Press release:

Full Suite of Canon Solutions for Multiple Healthcare Environments, from Digital Radiology, Eyecare and Document Technology Solutions

NEW ORLEANS, March 4, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc. (booth #8741), a leader in digital imaging solutions, will feature the latest of its digital radiography (DR) technologies, Eyecare instruments, multifunction devices and scanning solutions at the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society Annual Conference (HIMSS), at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, from March 3-7, 2013.

With an ability to provide solutions for both general information processing and clinical patient care, Canon's comprehensive technology portfolio can help healthcare customers streamline their business operations while enhancing information management.

Canon's booth will feature the demonstration of technology in real-world environments including:

This came today as a small suprise. Canon announced the development of a new 35mm equivalent full-frame sensor (picture above) exclusively thought for video. The full-frame sensor is said to be extremely sensitive yet maintaining low-noise imaging performance. In other words: full HD video in exceptionally low-light environments while delivering high-sensitivity, low-noise imaging performance. The immediate field of application seems to be astral photography. Not all press releases are interesting to read. This press release is it, and there is a video showing the sensor’s capabilities on Canon’s site (scroll down to the end of the press release).

Press release:

TOKYO, March 4, 2013—Canon Inc. announced today that the company has successfully developed a high-sensitivity 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor exclusively for video recording. Delivering high-sensitivity, low-noise imaging performance, the new Canon 35 mm CMOS sensor^*1 enables the capture of Full HD video even in exceptionally low-light environments.

The newly developed CMOS sensor features pixels measuring 19 microns square in size, which is more than 7.5-times the surface area of the pixels on the CMOS sensor incorporated in Canon’s top-of-the-line EOS-1D X and other digital SLR cameras. In addition, the sensor’s pixels and readout circuitry employ new technologies that reduce noise, which tends to increase as pixel size increases. Thanks to these technologies, the sensor facilitates the shooting of clearly visible video images even in dimly lit environments with as little as 0.03 lux of illumination, or approximately the brightness of a crescent moon—a level of brightness in which it is difficult for the naked eye to perceive objects. When recording video of astral bodies, while an electron-multiplying CCD,^*2 which realizes approximately the same level of perception as the naked eye, can capture magnitude-6 stars, Canon’s newly developed CMOS sensor is capable of recording faint stars with a magnitude of 8.5 and above.^*3

Using a prototype camera employing the newly developed sensor, Canon successfully captured a wide range of test video,^*4 such as footage recorded in a room illuminated only by the light from burning incense sticks (approximately 0.05–0.01 lux) and video of the Geminid meteor shower. The company is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research, and use in surveillance and security equipment. Through the further development of innovative CMOS sensors, Canon aims to expand the world of new imaging expression.

Canon Marketing Japan Inc. will be exhibiting a prototype camera that incorporates the newly developed 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and sample footage captured with the camera at SECURITY SHOW 2013 (www.shopbiz.jp/en/ss/), which will be held from Tuesday, March 5, to Friday, March 8, at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center in Tokyo, Japan.

*1

An imaging element (aspect ratio: 16:9) that supports the largest image circle size possible when shooting with a Canon EF lens.

*2

A CCD sensor with a readout mechanism that multiplies electrons after being converted from light. Applications include nighttime surveillance and the capture of astral bodies and nighttime nature scenes.

*3

The brightness of a star decreases 2.5-times with each 1 magnitude increase.

*4

Recording of test video footage was made possible through cooperation from ZERO Corporation.

• Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens Technical Report –> read it here
• 35mm prime lens round up –> read it here
• Canon EOS 6D [shoplink 7139](specs&price)[/shoplink] vs Nikon [shoplink 8936]D600 (specs&price)[/shoplink] DSLR Comparison Review –> read it here
• Canon PowerShot N [shoplink 9369](specs&price)[/shoplink] test photos –> read it here
• 
  Canon EOS 5D Mark III [shoplink 2431](price & specs)[/shoplink] Review | Canon 5d EOS Mark III Video – Free Bonus –> read it here
• Adventure filming test with Canon 1DC S35 All-I mode in Canon EOS-1D C Cinema EOS Camera on Vimeo –> read it here
• Using A Game Controller To Cull & Sort Files In Lightroom –> read it here
• Nikon D7100 vs Canon EOS 7D [shoplink 337](specs&price)[/shoplink] –> read it here
• Canon Powershot G15 vs Canon S110 review –> read it here
• iPhone App Turns Your Phone Into Camera Remote –> read it here
• DIY : How to Make a Waxed Canvas Camera Bag –> read it here
• Best full-frame DSLR: 8 cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sony compared –> read it here
• Canon Hosting Free Time Lapse Seminar w/ Vincent Laforet Coming Up Next Week –> read it here
• Satechi introduces BT Smart Trigger wireless shutter release for Canon –> read it here
• The Basics of Photography: A for Aperture –> read it here
• 
  88 Secrets of Photoshop — Workflow Options in Adobe Camera Raw –> read it here

B&H has the new Pocket Wizard Plus X Transceiver in stock and ready to ship for $99 (click here). Product description:

• Auto-Sensing Transceiver: Easy to use. No settings to make.

• 10 Channels: 1-4 Classic plus 5-10 low-traffic channels

• Backlit Channel Dial: Easy to set channels in the dark

• Internal Antenna: Compact, more rugged design

• Auto-Relay Mode: Trigger remote camera & flashes simultaneously

• Transmit Only Mode: Positive operation in large groups

• Side View Design : Better subject view on camera

• PocketWizard reliability:  PocketWizard compatibility

On of the prediction made by Nippon Magazine we reported first here at Canon Watch got a confirmation. Possible announcement dates for the EOS 70D that are rumored are 19th or 26th of March 2013. Nippon Magazine predicted an EOS 70D announcement for March. There are no specifications for the upcoming successor of the Canon EOS 60D (refurbished with the EF-S 18-135mm IS lens for $829 at B&H and Adorama), except that it should bring the xxD line-up to a more pro level, as the EOS 50D still was. In other words: compared to the EOS 60D the EOS 70D will push specification to a higher level.

Canon EOS 60D price check: [shopcountry 335] [via CR]