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Friday, April 7, 2023

Canon developing revolutionary ultra high sensitivity ILC MS-500 equipped with SPAD sensor




TOKYO, April 3, 2023 - Canon Inc. announced today that the company is developing the MS-500, the world's first1 ultra-high-sensitivity interchangeable-lens camera (ILC) equipped with a 1.0 inch Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor2 featuring the world's highest pixel count of 3.2 megapixels3. The camera leverages the special characteristics of SPAD sensors to achieve superb low-light performance while also utilizing broadcast lenses that feature high performance at telephoto-range focal lengths. Thanks to such advantages, the MS-500 is expected to be ideal for such applications as high-precision monitoring.

There is a growing need for high-precision monitoring systems for use in such environments as national borders, seaports, airports, train stations, power plants and other key infrastructure facilities, in order to quickly identify targets even under adverse conditions including darkness in which human eyes cannot see, and from long distances.

The currently in-development MS-500 is equipped with a 1.0 inch SPAD sensor that reduces noise, thus making possible clear, full-color HD imaging even in extreme low-light environments. When paired with Canon's extensive range of broadcast lenses, which excel at super-telephoto image capture, the camera is capable of accurately capturing subjects with precision in extreme low-light environments, even from great distances. For example, the camera may be used for nighttime monitoring of seaports, thanks to its ability to spot vessels that are several km away, thus enabling identification and high-precision monitoring of vessels in or around the seaport.

With CMOS sensors, which are commonly used in conventional modern digital cameras, each pixel measures the amount of light that reaches the pixel within a given time. However, the readout of the accumulated electronic charge contains electronic noise, which diminishes image quality, due to the process by which accumulated light is measured. This leads to degradation of the resulting image, particularly when used in low-light environments. SPAD sensors, meanwhile, employ a technology known as “photon counting”, in which light particles (photons) that enter each individual pixel are counted. When even a single photon enters a pixel, it is instantly amplified approximately 1 million times and output as an electrical signal. 

Every single one of these photons can be digitally counted, thus making possible zero-noise during signal readout—a key advantage of SPAD sensors4. Because of this technological advantage, the MS-500 is able to operate even under nighttime environments with no ambient starlight5, and is also capable of accurately detecting subjects with minimal illumination and capture clear color images.

The MS-500 employs the bayonet lens mount (based on BTA S-1005B standards) which is widely used in the broadcast lens industry. This enables the camera to be used with Canon's extensive range of broadcast lenses which feature superb optical performance. As a result, the camera is able to recognize and capture subjects that are several km away.

Going forward, Canon will continue to pursue R&D and create products capable of surpassing the limits of the human eye while contributing to the safety and security of society by leveraging its long history of comprehensive imaging technologies that include optics, sensors, image processing and image analysis.

Canon plans to commence sales of the MS-500 in 2023.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Canon announced two Cinema Zoom Lens and updates to EOS Cameras



 

London, United Kingdom - 3rd April 2023 – Canon Europe today announces the launch of two Super 35mm lenses for high-end 4K, 8K and HDR cinema productions, which enhances its Flex Zoom line-up. With the ongoing popularity of the Super 35mm sensor, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L S / SP and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L S / SP are the fastest Super 35mm lenses on the market offering such broad focal lengths1. The CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L, a wide angle 14-35mm zoom lens and the CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L, a mid-focal range lens with a 31.5-95mm zoom range, offer incredible optical performance to support a wide range of uses and shooting scenarios.


CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L key features :

  • Constant T1.7 aperture across entire focal length
  • 14-35mm wide angle zoom range
  • Compatible with Canon relay change mount for easy conversion between Super 35mm and Full Frame
  • Cooke /i Technology™ and ZEISS eXtended Data™ lens communication
  • 11 Iris Blade aperture for beautiful bokeh effect
  • Interchangeable EF/PL mount options
  • 3.3kg in weight

CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L key features :

  • Constant T1.7 aperture across entire focal length
  • 31.5-95mm mid-focal length zoom range
  • Compatible with Canon relay change mount for easy conversion between Super 35mm and Full Frame
  • Cooke /i Technology™ and ZEISS eXtended Data™ lens communication
  • 11 Iris Blade aperture for beautiful bokeh effect
  • Interchangeable EF/PL mount options


Powerful cinematic imagery

Bolstering Canon’s Flex Zoom range, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L offer a fast constant aperture of T1.7 that creates an incredibly shallow depth of field to ensure subjects stand out, whilst also enhancing the compatibility with fast prime lenses when used together in the same production. Covering the most frequently used focal lengths in cinema production, these models offer high optical performance to create sharp, consistent images for 4K and 8K capture. Coupled with 11 Iris blades, this produces a beautiful bokeh effect and softly diffused light. Building on Canon’s heritage and colour science, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L achieve warm colours and true-to-life skin tone reproduction, with breath-taking image quality.

Versatile Flex design

Living up to the series name, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L are flexible lenses, suited to a wide range of scenarios. In addition to the interchangeable mount design that enables the lens to be switched between EF and PL mounts, these lenses are the first in Canon’s cinema range that make use of Canon’s interchangeable relay kit, enabling them to be switched from Super 35mm to Full Frame and back again, at any Canon authorised service centre2. Weighing just 3.3kg and 3.5kg respectively, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L have a compact, lightweight design that is perfect for versatile shooting or tight filming environments.

Enhanced communication for creative workflows

Both lenses support efficient lens metadata workflows including Cooke /i Technology™, and ZEISS eXtended Data™ via PL mount, alongside 4-pin Lemo connectivity. This is invaluable for virtual productions, where positional information is needed to ensure virtual backgrounds react as a natural background would to the perspective of the camera, as well as for post-production VFX workflows. Furthermore, electronic lens communication with chromatic aberration and peripheral illumination correction, as well as a Dual Pixel Focus Guide for manual focus assist via EF mount is available when used with compatible cameras.

Offering precise operation and enhanced usability, the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L feature 0.8mm gears which are compatible with industry-standard follow focus accessories and external motors. With a precise mechanical design, users have greater control over lens optics, enabling smooth operation and creative control during filming. With a robust build, these lenses stand up against a range of different environments, making them great for on-location shooting.

Cinema EOS firmware update

Canon is also announcing a collection of new firmware updates to further enhance and expand the capabilities of the EOS R5 C, EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C500 Mark II cameras.

The update will bring a high resolution Clear Scan function, offering a more concise range from 50 to 250Hz, providing greater synchronization support when shooting LED screens on virtual productions. In addition, an option to change the in-camera waveform monitor size, as well as further metadata support for the latest Canon lenses, has been added. 

Improvements to the EOS R5 C include support for the EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter, faster switching time between photo and video modes, a power saving mode, 2x magnification during 8K MP4 recording and a digital-teleconverter option, maximizing flexibility by providing a quick way to increase the telephoto capability of the lens used.