Image sensing pixel configurations for reduced sensor noise

An image sensor configured to capture imagery with mitigated noise, the image sensor comprising:

• a plurality of image sensing pixels arranged to form a sensor array, wherein:
• each image sensing pixel of the plurality of image sensing pixels comprises an active area configured to receive photons to facilitate image capture,
• each image sensing pixel of the plurality of image sensing pixels comprises a micro-lens configured to direct light toward the active area,
• each active area comprises a length and a width, and
• for at least one image sensing pixel of the plurality of image sensing pixels, the length or the width of the active area is smaller than about 80% of a diameter of the micro-lens, wherein a size of the active area relative to the diameter of the micro-lens contributes to mitigating sensor noise for the image sensor.

A method for acquiring noise-mitigated imagery, the method comprising:

• configuring an image sensor to detect one or more photons within a low light environment, the image sensor comprising:
• a plurality of image sensing pixels arranged to form a sensor array, wherein:
• each image sensing pixel of the plurality of image sensing pixels comprises an active area configured to receive photons to facilitate image capture,
• each active area comprises a length and a width, and
• for each image sensing pixel of the plurality of image sensing pixels, a depth of an active region associated with the active area is smaller than about 80% of a pixel pitch measurement of the image sensor, wherein a size of the active areas relative to the pixel pitch measurement contributes to mitigating sensor noise for the image sensor;
• and
• generating a noise-mitigated image based upon the one or more photons detected by the image sensor.