Canon Offers CMOS Sensor Evaluation Kits For Third Party Application Development

cmos sensor evaluation
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If you are developing gear build around Canon’s super specialised image sensors then you have a new tool for your craft. We featured Canon’s specialised sensors a lot.

Canon press release:

Canon’s new CMOS Sensor Evaluation Kits Are Now Available Through Authorized Distributors

MELVILLE, NY, November 14, 2019 – Expanding the company’s CMOS sensor business offerings, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce the availability of the first Canon CMOS Sensor Evaluation Kits starting November 15, 2019. These high-quality, easy to use evaluation kits are a key tool to be able to test sensor performance firsthand and kick start product development. The evaluation kits will be available through authorized distributors: Phase 1 Technology Corp, Macnica Americas Inc. and Digi-Key Electronics.

Canon’s pixel-level innovations offer sensor options for ultra-high resolution, ultra-high sensitivity, low noise and global shutter, as well as a specialized RGB-NIR color filter array. The advanced components of the kit will help developers test sensor features and performance to help ensure a fit with their application across a variety of industries, including biomedical, medical imaging, machine vision, robotics, aerial mapping, astronomy, satellite technology, pathological phenotyping and other demanding imaging applications.

“Understanding that image sensors are an important driving force behind the competitive digital imaging industry, Canon is excited to add these CMOS Sensor Evaluation Kits to our portfolio,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Continuing with the mission to develop technology which can ultimately help end-users increase efficiency and productivity that potentially results in a higher ROI, Canon’s Evaluation Kits allow OEMs, solutions providers, authorized distributors, integrators and others in search of advanced components to test and build unique vision systems.”

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Canon EOS M6 Mark II Review (delivers great-looking photos, ePHOTOzine)

Canon EOS M6 Mark II review
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Canon EOS M6 Mark II review by the folks at ePHOTOzine. The Canon EOS M6 Mark II was announced in August 2019.

The review criticises the fact that there are allegedly only three premium lenses for the EOS M system: the 32mm f/1.4 STM, 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, and 22mm f/2 STM. All native EF-M lenses made by Canon, and with a metal mount, which seems to be a discerning factor for the reviewer.

It would be more correct to state there are only “three premium lenses made by Canon“, and still I think using the limited number of Canon-made EF-M lenses is objectionable as a criticism against the EOS M6 Mark II. There are many third party manufacturer making EF-M lenses, with some nice and fast primes among them. Or does someone doubt the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a premium lens? Depending by your needs you might prefer the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN. Both have a metal mount, btw. You can also use the very good EF/EF-S to EF-M adapter and not worry about autofocus since you have Dual Pixel AF on board. So, I guess in ePHOTOzine’s review there is a bit of good old EOS M bashing with the argument of the lens ecosystem. It’s true that Canon did not build a large EF-M lenses lineup (so far) but it’s also true that it doesn’t really matter that much.

From the Canon EOS M6 Mark II review conclusion:

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II could be a fantastic camera, in fact, it is, but without the right lens or lenses, it’s severely limited. It’s like a Ferrari stuck in traffic, or on a road with a 30mph speed limit until it gets to the Autobahn. Yes, the Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a great camera, but the first thing you must do is get a better lens, to get the most out of it, and does the currently limited range of Canon EF-M lenses meet or match your requirements?  

Canon EOS M6 Mark II Pros

– 32mp APS-C CMOS sensor

– High-speed continuous shooting

– Fast Auto-focus system

– Easy to use with built-in help

– Excellent colour reproduction

– Easy to use touch-screen and controls

– In-camera raw processing

Canon EOS M6 Mark II Cons

– Only 8 EF-M lenses available from Canon

– Kit lens is soft unless stopped down

– Lack of effective optical image stabilisation for video

– Lacks built-in EVF

Read the review at ePHOTOzine

Canon EOS M6 Mark II: [shopcountry 58198]

Canon EF-M mount lenses [shopcountry 59554]

Canon Seems To Be Lagging In Mirrorless Camera Sales 2018

Japanese site Toyokeizai published some statistics on the mirrorless camera market in 2018. The data comes from Techno System Research,
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Japanese site Toyokeizai published some statistics on the mirrorless camera market in 2018. The data comes from Techno System Research, a private marketing research company.

There is nothing really new here. Sony is the top dog in mirrorless sales, followed by Canon and the rest of the pack.

  • Sony 42.5%
  • Canon 19.8%
  • Fujifilm 17.5%
  • Olympus 8.4%
  • Panasonic 7.0%
  • Nikon 4.6%

A note of caution. I was not able to understand for sure if the used data refers to the Japanese market or to the global market, though I tend to believe it’s the latter.

Given that we are almost in 2020 I wonder if these stats really matter.

Canon Cameras And Lenses Are Prominent On The Rugby World Cup Sidelines

Canon EOS 1D X Mark III rumor canon cameras big game
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Canon cameras and lenses rule the pro world. Anyone surprised about it? Canon press release:

Canon ILC Cameras and Lenses Score on The Sidelines of The 2019 Rugby World Cup Knock Out Stage in Japan

Approximately 70 Percent of Press Photographers at the Games used Canon ILC Cameras and Lenses

MELVILLE, NY, November 12, 2019 – During the 2019 Rugby World Cup imaging professionals from around the world gathered across Japan to shoot all of the exciting and history-making action of the tournament’s knock out stage. Canon Inc., is excited and proud to announce that approximately 70 percenti of those imaging professionals used Canon ILC cameras and lenses to capture the timeless memories and moments of the most celebrated Rugby tournament in the world.

Canon understands that in order for professional photographers to be able to reach their goals at these world class events they need the support of digital imaging companies, like Canon. The company provided state-of-the art technology, top performance and most importantly customized and comprehensive on-site service and support.

Canon cameras and lenses at B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

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A Bit Of Everything (Canon EOS Ra, PowerShot SX420, IVY REC, RF 50mm f/1.2L, and more)

Canon eos Ra review
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Above: Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens review with samples – Christopher Frost Photography

Latest Canon rumors are listed here.

The Canon EOS Ra is Fine, But it’s Not The Camera we Need or Want, says The Phoblographer.

What Camera Companies Must Do to Compete With Phone Photography – The Phoblographer

CIPA stats now confirms the crisis has hit the mirrorless system camera world too – 4/3 Rumors

Instant Camera Review: Canon IVY CLIQ Instant Camera Printer – The Phoblographer

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, B&H Photo, eBay, Adorama.

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals to be found here)

Canon Powershot SX420 IS Sample Images – Photography Blog

Autumn Photography Top Tips In Bad Weather – ePHOTOzine

The Ultimate Monopod Head? Wimberley Monogimbal Head Review – Steve Perry

Canon Shooter Tries Fujifilm X-T3 for the First Time: “Intuitive and Inspirational! No Other Digital Camera is so Fun to Use, But… – Fuji Rumors

More Ultra High-Resolution MTF Experiments – Lens Rentals

Color theory for photographers part 2: Hue, saturation, and value – 500px

Below: Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM lens review with sample pictures – Christopher Frost Photography

Below: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 Model Shoot & Review by Darren Miles

Interview With The Mastermind Behind The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III rumor
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DPReview interviewed two senior executives at Canon about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, Mr. Toshio Matsumoto, Senior Principle Engineer, and Mr. Kazuyuki Suzuki, Chief of Operations, from Canon’s Image Communication Business group.

Of the two, Mr. Toshio Matsumoto is known as the ‘father of the EOS-1‘. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

How did you decide which features to update compared to the EOS-1D X Mark II?

There were a variety of factors. We get a lot of requests from our professional users, and we’re always listening to what they need. Their demands are sometimes very detailed! But we have to listen to their requests. In addition, we have to look at our technology – what kind of technology can meet those demands.

[…]

This is the first high-end camera Canon has released since the EOS R. Are your high-end and professional customers asking for a mirrorless solution?

Of course some professional photographers are asking for a mirrorless solution. But as of now, we also see a lot of demand from photographers asking for DSLRs, specifically [because of] the benefits of an OVF. So this time around we decided to go for a DSLR. Of course we understand that there are huge benefits to mirrorless, and we implemented, or combined as much of that [technology] as we could into the [EOS-1D X Mark III].

[…]

As a camera manufacturer making products for a professional customer, what does a DSLR allow you to provide that a mirrorless camera does not?

At this point in time the biggest difference is the finder. The fact that you can see everything in real time, without any layers in the way. That’s really big for a lot of professional sports photographers. On the other hand, we do see a lot of the younger generation of professionals favoring EVFs, because what you see is what you get. We understand that there is a demand for that benefit of mirrorless cameras. So what we always do is we strive to make a perfect solution out of these different demands.

Read the interview at DPReview

Although Canon announced the development of the Canon EOS-1D X MArk III, we still do not know about all the features. This is what we know for sure so far about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III (all rumors):

  • All-new CMOS sensor
  • Dual-pixel 525-point CMOS AF with 90/100% coverage horizontally and vertically
  • New Digic Processor
  • 10-bit HEIF file capture (in addition to JPEG and Raw)
  • Max 16fps capture via viewfinder, and 20fps in live view (with AF)
  • Dual CF Express card slots
  • 10-bit, 4:2:2 4K/60 video with C-Log
  • Backlit buttons

No reliable intel about the resolution but 24MP is likely.

Stay tuned.