Canon Announces World’s First Ultra-High-Sensitivity Interchangeable-Lens SPAD Sensor Camera

Canon

Canon press release:

Canon Launches MS-500 – The World’s First Ultra-High-Sensitivity Interchangeable-Lens SPAD Sensor Camera

The Camera Supports Advanced Surveillance, Enabling Color Video Capture of Subjects Several Miles Away, Even at Night

MELVILLE, NY, August 1, 2023 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that the company is launching the Canon MS-500, an ultra-high-sensitivity interchangeable-lens camera (ILC). The MS-500 is not only the world’s first1 ultra-high-sensitivity camera equipped with a SPAD sensor but also features the world’s highest pixel count2 on its 1” Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor of 3.2 megapixels. The company announced the development of the camera in April 2023, and visitors to the Canon booth at NAB 2023 saw a working sample of the camera in action firsthand.

In areas with extremely high-security levels, such as seaports, public infrastructure facilities, and national borders, high-precision monitoring systems are required to surveil targets both day and night accurately. The new MS-500 camera is the world’s first ultra-high-sensitivity camera equipped with a SPAD sensor, achieving a minimum subject illumination of 0.001 lux3. When combined with ultra-telephoto broadcast lenses, it may be possible to capture clear color videos of subjects at a distance of several miles, even at night. The new MS-500 helps to strengthen Canon’s ultra-high-sensitivity camera lineup, which also includes the ME20, and ML Series4, allowing the company to meet a variety of customer needs in the advanced surveillance market.

Combination of SPAD Sensor and Broadcast Lenses Enable Long Range Surveillance at Night

The SPAD sensor uses a technology known as “photon counting,” which counts light particles (photons) that enter a pixel. When incoming photons are converted to an electric charge, they are amplified approximately one million times and extracted as digital signals, making detecting even small amounts of light possible. In addition, every single one of these photons is digitally counted, prohibiting the introduction of additional noise during signal readout—a key advantage of SPAD sensors. This enables clear color video shooting even under a 0.001 lux low-light environment.

The MS-500 camera has a built-in, industry-standard B4 bayonet lens mount (based on BTA S-1005B standards), a widely used mount for 2/3-inch broadcast lenses. The lens mount allows operators to utilize Canon’s extensive lineup of broadcast lenses.

Custom Picture Functions Help Improve Visibility, Including Noise and Haze Reduction

The effect of noise and atmospheric turbulence, particularly in dark environments, may cause issues with video resolution, especially in long-range surveillance applications. To help mitigate this occurrence, CrispImg2, a Custom Picture preset mode that optimizes resolution and contrast while suppressing image noise, is a standard setting in the custom picture menu. Users can also create their own custom picture profiles to adjust and save image quality settings according to various shooting environments. This feature enables users to shoot high-visibility videos at virtually any time of day or night. The MS-500 camera also includes Haze Compensation, and Smart Shade Control features that help reduce the effects of haze and mist while automatically adjusting contrast and image brightness.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon MS-500 SPAD Sensor Camera is scheduled to be available in September 2023 for an estimated retail price of $25,200.00*. For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.

The Worst Thing About Canon (and other brand’s) Cameras, According To PetaPixel’s Chris

Canon

This is just for fun so do not take it seriously or start a war about it. What’s the worst in Canon cameras? And other cameras?

Chris of DPReview fame and now employed at PetaPixel, discusses what he believes is the worst of Sony, Nikon, Canon, Leica, and some other manufactures. He says:

Every camera company has an achilles heel that annoys Chris and he’s ready to dish. Here are the worst things about every camera company.

Curious? Just watch the video. Canon related rants start at minute 2:50.

Nikon Z 8 Teardown And Disassembly (not easy to do, it seems)

Nikon Z 8

Here is neat teardown and disassembly of the popular Nikon Z 8 mirrorless camera.

Nikon Z 8 at a glance:

  • 45.7MP FX-Format Stacked CMOS Sensor
  • Lightweight Design, 30% Smaller than Z9
  • 8.3K 60p N-RAW, 4.1K 60p ProRes RAW
  • 8K30p and 4K120p Video, 10-Bit Internal
  • Up to 20 fps Raw, 30 fps JPEG Shooting
  • 493-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection
  • Blackout-Free Real Live Viewfinder
  • 3.2″ 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • CFx Type B & SD Memory Card Slots
  • 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Kolari Vision disassembled the Nikon Z 8 and they found it’s not easy to disassemble and put together again. The folks at Kolari Vision says:

We consider the Nikon Z8 a mid-difficulty camera to teardown. According to our camera tech, there were so many screws to keep track of.

Nikon Z 8:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, 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

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First Canon EOS R5 Mark II Bodies Undergoing Testing In The Wild?

It’s along running rumor, but we can sure the EOS R5 Mark II will be released, sooner or later.

Latest murmurings has it that Canon might already test the EOS R5 Mark II with selected photographers. The rumor originated from the YouTube channel of Ordinary Filmmaker. I wouldn’t rate it as very reliable. On the other hand, rumors that go on since such long time have a high probability to become reality, sooner or later. For the mere simple fact that there will be a successor to the EOS R5.

According to the rumor in the video below, Canon put EOS R5 Mark II bodies into the hands of content creators, videographers, and photographers. Basically everyone who might need a camera to get things done. According to the rumor, the EOS R5 Mark II might be released in Q4 2023. Time will tell.