[Patent] New Canon Phase-Detection AF Method With Higher Accuracy And Smaller Pixel Size (for the next mirrorless camera?)

Egami (machine translated) found a Canon patent for an improved phase-detection AF. Higher accuracy is obtained by better propagation of light. The patent text also suggests, the method should improve accuracy when light is falling in with a low-angle incident. I found another thing very interesting: the patent refers to smaller pixel size, i.e. you can pack more pixel on the sensor. So, given that a phase-detection AF is particularly useful on a mirrorless camera, could that indicate that Canon is working on a higher resolutions sensor (with an improved AF) for its more pro-oriented mirrorless camera that we expect to be announced later this year?

  • Patent Publication No. 2012-151215
    • 2012.8.9 Release Date
    • 2011.1.18 filing date
  • Existing techniques
    • JP 2002-314062
    • Conventional techniques beam separation is insufficient, Ranging Accuracy is poor
      • Scattering effects due to wiring
      • The smaller the angle of incidence, it is difficult to detect
      • Smaller pixel size, the value of F becomes larger microlenses (dark), they spread the light next to almost the same in the size of the image pixel size and pixel diffraction
  • And waveguide
    • The waveguide, depending on the angle of incidence of the light flux, there is a characteristic (waveguide mode) is different states of light propagation in the waveguide
  • Canon ‘s patented
    • Consisting of waveguide waveguide and vice
      • Guiding light of two different incident direction: waveguide
      • Vice waveguide: one for each waveguide comprises a waveguide two sub-
    • Can be detected by the photoelectric conversion unit specific, the incident light at a particular angle
    • Impact of wiring
      • The incident light to propagate the core portion of the waveguide, reducing the impact of wiring
    • Low-angle incident light, by using the corresponding waveguide mode depends on the incident direction
    • Small pixel size, support by limiting the distribution of the emitted light
      • Achieved by suppressing the spatial width confinement in the waveguide propagation of light sub-

 

And Now It Is Official: Canon EOS M Announced! (Sample Images, Hands-On Videos, All Pre-Order Links, Continously Updated With All The News)

This post will be updated as new information flows in. I am updating with new posts.

It is here! Canon’s jump on the mirrorless bandwagon is done. The camera has a price of $800/€850/£769.99 with the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens and will soon be available. Black, white, silver and red are the colours of choice.
Sample images and movies on Canon JP (click here). For the first, comprehensive review of the EOS M by digitalcamerainfo click here, or jump directly to the conclusion (click here): “Simply put, the EOS M […] takes the guts of a DSLR and puts it in a body you can put in your pocket” and “The EOS M is […] a simple-to-use DSLR that won’t intimidate, but doesn’t skimp on the components or build quality“.
So, let’s go for the pre-order links (previews, videos, hands-on and more after the pre-order links). N.B: If you are seriously interested in the Canon EOS M, then act quickly. There will be lots (lots!) of pre-orders and the listed shops will, as usually, have a limited supply at the beginning:

Previews and Reviews:
Philip Bloom (The death of the DSLR  in it’s current form is inevitable), Dpreview and Techradar and Imaging Resource and Spanish hands-on at DSLRmagazine, and German at heise.de.

Press release:
Canon’s press release. The lenses at Dpreview. Press at Imaging Resource. Press at Photographyblog. French press at Lemondedelaphoto. Press at Engadget. Press at TheVerge. German press at Photoscala. French press at Focus Numerique. Press at Digitalcamerareview. Japanese press at Itmedia.

Canon’s official product teasers below

What do you think about the EOS M?

  • Cute little camera (45%, 195 Votes)
  • Don't care (29%, 126 Votes)
  • Piece of crap (26%, 113 Votes)

Total Voters: 434

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Official specs:

  • 18.0 MP CMOS (APS-C) Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • Full HD Movie with Focus Tracking
  • 3.0″ Touch Screen LCD with 1040K-dots
  • Touch AF and Multi-touch Operation
  • Hybrid CMOS Auto-focus for Photo & Video
  • Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600 (H)
  • Canon’s First Mirrorless Camera
  • Includes Canon EF-M 22mm F/2 STM Lens

 


Canon’s press release…:

Click here to open the rest of the article

[Video] EOS M First Hands On Video

While we are waiting for the official announcement of the EOS M, Canon’s mirrorless camera, there is already a first hands-on video that showed up on youtube (thanks to reader Mitch!). The video is in Italian (I speak it). Surprise surprise: the camera comes in different colors. The Canon guy says that «a lot of prototypes have been tried out in Canon – we think we achieved a good product with the EOS M». When asked about a model with viewfinder, he basically is saying that «a viewfinder is something that only DSLR shooter would miss», and: «Maybe there will be a camera with viewfinder in the future». Still no information about the price. Basically, the specs I posted yesterday are confirmed. Moreover…:

  • Manual controls (exposure and aperture) are available through the touchscreen
  • Shutter can be released through the touchscreen, after focus has been locked (2:28″ on the video)
  • 14 bit RAW header
  • External microphone
  • Phase and contrast detection AF
  • Different colors available

The touch-screen seems to be very functional, clean and easy to use. The EOS adapter is huge, but, i guess, that’s the price for being able to use EOS lenses line-up.

EOS M External Flash Picture Leaked (Canon Mirrorless Camera)

Thanks to an anonymous reader who sent me this image via email. After the images of the EOS M, the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens and the also new, Image Stabilized EF-M 18-55mm lens, we are able to provide an image of the external flash for Canon’s soon-to-be-announced (Monday, July 23rd) mirrorless system camera.

Stay tuned on Monday: I will cover the announcement, expected for 6-7 AM London time, providing all the new and information.

First image of the Canon 18-55mm lens for the new mirrorless camera (it means it’s an APS-C sensor camera!)

On top you can see the first picture ever posted of the new 18-55mm lens for the new Canon EOS M mirrorless system camera. It is also a confirmation that we are talking about a mirrorless camera with APS-C sensor.

Stay tuned on CanonWatch! The final Canon announcement is scheduled for next Monday at 6-7am London time! Be sure to be online at CanonWatch! We will blog live giving you all updates about news and reviews!

P.S: More pictures here (Click on them to view the full size version).