RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘sensor’

Samsung shares new promotional video for its pixel-packed 200MP HP1 mobile image sensor

21 Sep

Samsung has published a new promotional video detailing the features of its new ISOCELL HP1 mobile image sensor.

In the three-minute video, Samsung Sensor Design Team member Minho Kwon shares the various technologies the HP1 sensor brings to mobile image. Specifically, he addresses the 0.64?m pixel size of the sensor, as well as its various pixel-binning modes, including the 4–1 pixel binning (to give an equivalent pixel size of 1.28?m) used when recording 8K video, as well as 16-to-1 pixel binning (to give an equivalent pixel size of 2.56?m) used in low-light environment for still images.

Minho Kwon also details Samsung’s Smart ISO technology, a dual-gain mode that intelligently switches between gain levels to achieve the maximum detail in both light and dark environments.

No new information is presented in the video, but it’s a great look into a pixel-packed sensor we’ll likely see inside next year’s flagship smartphones.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Samsung shares new promotional video for its pixel-packed 200MP HP1 mobile image sensor

Posted in Uncategorized

 

The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in October With a 33 MP Sensor

29 Aug

The post The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in October With a 33 MP Sensor appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

the Sony a7 IV will launch in October with a 33 MP sensor

The long-awaited Sony a7 IV will likely debut in October, boasting a brand-new sensor, improved in-body image stabilization, and more.

This comes from Sony Alpha Rumors, who recently reported on an a7 IV announcement delay; thanks to a chip shortage, the a7 IV’s original September 2021 announcement date has been pushed to October. Unfortunately, the shortage will affect a7 IV availability, and you can expect “that supplies will be limited during the first months” of a7 IV shipments.

While few a7 IV specs have been released – and none have been unveiled directly by Sony – Sony Alpha Rumors has managed to paint a picture of the upcoming camera. Most notably, the a7 IV will include a new 33 MP sensor, not a redesign of the standard 24 MP sensor found in the a7 III. This will offer users enhanced cropping and printing capabilities over previous a7 models, and will undoubtedly appeal to the “do-everything” camera crowd, who require a camera that can handle action, detail work (e.g., landscapes, product photography), and more.

A 33 MP sensor would also push the a7 IV past the 30 MP Canon EOS R and far beyond the 20 MP EOS R6. Sony Alpha Rumors claims that “Sony’s goal with the a7 IV is to really fight back with Canon,” and that you can expect the new camera “to be more than an ‘updated’ Sony a7 III.”

What else will the a7 IV offer? The new camera will feature slightly improved in-body image stabilization over its predecessor (5.5 stops versus 5 stops). And older rumors hint at an updated electronic viewfinder – 3.69M-dot resolution versus the a7 III’s 2.36M dots. While the a7 III’s EVF was respectable for its time, a resolution boost is certainly in order, though no doubt some Sony fans will wish for a 5.76M-dot viewfinder to match the a7R IV and the Canon EOS R5.

And you can also expect 4K/60p video, “top-notch” autofocus and image quality, plus improved sensor readout speeds.

As for the price: Back in late 2020, Sony Alpha Rumors suggested a $ 2499 USD tag – $ 500 USD more than the a7 III at the time of launch, yes, but given Sony’s aims for the a7 line, the price seems plausible.

Regardless, if you’ve been waiting for the a7 IV, it won’t be long now. So keep an eye out for the official announcement!

Now over to you:

What do you think of the rumored a7 IV specifications? Are you pleased? Frustrated? What do you hope to see in an a7 IV? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in October With a 33 MP Sensor appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in October With a 33 MP Sensor

Posted in Photography

 

Megapixels, Sensor Size or Lens: What Matters Most?

23 Jul

It’s hard to compare apples to apples when you want to buy a camera. Product descriptions throw all these numbers at you, such as the number of megapixels and the sensor size, but you may not understand how each affects image quality. Plus, for interchangeable lens cameras, many people will tell you the lens is more important than the camera Continue Reading
Photodoto

 
Comments Off on Megapixels, Sensor Size or Lens: What Matters Most?

Posted in Photography

 

Canon EOS R3: Eye-Control AF, 30 FPS, a BSI Sensor, and More

16 Apr

The post Canon EOS R3: Eye-Control AF, 30 FPS, a BSI Sensor, and More appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Canon EOS R3 with Eye-Control AF, 30 FPS, a BSI sensor, and more

Canon has introduced the EOS R3, a full-frame, mirrorless “high-performance professional camera,” designed for sports and action photographers.

As Canon explains, “The camera will put great emphasis on superb AF performance and speed,” and will lie “squarely between the EOS R5 and EOS-1D X Mark III cameras.”

In other words, while the EOS R3 will be Canon’s most powerful mirrorless model to date, don’t expect it to outcompete the EOS 1D X Mark III in every way. The EOS R3 won’t be a mirrorless 1D X replacement, and it likely isn’t a high-resolution action camera, either.

That said, the EOS R3 sounds pretty darn impressive. Here’s everything we know about this upcoming mirrorless powerhouse:

Canon EOS R3 specs

The EOS R3 will feature Canon’s own back-illuminated sensor. BSI technology packs key circuitry behind the sensor – rather than in front – to further expose photodiodes to light. This makes for enhanced high-ISO performance, and it also delivers superior dynamic range, a feature appreciated by photographers of all stripes.

The EOS R3 boasts a whopping 30 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed (using the electronic shutter, that is; Canon hasn’t released any information on continuous shooting via the mechanical shutter). And while many action photographers have resisted mirrorless technology, in part due to slow electronic shutter read-out speeds, Canon has made significant strides toward eliminating the problem; the company claims the R3 “provid[es] substantially faster read-out speeds during still-imaging recording,” and that the camera “is designed to produce less ‘rolling shutter’ distortion during electronic shutter operation.”

As for the AF system itself, brace yourself. The EOS R3 packs technology from the Canon EOS R5 and R6, both of which deliver lightning-fast AF performance. And the EOS R3 offers “even better performance during portrait and action-type shooting” thanks to Canon’s Deep Learning technology. If you’re a sports photographer, wildlife photographer, or photojournalist, the EOS R3 may soon be the camera to beat – even if Canon officially ranks it below the 1D X Mark III.

Build quality is on par with the 1D X Mark III series, and like the 1D X cameras, the EOS R3’s design sports an integrated vertical grip:

Canon EOS R3

Last but certainly not least, the Canon EOS R3 will debut a never-before-seen mirrorless feature: Eye-Control AF, which promises to set focus based on where your eye is looking.

Canon writes:

The electronic viewfinder of the EOS R3 will offer photographers the ability to select the initial area for AF tracking by simply looking directly at the viewfinder location where they want to begin AF. With Eye-Control AF and Servo AF activated, the camera will focus on and track moving subjects at that location in the frame.

Of course, we don’t yet know how well Eye-Control AF will work. Canon has implemented a similar feature in the past, with mixed results. But given Canon’s recent autofocus successes, I’m cautiously optimistic that Canon can offer a pro-level Eye-Control AF this time around.

Canon EOS R3 release date and price

The EOS R3 is still under development and has no official release date. The R3’s sports-focused marketing does hint at a pre-Olympics (i.e., June or early July) introduction, however.

The EOS R3’s price is also a mystery, though the camera’s position between the $ 3900 USD EOS R5 and the $ 6500 USD 1D X Mark III suggests a $ 4500 to $ 5500 price tag.

Final words

While we’re still missing plenty of information on the EOS R3, new tidbits will likely leak in the coming weeks and months.

So make sure to keep an eye out for the latest R3 news.

Now over to you:

What do you think of the Canon EOS R3? Are you impressed? Excited? Disappointed? How much do you think the camera will cost? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Canon EOS R3: Eye-Control AF, 30 FPS, a BSI Sensor, and More appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Canon EOS R3: Eye-Control AF, 30 FPS, a BSI Sensor, and More

Posted in Photography

 

The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body

26 Mar

The post The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Sigma fp L announcement: a 61 megapixel sensor in a minuscule (full-frame) body

Yesterday, Sigma announced “the world’s smallest and lightest pocketable full-frame mirrorless camera,” the fp L, which packs a high-resolution sensor into a minuscule, rectangular body:

the Sigma fp L announcement

And that’s what makes this camera special; it’s literally a pocket-sized full-frame camera, one that you can take anywhere yet boasts the power of a much larger model.

The fp L joins Sigma’s current full-frame mirrorless offering, the Sigma fp, another ultra-compact, ultra-light camera that launched back in 2019. 

But while the Sigma fp appealed strongly to videographers, the fp L seems to be more stills focused. First, there’s the 61-megapixel sensor, which serves up plenty of resolution for landscape shooters as well as commercial photographers in need of detailed files. 

Then there’s a 3.68M-dot external electronic viewfinder, which attaches to the side of the fp L and allows photographers to work with the camera the way they’d work with high-resolution competitors such as the Sony a7R IV. As a stills photographer, I can’t fathom the idea of shooting without a viewfinder, so this is a welcome addition to the fp lineup. 

the Sigma fp L electronic viewfinder

(In fact, the EVF is also compatible with the original Sigma fp, so folks who weren’t satisfied shooting via the LCD or the optional LCD viewfinder might want to give that camera another look.)

Unfortunately, the electronic viewfinder does cost extra, though you can save a couple hundred dollars by purchasing it in a bundle with the fp L. 

Sigma’s press release emphasizes the fp L’s new Crop Zoom feature, which gives users the option to zoom by cropping for up to 5x magnification. Of course, zoom in too far and you sacrifice significant megapixels, but given the impressive starting resolution, it may come in handy if you need a bit of extra reach.

The fp L also promises improved autofocus over the fp, thanks to a hybrid autofocus system that combines contrast-detection and phase-detection AF for “smooth autofocus that is high precision, fast, and excellent at tracking a moving subject.” While the fp’s contrast-detection system was certainly serviceable, street photographers, portrait photographers, and travel photographers will appreciate the boost in speed and tracking, as will plenty of videographers. 

Interestingly, Sigma also highlights another new feature of the fp L: “USB-C charging while the camera is on.” In other words, you can pop in the battery, start shooting, and then – if the battery gets low – you can plug the camera into a mobile power bank for what Sigma is calling “unlimited power supply.” If you’re a photographer who spends days in the field but doesn’t want to juggle stacks of batteries, this will be a huge help, and videographers will love the ability to film for hours without worry.

Speaking of videography: 

While the fp L may not be as video-centric as the fp, it’s perfectly capable of pro-level recording; you can shoot 4K/30p footage, and you get plenty of other video features, such as a mic port, zebra patterning, and RAW recording.

Regarding lenses: the fp L is compatible with L-mount glass from Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic, including a host of powerful Sigma L-mount lenses. 

So for those looking for a tiny camera that punches far above its weight, the Sigma fp L is a great option. You’ll be able to purchase the fp L for $ 2499 USD (or $ 2999 USD when bundled with the external EVF) as early as next month. 

Now over to you:

What do you think of the Sigma fp L? Is it a camera you’d be interested in buying? Is it missing any features that you’d like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on The Sigma fp L: A Full-Frame, 61 MP Sensor in a Minuscule Body

Posted in Photography

 

Nikon develops 1″-type square CMOS sensor that can capture HDR video at 1,000 fps

17 Feb

Nikon Japan has announced (machine-translated) it’s developed a 17.84-megapixel 1”-type multi-layer CMOS image sensor that can capture high dynamic range video at up to 1,000 frames per second.

Nikon is known to use Sony sensors in a number of its imaging products, but it also develops its own sensor technology. Case in point is this new 1”-type backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which offers high-speed capture with impressive dynamic range in a square capture format.

The stacked sensor uses 17.84 million 2.7?m pixels (4224×4224 pixels) to capture video at up to 1,000 frames per second with 110dB dynamic range. If dropped to 60fps, the dynamic range jumps to 134dB.

Nikon doesn’t specify what kind of products this sensor is destined for, but based on its square format and hint at its use in ‘industrial fields such as automobiles,’ it’s unlikely we’ll see this in a consumer camera anytime soon.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Nikon develops 1″-type square CMOS sensor that can capture HDR video at 1,000 fps

Posted in Uncategorized

 

The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in 2021, With a 30+ MP Sensor and 4K/60p Recording

16 Nov

The post The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in 2021, With a 30+ MP Sensor and 4K/60p Recording appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Sony a7 IV rumors
The Sony a7 IV will likely be the next a7 model to launch, around a year after the a7S III (pictured above).

It’s been over two years since the release of the Sony a7 III, but it seems like we’re finally getting close to its successor.

According to Sony Alpha Rumors, the a7 IV will debut midway through 2021. And while the camera won’t offer any truly groundbreaking features, SAR’s “usually very good source” suggests a suite of intriguing specs.

First, the sensor will no longer fit Sony’s 24 MP mold. Instead, we’ll be treated to a megapixel upgrade, something in the “30-32 MP region.” If this is true, the Sony a7 IV resolution will offer a meaningful boost over the 24 MP a7 III and a7C, without reaching the storage-hogging heights of the a7R series. Personally, I’m a big fan of this megapixel “middle ground” – it guarantees some additional pixels without significantly affecting high-ISO noise performance (and you can bet that Sony’s done a good job with the sensor, which means that it’ll offer a noise performance at least comparable to the excellent a7 III).

One of the few areas where the a7 III has lagged behind the competition is with the electronic viewfinder, which comes in at 2.36M-dots, compared to the Canon EOS R’s and the Nikon Z6’s 3.69M-dot resolution. But while the a7 IV won’t compete with its 5.76M-dot sibling, the a7R IV, SAR claims the a7 IV should offer a 3.69M-dot EVF, which puts it in a “professional” range and should improve the overall a7 IV shooting experience.

Sony Alpha Rumors also claims that, despite a “cheap” LCD, the “image quality and AF will be top-notch.” While I wouldn’t expect anything less from an a7 III successor, it’s nice to hear it from a source.

As for video:

The a7 IV will offer (unsurprisingly) 4K/60p recording, which should be enough for most videographers, though it certainly won’t turn heads like the a7S III with its 4K/120p capabilities, or the Canon EOS R5 with its 8K option.

Finally, you can expect a price of around $ 2500 USD, which is expensive without heading into that “niche professional” category.

We’re a long way off from an announcement, but make sure to check back on dPS for any relevant updates!

The post The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in 2021, With a 30+ MP Sensor and 4K/60p Recording appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on The Sony a7 IV Will Launch in 2021, With a 30+ MP Sensor and 4K/60p Recording

Posted in Photography

 

Sony a7C review: Compact size, big sensor image quality

28 Oct

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_5104195094″,”galleryId”:”5104195094″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Silver Award

87%
Overall score

The Sony a7C is the company’s latest and smallest full-frame interchangeable lens camera. It fits a 24MP full-frame sensor and image stabilization into a body more closely resembling the APS-C sensor a6600.

A lot of work has clearly gone into making this one of the smallest full frame cameras available, whereas a lot of the features and capabilities are familiar. A new retractable kit zoom is being launched along with the a7C to help maintain those size savings.

Out of camera JPEG.
ISO 500 | 1/40 sec | F9 | Sony FE 35mm F1.8
Photo by Carey Rose

Key specifications

  • 24MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
  • Bionz X processor (same as in the a7 III)
  • ‘Real-time tracking’ AF system with human head, face, eye, and animal recognition
  • Oversampled 4K video at up to 30p, including 8-bit S-Log and HLG
  • Continuous bursts at up to 10 fps
  • Fully articulating 921K dot touchscreen
  • 2.36M dot EVF with 0.59x mag.
  • Mic and headphone sockets
  • Large ‘Z-type’ battery, rated to 740 shots per charge

The Sony a7C is available at a price of around $ 1799 ($ 2399 CAD) or with the new collapsible 28-60mm F4-5.6 kit zoom for around $ 2099 ($ 2699 CAD).


Review contents

From the camera’s controls to the image and video quality it’s capable of, find out what exactly what you want to know about the a7C right here.

What’s new and how it compares

The a7C fits almost all the capabilities of the a7 III into a body that has more in common with the a6000 series. This means a smaller viewfinder but few other compromises.

Read more

Body and handling

The a7C has three dials, all controlled using your thumb. It still handles pretty well, though, with a solid body and a small but pretty comfortable grip.

Read more

Initial impressions

The a7C’s main strengths are its size and convenience. This could make it a powerful travel or family camera. But there’s a price to be paid, and this isn’t necessarily a budget option.

Read more

Image quality

The a7C produces both Raw and JPEG images that are a match for any of its peers. Dynamic range is excellent but you need to shoot large, uncompressed Raw files to get the full benefit.

Read more

Autofocus and video

The a7C’s main improvement over the a7 III is an autofocus system that integrates all its subject recognition capabilities so you don’t need to mess around changing modes to get the most out of it.

Video is good but its operation can be a little awkward.

Read more

Conclusion

The a7C’s combination of size, image quality, AF performance and battery life make it a superb travel camera, but some awkward aspects of operation, including its small viewfinder, hold it back as a photographer’s choice.

Read more

Sample gallery

We’ve been shooting the a7C with both its kit zoom and the sensibly compact FE 35mm F1.8, to see what the camera offers.

See the gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Sony a7C review: Compact size, big sensor image quality

Posted in Uncategorized

 

DJI’s new Pocket 2 three-axis-stabilized mini camera offers larger sensor, wider lens and more

21 Oct

DJI has announced the release of its new DJI Pocket 2, a second-generation three-axis mini camera.

The updated camera drops the Osmo nomenclature its predecessor bore and improves its performance across the board. Despite keeping its compact size, weighing just 117g (4.2oz), the Pocket 2 has a larger sensor and wider lens than the Osmo Pocket, which DJI claims has dramatically improve image quality for both photos and video.

The new 1/1.7” sensor (Osmo Pocket had a 1/2.3” sensor) works in tandem with a new 20mm (equivalent) F1.8 lens to capture 16MP photos in standard mode and up to 64MP images in high-resolution mode. The Pocket 2 can record 4K video at up to 60fps at a 100Mbps bitrate. DJI has added HDR recording and the device now offers up to 8x zoom using the 64MP high-resolution mode or 4x lossless zoom when shooting at 16MP or in 1080p.

DJI has also improved the focus system, which should make it easily to track moving subjects faster and more accurately than with the Osmo Mobile. The Hybrid 2.0 AF feature uses a combination of contrast and phase detection to deliver these performance improvements.

DJI Matrix Stereo also improves upon one of the weakest points of the Osmo Mobile—audio. The new audio system uses an array of four microphones to capture what DJI calls an ‘immersive audio experience.’ DJI has added a number of audio features, including Directional Audio, SoundTrack and Audio Zoom. Below is a description of the new features straight from DJI:

’Directional Audio enhances sound recording from those microphones to pick up as much detail as possible, with SoundTrack adjusting the audio based on where the camera is facing, while Audio Zoom narrows the sound field when zooming the camera in. To further filter out unwanted background sounds, an optional wind noise reduction helps keep the audio clean in outdoor settings.’

As with nearly all of DJI’s products, there’s a handful of pre-programmed shooting modes included with the Pocket 2:

  • Pro Mode: Control advanced camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, EV, and focus mode.
  • ActiveTrack 3.0: Select a subject and let DJI Pocket 2 keep it in the frame automatically.
  • Slow Motion: Capture the fast-moving world in slow motion with a max speed and resolution of 8x at 1080p.
  • Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Motionlapse: Speed up the world around you with the varying effects of three different time-lapse operations. Hyperlapse automatically integrates Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for added smoothness. Users have the ability to save individual images separately, record in RAW format, and use ActiveTrack 3.0.
  • Panoramas:
    • 180° Pano: Captures four photos for sweeping landscape images.
    • 3×3 Pano: Merges nine images for a wide and detailed view.
  • Livestreaming: Livestream directly to Facebook, YouTube, or RTMP.
  • Story Mode: Preset camera movements, color profiles, and music make it easier to choose a template, record the moment, and share to social media instantly.

Other features include a new Fast Wake option that will instantly turn on the device so you don’t miss any action, a Drop Aware function that will ‘take preventative measures when it senses the gimbal falling’ and a Pause Recording feature that will quickly pause video recordings.

With new hardware comes new accessories, including a charging case, wireless microphone set, waterproof housing, a more compact control wheel, an extension rod, a (more) wide-angle lens attachment, a wireless module and a smartphone support system. All of the above features and more can be controlled with the free DJI Mimo smartphone app, available on both Android and iOS.

The DJI Pocket 2 can be purchased in two configurations: the DJI Pocket 2 with the Mini Control Stick and Tripod mount for $ 349, or the DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo, which includes the Mini Control Sitck, tripod mount, wide-angle lens attachment, wireless microphone with windscreen, the do-it-all handle and the micro tripod for $ 499. Units can be purchased through DJI’s online store and authorized DJI retailers.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on DJI’s new Pocket 2 three-axis-stabilized mini camera offers larger sensor, wider lens and more

Posted in Uncategorized