Canon Digital Learning Center articles about SpeedLite 470EX-AI

Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI
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Canon SpeedLite 470EX-AI at a glance:

  • Auto Intelligent Bounce Head
  • Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II
  • Guide Number: 154′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
  • Zoom Range: 24-105mm (14mm with Panel)
  • Tilts Upward 120°, +/- 180° Rotation
  • AI.B Full-Auto and AI.B Semi-Auto Modes
  • Optical Receiver Mode
  • LCD Panel
  • AF Assist Beam
  • Runs on 4x AA Batteries

The Canon Digital Learning Center posted a set of technical/instructional articles about the new Canon SpeedLite 470EX-AI.

Pre-orders for the Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI are open at $339 at B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Canon Digital Learning Center articles about Canon EOS M50

Canon Eos M50 Mark Ii
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EOS M50 at a glance:

  • 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 8 Image Processor
  • 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • UHD 4K and HD 720p120 Video Recording
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC, Bluetooth
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • ISO 100-25600, Extended ISO 51200
  • Combination 5-Axis Image Stabilization

The Canon Digital Learning Center posted a set of technical articles about the brand new Canon EOS M50 (canon rumors).

The Canon EOS M50 can be pre-ordered, starting at $779.

Pre-order Canon EOS M50 in USA & CANADA: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Pre-order Canon EOS M50 in UK: Park Cameras | Canon UK | Wex Photo Video | Amazon UK

Pre-order Canon EOS M50 in GERMANY: Canon Germany | Wex Photo Video

Pre-order the Canon EOS M50 in ITALY: Canon Italia

Canon research publishes paper on global shutter sensor

global shutterCanon’s research division posted a paper named “Development of Gentle Slope Light Guide Structure in a 3.4 μm Pixel Pitch Global Shutter CMOS Image Sensor with Multiple Accumulation Shutter Technology” (Hiroshi Sekine, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yusuke Onuki, Kazunari Kawabata, Toshiki Tsuboi, Yasushi Matsuno, Hidekazu Takahashi, Shunsuke Inoue, and Takeshi Ishikawa).

The paper describes a concept for a global shutter sensor. The paper’s abstract states:

CMOS image sensors (CISs) with global shutter (GS) function are strongly required in order to avoid image degradation. However, CISs with GS function have generally been inferior to the rolling shutter (RS) CIS in performance, because they have more components. This problem is remarkable in small pixel pitch. The newly developed 3.4 µm pitch GS CIS solves this problem by using multiple accumulation shutter technology and the gentle slope light guide structure. As a result, the developed GS pixel achieves 1.8 e− temporal noise and 16,200 e−full well capacity with charge domain memory in 120 fps operation. The sensitivity and parasitic light sensitivity are 28,000 e−/lx·s and −89 dB, respectively. Moreover, the incident light angle dependence of sensitivity and parasitic light sensitivity are improved by the gentle slope light guide structure.

Canon’s approach to the issue is two-fold (see also the picture after the quoted text):

[…] two key techniques to realize superior optical characteristics while suppressing the reduction of saturation more than the conventional GS pixels. The first technique is the multiple accumulation shutter technology. This technique improves pixel saturation. The second technique is the light guide structure. This technique improves optical performance. As a premise of adopting these two techniques, we first explain the idea of saturation allocation that is important in these techniques.

global shutter

The research paper is publicly available here, and was spotted by Image Sensors World.

Do you remember the Canon MM100-WS multi-purpose camera? Here are some more information

MM100-WS

Someone reminds this camera?

The Canon MM100-WS is a modular, multi-purpose camera that looks pretty much like an action camera, but is not. It’s aimed mainly at industrial applications, security and surveillance.

The MM100-WS is a modular system. That means you will be able to attach batteries, screens, and probably some more stuff. Some of the pics here give a good idea about the modularity. Moreover, Canon will make the API (application programming interface) available upon request (and disclosed under NDA), so all sort of customisation will be possible for a variety of applications. Cool gear. Looks definitely similar to an action camera, and it looks sturdy too. Canon is not new to multipurpose cameras.

The folks at Cinema5D interviewed Canon’s Terunori Tajiri during Inter BEE 2017 to learn more about the Canon MM100-WS.

The Canon MM100-WS Multi-Purpose Camera features a compact body size of approximately 1.57 in (w) x 1.57 in (h) x .85 in (d). The multi-purpose module camera has a highly customizable body designed to accommodate various module solutions and features a high-level of dust and moisture resistance and durability needed for a wide range of applications. In addition, the camera is capable of capturing images in low-light environments with as little as 1 lux of illumination.

The press release is here. The Canon MM100-WS is not going to be sold to the general public, it’s a business to business product. Want one? You have to contact Canon and ask.

MM100-WS

This time-lapse video shows how a Canon EOS 6D shutter gets replaced

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Ever wondered what happens when the shutter of a DSLR gets replaced? Ever had the “Error 20” on your Canon DSLR? Well, this is what happens when the shutter of a Canon EOS 6D is replaced. It’s amazing to see how many components and layers are fitted in a modern DSLR body. Impressing! The video was posted by Photographic Repairs on their Facebook page.

Source

Canon expands pixel size on FF sensors for more dynamic range & low light performance, white papers

Canon ME20F-SH
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Two interesting white papers published by Canon’s research engineers show how the company is working to build 35mm equivalent, full-frame sensors with increased dynamic range and low light sensitivity. Both articles where presented at the Hollywood Professional Alliance (HPA) Tech Retreat in Palm Springs on February 19, 2016.

The papers, spotted by Image Sensors World, discuss the challenges to fit 19um large photodiodes on a FF sensor. The white papers refer to the sensor featured in Canon’s ME20F-SH multi-purpose camera, a low-light champion.

The image sensor design sought optimization of three key attributes of the photo site:

  1. Sensitivity – determined by the quantum efficiency of the photosite
  2. Saturated charge quantity (sometimes termed full well capacity) – that determines dynamic range
  3. Efficiency of the charge transfer (sometimes termed conversion gain) – the goal being to transfer all electrons during each reset period to ensure full sensitivity

The larger the active photosite within the individual pixel the greater the capacity for capturing photons during the normal charge period. This is the primary factor defining the sensitivity of the photosite. However, the efficiency of accumulating and transferring these electrons to the pixel output during the readout period are equally important. The total charge accumulated must then be converted to a voltage that constitutes the output of that individual pixel. The pixel size of the ME20F-SH is approximately 19um square – and the photosite is a little smaller because of associated circuitry. The quantum efficiency of the photosite is defined by the percentage of incident light photons that are converted to electrons. Figure 3 shows the spectral characteristics of the image sensor. The effective monochrome Quantum Efficiency of the ME20F-SH photosite output is 70% at 500 nm.

ME20F-SHAbstracts on Canon’s Digital Learning Center state:

This presentation will review two technical innovations in CMOS image sensors and their associated digital processing that have significantly enhanced motion image origination. Details of the relevant technologies will be discussed.

The first technology is a new Super 35mm CMOS image sensor specifically developed to support origination of High Dynamic Range (HDR) motion imagery. The deployment of two separate photodiodes within each photosite is central to achieving the 15-stop dynamic range. The dual photodiode also supports a unique in-sensor phase detection strategy that is followed by powerful data processing that closes a focus control loop around the cine lens. Alternatively, for those who prefer manual focus operation, a separate data processing provides a Focus Guide in the form of signaling in the viewfinder achievement of precision focus.

The second technology exploits the large size of the 35mm Full Frame CMOS image sensor with the modest spatial sampling of 1920 (H) x 1080 (V) to realize a uniquely large photosite of 19 um x 19um. This facilitated development of an HD camera having unprecedented sensitivity. The final operational specification of a maximum ISO 4,000,000 setting has produced an HD camera that opens a broad spectrum of truly innovative image capture. This includes nighttime wildlife productions (many species are nocturnal) and deep underwater imaging that require no lighting whatever, certain astronomical shooting, unique documentary productions, and many forms of surveillance imaging.

Advances in further developing Canon’s own Dual Pixel Auto-Focus technology are also discussed:

Second Generation Dual Pixel CMOS Image Sensor – 15-Stop DR

The C300 Mark II employs a new generation Super 35mm CMOS sensor which is based on the same dual photodiode per photosite. Additional innovations within the photodiode design in combination with new on-chip noise cancellation technology have simultaneously lowered the noise floor and further elevated the saturation level of the charge well. In addition, a totally new microlens design heightens the efficiency of light direction onto the two individual photodiodes while also improving the separation between the two photodiode outputs.

The Canon ME20F-SH is not for anyone everyone, it’s a specialised camera and it sells for $20,000 at B&H Photo and Adorama.