 1944 pixels, which works out to roughly 5 megapixels. True 4K needs around 8 megapixels. So when you see a camera built on an IMX335 advertised as "4K", that footage has been interpolated, which means the camera has stretched a smaller image up to 4K dimensions and guessed at the missing pixels. The file is 4K sized. The detail is not.

If you want the full picture on how that trick is marketed, our guide on real versus fake 4K dash cams walks through it step by step.

Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678: built for true 4K

The STARVIS 2 IMX678 is a different class of sensor. It is a larger 1/1.8-inch chip with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, or about 8 megapixels. That is real, captured 4K, not upscaled.

Two things make it stand out. First, the physical size. A bigger sensor gathers more light, which is what gives you cleaner footage in tricky conditions. Second, it uses Sony's second-generation STARVIS 2 back-illuminated design, which delivers far wider dynamic range than the original STARVIS. In plain terms, that means it handles harsh contrast better, like a dark car park entrance on a bright day, or oncoming headlights at night.

IMX335 vs IMX678: the side-by-side

Pro Tip: A camera maker proud of an IMX678 will name it clearly in the spec sheet. If a "4K" listing only says "Sony sensor" and avoids the model number, assume it is the cheaper chip until they prove otherwise.

Which sensor should you actually buy?

If your budget is tight and you are happy with sharp 2K footage, an IMX335 camera can be solid value, as long as it is sold honestly as 2K and not dressed up as 4K. If you want genuine 4K, where you can zoom in on a number plate a couple of cars ahead at highway speed, the STARVIS 2 IMX678 is the sensor to look for.

Every camera in our genuine 4K dash cam range uses a true 8 megapixel sensor, and many of our most popular models from the VIOFO range are built around the STARVIS 2 IMX678. We list the exact sensor on every product so you always know what you are getting.

Want a hand choosing?

If you are still torn between two cameras, send Michael or Harrison the links through our contact page. We will tell you which sensor each one uses and which is the better fit for your car and budget. No worries, and no pressure.