Preliminary, Non Scientific Tests Suggest Canon’s New 32MP Sensor Improves On Dynamic Range

Canon Eos 90d Canon Aps-c Firmware Dynamic Range

It seems Canon’s claim they managed to improve dynamic range while raising the resolution of their latest APS-C sensor is not wrong.

Fred Miranda forum user cgarcia did some tests with sample images from DPReview to compare dynamic range figures of the new Canon EOS 90D (32MP) and the Canon EOS 80D (24MP).

Canon EOS 90D – ISO 100:

  • DR at 32MP: 12.468
  • DR at 8MP: 13.480 (+1.012)
  • read noise: 2.80125

Canon EOS 80D – ISO 100:

  • DR at 24MP: 12.435 EV
  • DR at 8MP: 13.2343 (+0.7993)
  • read noise: 2.86601

As you can see, there is a small improvement over the EOS 80D.

cgarcia also learned that the dynamic range improves much more at higher ISO settings (compared to the EOS 80D). The image below shows that a higher ISO settings the DR of the EOS 90D improves continously.

Dynamic range comparison between Canon EOS 90D and Canon EOS 80D at different ISO settings (image © cgarcia)

These figures look pretty good. However, keep in mind this is a non scientific test. To be sure we have to wait for further analysis of the performance of Canon’s new 32MP APS-C sensor. Never the less, it appears Canon managed to deliver a quite amazing image sensor.

Canon’s new 32MP APS-C sensor is featured on the brand new Canon EOS 90D and Canon EOS M6 Mark II.

Canon EOS 90D:

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

Canon EOS M6 Mark II:

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

More About The Security Flaw In Canon’s WiFi Transfer Protocol

Security Flaw Canon Firmware

Canon yesterday issued security advisory concerning a security flaw in their Picture Transfer Protocol, the WiFi transfer protocol used on Canon cameras.

The security flaw was demonstrated by Israeli security company Check Point Research during DEF CON 2019. The security researchers were able to hijack a Canon EOS 80D using USB and wirelessly using WIFI.

The discovered vulnerabilities would allow a malicious actor to take over a target’s DSLR camera through both WiFi and USB, giving him full control over it. Such an infection could, for example, be used for installing a Ransomware on the camera, and demanding ransom for both the images and the camera itself. Not a nice scenario for professionals.

As LensVid sums it up:

An attacker who would want to use a similar approach to perform a real-world ransomware attack on a EOS 80D will need to set-up a rogue WiFi Access Point and initiate the exploit (something that can certainly be done by many sufficiently experienced attackers although will require the Camera’s WIFI to be turned on).

The video below shows how Check Point Research exploited the Canon EOS 80D using the cited security flaw. By building on existing knowledge of Magic Lantern, they were able to build a ransomware.

All the steps involved in exploiting the security flaw in Canon’s WiFi transfer protocol are documented in this technical article.

Check Point Research promptly informed Canon. While waiting for the firmware updates, Canon recommends the following:

  • Ensure the suitability of security-related settings of the devices connected to the camera, such as the PC, mobile device, and router being used.
  • Do not connect the camera to a PC or mobile device that is being used in an unsecure network, such as in a free Wi-Fi environment.
  • Do not connect the camera to a PC or mobile device that is potentially exposed to virus infections.
  • Disable the camera’s network functions when they are not being used.
  • Download the official firmware from Canon’s website when performing a camera firmware update.

Canon already issued a firmware update for the Canon EOS 80D, and more updates will follow.

Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. The researchers found multiple critical vulnerabilities in Canon’s Picture Transfer Protocol. And it’s likely these vulnerabilities are present in other manufacture’s PTP as well.

Stay tuned.

[via LensVid]

Canon Announces New 120MP High Resolution and 2,7MP High Sensitivity Sensors

Sensors

More Canon sensor announcements. These sensors are highly specialised devices, not to be featured in you standard DSLR.

Press release:

Canon U.S.A. Announces New 120 MP Ultra-High Resolution and 2.7 MP Ultra-High Sensitivity CMOS Sensors

MELVILLE, NY, June 20, 2019 – As image sensors are a driving force in innovating industries, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to announce two new CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors) sensor products, the ultra-high resolution 120MXSI and ultra-high sensitivity 35MMFHDXSMA. These sensors help expand the company’s lineup of industrial vision products, and offer integrators and end users additional capabilities when developing solutions in a variety of applications1.

“As a result of Canon’s success in developing and manufacturing advanced CMOS sensors for our own purposes, we expanded to create a business platform offering select sensor capabilities for use in industrial vision applications,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “These two new CMOS sensors reflect Canon’s dedication to this new business, and reinforce our commitment to developing high-quality imaging solutions.” 

120MXSI

The 120MXSI sensor is built with the ability to produce clear, high-quality images, making it a great fit for integrators and end users developing applications such as machine vision, security, robotics, precision agriculture and healthcare. This 120-megapixel sensor is capable of simultaneous and discrete image capture in both the visible and near-infrared spectrumsat a maximum frame rate of 9.4 frames per second. 

35MMFHDXSMA

The 35MMFHDXSMA sensor is capable of capturing monochrome imagery in extreme low-light environments where subjects would be near impossible to recognize with the naked eye. Removal of the color filter array doubles the sensitivity of the previously announced 35MMFHDXSCA sensor, providing even greater low-light capabilities. This sensor can meet a wide range of ultra-high-sensitivity needs when used as a component to support a multitude of applications developed by integrators and end users, including astrological observation, natural disaster monitoring, security and object detection, molecular and cell biology, and industrial vision. 

The 120MXSI and 35MMFHDXSMA CMOS sensors will be showcased in the Canon Booth #1611 at the Sensors Expo & Conference, which, according to its organizer, is the industry’s largest event dedicated to sensors, connectivity and IoT, taking place from June 26-27, 2019 at the San Jose McEnergy Convention Center in San Jose, California.

For more information on Canon sensors, please visit canon-cmos-sensors.com.