Did you think the Canon EOS 5Ds and EOS 5Ds R with their 50 megapixel were the ultimate resolution monster out there? Think again.

Canon announced another technological innovation today: a 250 Megapixel APS-H sensor, and a working prototype is also ready. This APS-H sensor measures 29.2 x 20.2mm and has a resolution of 19,580 x 12,600 pixels. That’s 30 times more than 4k video, and 125 times more than  HD video. Kudos Canon!

TOKYO, September 7, 2015—Canon Inc. announced today that it has developed an APS-H-size (approx. 29.2 x 20.2 mm) CMOS sensor incorporating approximately 250 million pixels (19,580 x 12,600 pixels), the world’s highest number of pixels¹ for a CMOS sensor smaller than the size of a 35 mm full-frame sensor.

When installed in a camera, the newly developed sensor was able to capture images enabling the distinguishing of lettering on the side of an airplane flying at a distance of approximately 18 km from the shooting location.²

With CMOS sensors, increases in pixel counts result in increased signal volume, which can cause such problems as signal delays and slight discrepancies in timing. The new Canon-developed CMOS sensor, however, despite its exceptionally high pixel count, achieves an ultra-high signal readout speed of 1.25 billion pixels per second, made possible through such advancements as circuit miniaturization and enhanced signal-processing technology. Accordingly, the sensor enables the capture of ultra-high-pixel-count video at a speed of five frames per second. Additionally, despite the exceptionally high pixel count, Canon applied its sensor technologies cultivated over many years to realize an architecture adapted for miniaturized pixels that delivers high-sensitivity, low-noise imaging performance.

Video footage captured by the camera outfitted with the approximately 250-megapixel CMOS sensor achieved a level of resolution that was approximately 125 times that of Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video and approximately 30 times that of 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) video. The exceptionally high definition made possible by the sensor lets users crop and magnify video images without sacrificing image resolution and clarity.

Canon is considering the application of this technology in specialized surveillance and crime prevention tools, ultra-high-resolution measuring instruments and other industrial equipment, and the field of visual expression.

Canon published their investor relation for Q2 2015. You can access two documents (both PDFs):

• Presentation Material for Q2 2015
• Results for Q2 2015

Go for the presentation material for an easier approach. Canon’s profits are down by 16%. The company blames the shrinking DSLR market, but it is safe to assume that this isn’t the only factor that may have lead to the profit loss. With most of the other players pushing innovation and doing strong in new markets like mirrorless cameras, Canon may want to have a closer look on what causes a 16% loss.