8K video seems to become an must-have feature even if few people needs it, and even fewer have the computing resources to edit it. It’s featured on the Sony Alpha 1 and the Canon EOS R5. So, let’s go.
Latest BCN rankings on Japanese market shares on mirrorless camera sales shows that Fujifilm is on a steep rise.
BCN collects data of about 40% of the Japanese electronics and online stores. Their latest analysis shows a promising start into 2021 for Fujifilm. They are now very close to Canon’s second rank. Sony is also on the raise, and the undisputed market leader for mirrorless cameras in Japan. OM Digital (former Olympus), on the other hand, is on a downwards trend.
Sony is set to release another innovative imaging sensor, with 128MP resolution and global shutter.
Canon is also rumored to work on an entirely new sensor. Sony, so it seems, will release its imaging sensor before Canon..
Sony press release:
Sony to Release Large Format CMOS Image Sensor with Global Shutter Function and Industry’s Highest Effective Pixel Count of 127.68 Megapixels
Delivering Increased Pixel Count, High-Speed Imaging Performance, and Contributing to Solutions in the Field of Advanced, Diversified Industrial Equipment
Tokyo, Japan — Sony Corporation announced today the upcoming release of a large format 56.73mm diagonal CMOS image sensor “IMX661” for industrial equipment with a global shutter function and the industry’s highest*1 effective pixel count of 127.68 megapixels.*2
This product features an increased pixel count that yields an optical size nearly 10 times larger than the common 1.1-type image sensor corresponded to the C mount*3 for industrial equipment. It also features Sony’s original global shutter pixel technology “Pregius™”, which enables capture of motion distortion-free images. Furthermore, the Sony’s original device configuration and interface technology employed enable high-speed image readout at a data rate nearly four times faster*4 than conventional products.
Sony expects that the new sensor, when used in industrial equipment cameras for a wide variety of applications, will help to solve a variety of complex challenges, thereby contributing to the development of industry.
*1Among CMOS image sensors equipped with a global shutter. According to Sony research (as of announcement on March 9, 2021).
*2Based on image sensor effective pixel specification method.
*3The joining mechanism between lens and the camera body.
*4Compared to Sony’s “IMX253” 1.1 type, 12.37 effective megapixels CMOS image sensor equipped with a global shutter function.
Model name Sample: IMX661 3.6 type (56.73 mm diagonal) 127.68-effective-megapixel CMOS image sensor Shipment date (planned)*5: April 2021(*5 The dates given for sample shipment date (planned) are for the color model. Black and white model samples will be available for shipment approximately one month later.”
Needs for automation, labor-saving and other benefits of digital transformation continue to grow in recent years in various fields of industrial equipment. This has accelerated the adoption of cameras for a wide variety of applications, driving demand for CMOS image sensors with higher imaging performance.
The new product couples Sony’s Pregius technology with the 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal) large optical size, delivering an increased pixel count and motion distortion-free imaging. The original device configuration, which employs a chip-on-wafer process, together with Sony’s original interface technology, enables high-speed readout nearly four times faster than conventional products*4 in full-pixel readout mode. This design delivers highly efficient imaging that captures a wide viewing angle with no motion distortion in a single imaging operation. It also improves recognition precision thanks to the high-resolution imaging and delivers a high level of processing performance. It can contribute to solutions for a variety of industrial equipment applications, for example, inspection processes for production of displays and electronic substrates, wide-area monitoring, and aerial photography, where its improved precision and quicker readout will help meet the need for a high level of productivity.
Interesting rumor from the Sony front. A new imaging sensor with new technology might be in the works.
Our friends at Sony Alpha Rumors got a hot tip about a new imaging sensor with “zigzag manner pixel type”. A source told them:
Sony released the information of a zigzag manner pixel type, high-speed 12lane SLVS-EC 5G, 61 megapixels full-frame Exmor R sensor for value-added reseller. This sesnor [sic] has 3.76um pixel size but 45-degree rotated, to output 120 megapixels for industry or security application.
Their source also sent them a leaflet that appears to refer to this new imaging sensor. Looks rather interesting. Sony has always been a huge technological innovator in the camera industry. Wouldn’t be surprised if they come out with a new technology. In any case a new imaging sensor released by this company is always a big thing. And btw, Canon is also producing a large set of super specialised imaging sensors. Some of then are truly exciting, like extreme high ISO sensors that “can see in the dark“.
Ultra-high sensitivity with ISO expandable to 409,600 for very low light conditions and 15+ stops of dynamic range[ii]
S-Cinetone™ look profile which is inspired by the digital cinema camera VENICE’s colour science, also used in FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras, and records up to 4K 120p[iii]
Compact and lightweight body design with high operability for hand-held shooting, gimbal and drone-mounted work
Multi-thread (1/4-20 UNC) body makes it easy to mount accessories
Detachable XLR handle unit with two of XLR/TRS audio input
“Active Mode” image stabilisation[iv] supports handheld movie shooting
Fast Hybrid Auto Focus, Touch Tracking (real-time tracking) and Real-time Eye AF, also used in other Alpha™ cameras
Uninterrupted 4K 60p recording (Continued)[v] by Effective heat dissipation and built-in cooling fan
Sony today officially announced the FX3 (model ILME-FX3) camera that combines the best of Sony’s industry-leading digital cinema technology with advanced imaging features from Alpha™ mirrorless cameras to create the ultimate cinematic look.
As the latest addition to Sony’s Cinema Line, the FX3 delivers a cinematic look and professional operability and reliability all in one device that answers the needs of young creators who are looking for new ways to express their creative vision. The new model provides outstanding image quality and usability for small scale and one-person shooting. The FX3 boasts first-class focus performance, optical image stabilisation, handheld shooting design and advanced heat dissipation for extended recording times. All this in a compact, lightweight body that provides the performance and mobility to meet the growing demands of today’s content creators.
“The FX3 was designed to turn creative vision into reality,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “It allows creators to bring their visual expression into the world of cinema through immersive content. We will continue to support the world’s creators through Sony’s Cinema Line Series.”
Cinematic Look
The FX3 flaunts Sony’s industry-leading image sensor technology to achieve high processing speeds and outstanding image quality. The full-frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor full-frame 10.2 megapixel(approx. effective) count for movie recording (and 12.1 effective megapixels for stills) and the BIONZ XR image processing engine team up to ensure high sensitivity with low noise. The standard ISO range is 80 to 102,400 (expandable to 409,600 when shooting a movie), and dynamic range is an impressively wide 15+ stops[ii].
In response to a growing need for more expressive depth, the FX3, along with FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras, allows users to create a cinematic look without post-production using S-Cinetone. Based on the colour science inspired by Sony’s flagship VENICE camera, S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones, plus soft colours and smooth highlights that are essential to cinematic look.
Create movies with in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second[iii]. Extraordinarily smooth slow-motion imagery[vi] (up to 5x) at QFHD (3840 x 2160) resolution with autofocus provides new expressive capability.
Here is another Sony Alpha 1 vs Canon EOS R5 comparison review. Both are full frame mirrorless cameras.
Tony & Chelsea Northrup compare the Sony Alpha 1 ($6,500) and the Canon EOS R5 ($4,500). They test eye detection AF for portraits with both humans and dogs. Then, they take wildlife photos to test the bird eye AF. Next, they test two sports scenarios: photographing people running at the camera and motorsports and cars. The results may surprise you: the Sony Alpha 1 has plenty of power an speed, but the less expensive Canon R5 is still better in many comparisons.
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