Canon Develops 410 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor

No, you won’t get it in your next mirrorless Canon camera ;-)

Canon press release:

Canon Develops CMOS Sensor with 410 Megapixels, the Largest Number of Pixels Ever Achieved in a 35mm Full-frame Sensor

MELVILLE, N.Y., – January 22, 2025 — Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc. announced that it has developed a CMOS sensor with 410 megapixels (24,592 x 16,704 pixels), which is the largest number1 of pixels ever achieved in a 35mm full-frame sensor. It will be available in both RGB and monochrome versions. This sensor is expected to be used in applications that demand extreme resolution in various markets including surveillance, medicine, and industrial imaging.

The newly developed CMOS sensor features a resolution equivalent to 24K (198 times greater than Full HD, and 12 times greater than 8K). This enables users to crop any part of the image captured by this sensor and enlarge it significantly while maintaining high resolution. While many CMOS sensors with a super-high pixel count are medium-format or larger, this extreme resolution sensor is compacted into a 35mm full-frame format. This allows it to be used in combination with lenses for full-frame sensors and is expected to contribute to the miniaturization of shooting equipment.

As data readout of a CMOS sensor tends to take longer as the number of pixels increases, achieving a CMOS sensor with a super-high pixel count requires advanced signal processing technology. This newly developed sensor employs a back-illuminated stacked formation in which the pixel segment and signal processing segment are interlayered and also includes a redesigned circuitry pattern. As a result, the sensor is capable of achieving a super-high readout speed of 3,280 megapixels per second, delivering video at 8 frames per second2.

The monochrome version features a “four-pixel binning” function that virtually treats four adjoining pixels as one, thereby improving sensitivity and making it possible to capture brighter images. When this function is in use, the sensor can capture 100-megapixel video at 24 frames per second.

By leveraging the technology it has accumulated over many years as a leading imaging company, Canon has developed breakthrough products including CMOS sensors with super-high pixel count and ultra-sensitivity, and SPAD sensors, which detect faint traces of light even in dark areas. Canon will continue to advance its technology and contribute to the transformation and further development of society.

The sensor is currently scheduled to be displayed at Canon booth #2155 at SPIE Photonics West, a leading global conference for optics and photonics held in San Francisco from January 28-30, 2025. For more information about Canon CMOS Sensors, please visit: https://canon-cmos-sensors.com/

Canon Announced The RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens ($1149)

Canon RF 16-28mm

A new lens for Canon’s RF-mount system. Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM at a glance:

  • Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22
  • Compact & Fast Wide-Angle Zoom
  • Leadscrew-Type STM Autofocus Motor
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Four UD & Two Aspherical Elements
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 7.9 to 9.8″
  • Super Spectra Coating (SSC)
  • Weather-Resistant Construction

Pre order for the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM are live:

America: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

The Canon R F16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is available and scheduled to ship on February 11, 2025, for an estimated retail price of $1,149.

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Announces the New RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens: Elevating Content Creation for the Next Generation

MELVILLE, NY, January 22, 2025 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to unveil the new RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens, joining the Canon RF28–70mm F2.8 STM as a more affordable f/2.8 zoom option for Canon mirrorless users. Designed for modern content creators, this lens delivers outstanding image quality, portability, and versatility—ideal for use across both photo and video.

Whether filming cinematic video or shooting intimate photo portraits, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM provides sharp details and vibrant colors to elevate content with ease. Its compact, durable design makes it the perfect companion for creators working in both urban environments and remote locations, offering performance typically reserved for larger lenses.

Engineered for professionals and beginners alike, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM combines fast autofocus, smooth aperture control, and outstanding optics. With the wide f/2.8 constant maximum aperture and ultra wide-angle zoom coverage, it captures high-resolution, crisp footage, while minimizing technical challenges, allowing creators to expand their creative vision. The lens also features focus breathing correction, which smooths video transitions during focus changes—an essential asset for filmmakers aiming for a polished, professional look in evolving shooting environments.

Additionally, the lens incorporates advanced stabilization systems for both stills and video. Coordinated control with Peripheral IS minimizes distortion at the edges of wide-angle shots, providing clear, crisp images across the entire frame. For video, coordinated control with Movie Digital IS enhances stabilization, making it perfect for handheld or highspeed shots, keeping footage steady and smooth even when walking or shooting in changing settings.

As demand for dynamic, high-quality content continues to grow, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM stands out as an indispensable tool for photo and video content creators, landscape and travel enthusiasts, and everyday photographers alike—and the flexibility to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced digital world.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens is available and currently scheduled to ship on February 11, 2025, for an estimated retail price of $1,149.00*. For additional information, please visit usa.canon.com.

B&H Photo MegaDeal Event Is Live (not for long)

Looking for deals? Need a memory card? Want to get that lens you’re thinking about?

Have a look at the huge listings of gear for the B&H Photo MegaDeal Event. I couldn’t find any Canon gear, though.

More selected deals:

Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 RXD (RF mount) Review (very good optical performance, D. Abbott)

Tamron 11-20mm

This is Tamron’s first lens for the Canon RF mount, the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 RXD.

At a glance:

  • APS-C | f/2.8 to f/16
  • 18-32mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Fast Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom
  • Rapid eXtra Silent Stepping Drive Motor
  • 1x XLD, 2x GM Asph., and 2x LD Elements
  • BBAR-G2 Lens Coating
  • Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

Dustin Abbott, on of the serious gear reviewers out there, felt the pulse of the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 RXD for Canon RF mount. The review comes with sample pictures, test graphs, image quality breakdowns, and delivers all the information you might want to know about this lens. From Dustin Abbott’s conclusion|:

Like the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8, the Tamron isn’t cheap, costing twice as much as Canon’s own slower and plasticky RF-S 10-18mm. But it is also the superior optical instrument in build, function, and aperture speed.

Not everyone will want to spend over $600 for this lens, but those that do will find a lens that they will invariably enjoy, providing fast autofocus, good handling, and a very good (and consistent) optical performance. I’d say that it would currently be my choice, and that’s about as good a recommendation as I can give.

Pros:

  • Finally a Tamron on Canon RF!
  • Great wide angle zoom range
  • Maintains F2.8 aperture
  • Relatively compact and lightweight
  • Good build with weather sealing
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Shares a 67mm filter thread with other Tamron lenses on Sony
  • Exceptional optical performance
  • Good coma control
  • Strong aberration control

Cons:

  • Relatively expensive compared to the Canon RF-S 10-18mm
  • No aperture ring
  • Corners lag behind the center a fair bit

This is the kind of review I read when I am looking to purchase gear. You’ll hardly find anything better.

If you prefer to watch a gear review, we have you covered too.

[via Dustin Abbott]

Canon Patent: RF 65mm F2 IS, RF-S 50mm F2 IS, and RF-S 85mm F2 IS

canon patent

Canon’s patent application 2024172507 (Japan, published 12/12/2024) , proposes an optical system with a unique design. It includes examples of compatible lenses, such as the RF 65mm F2 IS, RF-S 50mm F2 IS, and RF-S 85mm F2 IS, which cater to image heights slightly larger than APS-C.

Patent summary:

The primary objective of this invention is to create an optical system that offers exceptional optical performance, a wide aperture ratio, and a compact size.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for optical systems that possess high optical performance, a large aperture ratio, and a small footprint. These systems are essential components in image pickup devices.

The patent presents an optical system with a positive, positive, and negative lens group arranged in a specific order, from the object side to the image side. The second lens group is designed to move during focusing, while the lens closest to the image side in the first lens group is positioned to correct image blur. However, a challenge arises when the lens positioned second from the object side in the third lens group has a convex surface facing the object side. This design makes it difficult to effectively correct coma aberration and similar issues when the aperture ratio is increased.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 63.70
  • F-number: 2.00
  • Half angle of view: 18.76
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 75.00
  • Back focal length: 12.56

Example 2

  • Focal length: 48.50
  • F-number: 2.00
  • Half angle of view: 17.19
  • Image height: 15.00
  • Total length: 70.00
  • Back Focus: 14.20

Example 3

  • Focal length: 85.00
  • F-number: 2.00
  • Half angle of view: 10.01
  • Image height: 15.00
  • Total length: 100.00
  • Back focus: 20.00

Example 4

  • Focal length: 63.70
  • F-number: 2.00
  • Half angle of view: 13.25
  • Image height: 15.00
  • Overall length: 75.00
  • Back focus: 11.00

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: 15-50mm F4-6.3, 17-60mm F2.8-5.6, And Some More Lenses

canon patent

Canon patent application 2024173039 (Japan, published 12/12/2024) discusses optical formulas for a bunch of full-frame lenses, from ultra-wide to standard.

Patent summary:

The present invention presents a compact zoom lens with exceptional optical performance, a high zoom ratio, and a small size.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for imaging optical systems that combine high optical performance, a high zoom ratio, and a compact design. These systems are commonly used in imaging devices.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 15.20-49.50
  • F-number: 4.12-6.45
  • Half angle of view: 52.76-23.61
  • Image height: 20.00-21.64
  • Total length: 124.63-125.93
  • Back focus: 15.00

Example 2

  • Focal length: 17.20-64.50
  • F-number: 4.00-5.60
  • Half angle of view: 49.30-18.54
  • Image height: 20.00-21.64
  • Overall length: 132.16-165.51
  • Back Focus: 15.00-21.72

Example 3

  • Focal length: 17.22-64.50
  • F-number: 2.82-5.60
  • Half angle of view: 49.27-18.54
  • Image height: 20.00-21.64
  • Total length: 138.48-159.38
  • Back Focus: 14.69-24.38

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]