[Patent] Another Canon Patent For Improved Phase-Detection Autofocus (next mirrorless sensor?)

Conventional approach (left) and patented approach (right)

Egami (machine translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon and related to methods that aim to improve the performance and accuracy of the phase-detection AF. This is the second patent in a few days – the first one can be seen here. Such an AF method is featured on the Rebel T4i/650D and on Canon’s recently announced mirrorless camera, the EOS M. Note that such an AF method is particularly useful on a mirrorless camera, given that such cameras, since they are missing the mirror, can not focus in the “traditional way”.

As far as I can tell, the patent details methods to increase AF performance by eliminating problems caused by the angle of incidence of the light: “[…] reduce the diffraction limit by a high refractive index layer“. Another discussed issue is the reduction of the pixel size (higher resolution??). I am more and more confident that both patents are related to an upcoming sensor which, I guess, will be at the heart of the more pro-oriented mirrorless camera most of us are expecting to be announced in September at Photokina.

  • Patent Publication No. 2012-151367
    • 2012.8.9 Release Date
    • 2011.1.20 filing date
  • The diameter of the spot light focusing of the micro lens
    • Determined by the numerical aperture and λ the wavelength of the incident light
    • By the wave nature of light, not smaller than the diffraction limit
    • When the pixel size below the diffraction limit, pupil division is impossible
    • ⊿ = 1.22 * (λ / n * sinθ) diffraction limit
    • ※ This angle θ is half the chance of lens optical system was synthesized in the micro-lenses and layers
  • Related art
    • There is a light flux can not reach into the openings of the light-shielding layer of the phase difference AF pixel for the image plane, the light-receiving efficiency is reduced
    • Although the distance can be shortened and the photoelectric conversion unit if microlens back-illuminated (BSI), if the pixel consists of a low refractive index layer in the layer lens +, for total internal reflection occurs, can not be expected to increase the angle
  • Canon’s patented
    • To reduce the diffraction limit by a high refractive index layer
    • Structure of the pixel
      • Within a layer lens, and light shielding layer formed between the microlens
      • The high refractive index layer, filled between the lens and the light-shielding layer in the layer
      • The low refractive index layer, a light shielding layer filled between the microlens and
      • Optical system consisting of micro-lens and lens in the layer, connecting the focal point in the PD
      • A case
        • Λ = 540nm wavelength of the incident light
        • 1.6 refractive index of the microlens
        • 1.45 refractive index of the low refractive index layer
        • Layer of high refractive index lens and in the layer refractive index n = 2.3 (silica Sio 2 of the prior art is n = 1.46)
[via egami]

Canon EOS M: A Camera For The Ladies (according to Canon), And To Be Released In September

DC Watch (machine translated) published an interview with some Canon executives. The interview is rather long. A few of the discussed points:

  • The EOS M should be released to the public in mid September
  • The EOS M‘s target are women. According to Canon they prefer not to have a bulky DSLR in their hands
  • m43 is no competition since the sensor is too small
  • From the beginning the goal was to make the EOS-M as good as other EOS DSLR cameras. And to make it small and light.
  • First goal is to reach a 15% of the mirrorless market share in Japan (by October)
  • Shutter from the EOS DSLR series has been miniaturized to fit into the EOS-M
  • PowerShot G1 X sales are still strong (production is 30.000 units per month)
  • A Four Thirds sensor would bring an even further advantage in miniaturization but Canon wanted to make it fully EOS compatible
  • Canon chose to have phase detection pixel on sensor because that technology works better than contrast AF on moving objects
  • EOS-M mount can not accommodate a full frame sensor
  • There is no plan for a FF mirrorless
  • No plan for now to make an adapter for FD lenses.

 

EOS M pre-order links:

USA & world-wide:

EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
EOS M Black at Amazon (click here), Amazon UK (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M White at BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 22mm pancake at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 18-55mm kit lens at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M adapter at Amazon (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M Flash at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).

Germany (Amazon DE): EOS M black with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here), EOS M white with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here), EOS M red with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here), EF-M 22mm 1:2 STM Pancake lens for €249 (click here), EF-EOS M Adapter for €129 (click here), wexcameras.de (click here)

Italy: Amazon IT (click here)

UK: Amazon UK (click here)

More pre-order options here.

[via DCwatch]

EOS M and EF-M Lenses Availability In Germany (Amazon DE)

Image credit: Jet Daisuke

Since short Amazon DE has more EOS M related items in offer.

Moreover, Amazon DE has the EF-S 18-135mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM in stock (just 4 items) for €509 (click here).

Canon EOS M Available For Pre-Order At Amazon Germany And Italy

Image credits: Jet Daisuke

The EOS M now can be pre-ordered at Amazon Germany (click here, from Austria and Switzerland too) and at Amazon Italy (click here). For the time being the only EOS m-related item you can get at Amazon DE and IT is the camera itself, coming as a kit with the EF-M 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens and the Speedlite 90EX. Price tag is €849 at Amazon German (click here) and €915,06 at Amazon Italy (click here). Why it costs €65 more in Italy is a mystery to me. German news site heise.de has a pro/contra article about the EOS M.

World-wide EOS M per-order links:

EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
If you live in Germany: wexcameras.de (click here), Amazon DE (click here)
If you live in Italy: Amazon IT (click here)
If you live in the UK: Amazon UK (click here)

EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
EOS M Black at Amazon (click here), Amazon UK (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M White at BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 22mm pancake at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 18-55mm kit lens at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M adapter at Amazon (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M Flash at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).

More pre-order options here.

[Review] EOS M vs. Rebel T4i/650D, Panasonic GX1, Nikon 1 V1/1 J1

Techradar posted some comparisons/buying guides for you to check. Keep in mind that for the time being there are only pre-production models of the EOS M, so a professional made comparison with other gear is yet not feasible. The EOS M (click here to see all specs) is compared to the Rebel T4i/650D (which has the same sensor as the EOS M), the Panasonic GX1 and to Nikon’s 1 V1 and 1 J1.

Price check of cited cameras:

EOS M: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Panasonic GX1: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Nikon 1 V1: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Nikon 1 J1: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[Review] Next EOS M Reviews And Hands-On Round-Up

Yeah, Hello New EOS World! Just want to list some of the last resources related to the EOS M (the ILC with the best sensor on the market) I have found on the web. First of all, all the pics you see above and below are by Jet Daisuke, and were shot in Tokyo a few days ago. Let’s start with an in-depth preview of the EOS M made by Camera Labs. From the verdict:

[…] having compatibility (with some limitations) to the entire EF lens catalogue which makes it extremely tempting to existing Canon DSLR owners. Second is having a decent sized APS-C sensor with performance that’s identical to an existing EOS DSLR. Third, for me anyway, is also sharing the movie capabilities of EOS DSLRs including a decent array of frame rates, full manual exposure control, audio level adjustment and the chance to connect an external microphone. Fourth is the standard hotshoe, which can accommodate any of the Canon Speedlites, and fifth is the decent touch-screen interface which includes pinch and swiping gestures. As for the hybrid AF system, this could become a big plus point or a negative depending on its performance in practice.

Next, DPreview has updated its first impressions review “with lots more information, including our own hands-on pictures of the camera and a video illustrating the shutter sound“. Nofilmschool is pasticularly interested to know if moire and aliasing have been improved. The hands-on is done from a film-makers point of view. Thoughts and impressions by Amin Sabet on The Online Photographer. Another hands-om at EOSHD. Finally, I would also like to feature two posts by techradar. First one analyzes the impact Canon’s entry in the mirrorless market may have on the industry, the second one discusses the possible dead of (Canon) DSLRs because of the raising of mirrorless system cameras.

Canon EOS-M preorder links:

EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
If you live in Germany: wexcameras.de (click here)

EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
EOS M Black at Amazon (click here), Amazon UK (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M White at BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 22mm pancake at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 18-55mm kit lens at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M adapter at Amazon (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M Flash at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).

More pre-order options here.

Uhhh…would like to have all these lenses
Looks cool…
Definitely cool!
Supercool!