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Ultra-thin lenses could eliminate the need for smartphone camera bumps

12 Oct
Protruding camera bumps like on the iPhone 11 Pro Max could soon be a thing of the past.

Smartphone cameras have been improved a lot over recent years and while many improvements are down to software and image processing, hardware also plays a big part. Sensor sizes have been increased, lenses have become faster and optical tele lenses offer better zoom performance.

However, there’s also a drawback to these developments. Due to the laws of physics, faster and longer lenses, especially when combined with larger sensors, take up more space in a device. Combined with the device designers’ obsession with ultra-thin bodies this resulted in many devices coming with unsightly ‘camera bumps’ that protrude from otherwise perfectly smooth smartphone housings.

Those bumps could soon be a thing of the past, though. A research team at the University of Utah has developed a super-thin camera lens that would easily fit even in the thinnest smartphone body.

Current lenses are, depending on lens type and sensor size of the camera, a few millimeters thick. The new lens type is only a few microns thick, that’s about a thousand times thinner than current smartphone lenses. They are also one hundred times lighter.

Flat lens developed by researchers at the University of Utah, photo: Dan Hixson/University of Utah College of Engineering

The method the researchers have used to make this possible has been detailed in a research paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The new lenses are flat and consist of a large number of microstructures, each bending the light towards the sensor rather than just one single piece. As part of the project the team also developed a fabrication process using a new type of polymer and algorithms than can calculate the exact geometry required for these microstructures.

‘You can think of these microstructures as very small pixels of a lens,’ says Rajesh Menon, one of the co-authors of the project, ‘They’re not a lens by themselves but all working together to act as a lens.’

According to the scientists, the new lens type could also help give smartphones thermal imaging capabilities as well as design more lightweight military drones that could fly longer and lighter night vision cameras for soldiers in the field.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony bumps Nikon from #2 spot as its global ILC market share increases 4% year-over-year

24 May
An illustration in Sony’s financial documents that shows how its Digital Imaging Business is positioned.

In a recent conference call with investors and analysts, Sony broke down the numbers and statistics of its digital imaging business for the 2018 fiscal year (FY2018). While there’s plenty of interesting tidbits to pull out, the most significant is that Sony is now reporting it has 24 percent of the global still camera market based on revenue, an increase in four percent compared to FY2017.

Sony’s global market share, based on revenue, from its FY2017 report.
Sony’s global market share, based on revenue, from its FY2018 report.

According to Sony’s report, its interchangeable lens camera (ILC) market share increased from 19 percent in FY2017 to 23 percent in FY2018, moving them to second place behind Canon and ahead of Nikon. Meanwhile, its compact camera market share increased from 26 percent in FY2017 to 29 percent in FY2018, moving them to the number one spot globally.

Despite Sony’s increase in the global market share, based on revenue, Sony’s report shows the still camera market as a whole decreased from ¥1,400 billion to ¥1,300 billion, a drop of 7.1 percent. Interestingly, this decrease is identical to the 7.1% drop in global digital camera unit sales according to the most recent report from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).

Moving away from still images, Sony also reported that while its global market share in the video camera market remained at 29 percent, the overall market size, in revenue, dropped dramatically from ¥390 billion to ¥300 billion, a massive decrease of 23 percent.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon EOS 80D updates Dual Pixel AF, bumps resolution with 24MP sensor

19 Feb

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Canon has updated its prosumer DSLR line with the EOS 80D, offering a newly developed 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 45-point all cross-type autofocus module, updated Dual Pixel AF for live view still and video recording, and Wi-Fi with NFC.

Canon claims its new AF module, a notable improvement over the 70D’s 19-point system, is capable of focusing in low light conditions down to -3EV at the center point. Dual Pixel AF now offers continuous focus, and all pixels are able to perform phase detection focus while being used for still imaging. Video recording is offered at an improved 1080/60p.

The 80D uses a DIGIC 6 processor and provides a native ISO range in stills shooting from 100-16,000, expandable to 25,600. Burst shooting at up to 7 fps is on par with the 70D. The 80D is equipped with an approximately 100% coverage optical viewfinder and a fully articulated 3″ 1.04M-dot touchscreen LCD, as well as built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

The Canon EOS 80D will be available in March for $ 1199 body-only or $ 1799 bundled with an updated EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens.

Press release:

SHARE YOUR PASSION THROUGH IMAGES USING
THE NEW EOS 80D DSLR CAMERA AND EF-S 18-135mm NANO USM LENS

Designed to Help Unleash the Creative Potential in Us All, New Imaging Technology
Will Help You Shoot & Share Amazing Images and Video

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 17, 2015 – Artists looking to turn their passion into popular online videos or to show the world their unique perspective through social networks now have a new tool available to them that helps them tear down creative barriers and produce dynamic visual content for both still and video.  Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce the new Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR camera, featuring an new 45-point AF system1, 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor for crisp images with fine detail. For the budding videographer or online video star, the camera features Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus (DAF) technology coupled with an intuitive touchscreen capability for easy focusing when shooting video.

Canon is also introducing a new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens optimized for high-speed autofocusing when shooting stills and quiet and smooth zoom when shooting video. The lens is also compatible with Canon’s new Power Zoom Adapter for smooth cinematic ‘pulls’ when changing focal length on a subject, and responsive adjustments at the push of a button for stills or video.

Updated features in Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera include: 

  • New 45-point all cross-type AF system 
  • Intelligent Viewfinder with approximately 100% viewfinder coverage 
  • Newly Developed 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor
  • DIGIC 6 image processor for enhanced image quality
  • Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth, fast and accurate autofocus with video and stills 
  • Built-in Wi-Fi 2 and NFC2 capability for easy transfer of images and movies to compatible mobile devices
  • 1080/60p Full HD video to capture brilliant results in MP4 format for easy movie sharing on select social networking sites
  • Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD II monitor enables flexible positioning and clear viewing even outdoors 

“In today’s world, where everyone is a photographer or videographer, we at Canon are looking to provide the tools and features that help creative-minded people stand out from the pack and get noticed. The right technology cannot make someone creative, but it will help bring a creative vision to life,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The right combination of camera and lens helps those with a vision stand out and be recognized. We look forward to seeing what this new generation of passionate artists will create with these new tools.” 

New AF System and Dual Pixel CMOS AF
The 45-point all cross-type viewfinder AF system in the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera, compared to 19-points in the Canon EOS 70D DSLR camera, is now wider both horizontally and vertically for easier compositions with off-center subjects. Low light AF performance has been improved all the way down to EV-3 at the center point to achieve sharp results even in extreme low-light situations. The camera’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) Servo AF II autofocusing system utilizes color tracking with a 7,560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor that automatically detects skin tone and colors to enhance tracking sensitivity, even with moving subjects that are rapidly changing pace or direction.  Enhancing the ease-of-use of the new AF system is the Canon EOS 80D’s new Intelligent Viewfinder which features approximately 100% viewfinder coverage. The full coverage helps prevent photographers from missing objects that are in the corners of the scene, which can reduce the need to crop images later on. 

Dual Pixel CMOS AF employs a new Canon CMOS sensor with which all of the effective pixels are able to perform both still imaging and phase-detection AF simultaneously to achieve dramatically improved AF performance during Live View and video shooting. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology in the Canon EOS 80D camera features enhanced tracking sensitivity and is compatible with the full line of Canon EF Series lenses, including the new Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM  standard zoom lens. 

High-Quality Still and Video Image Performance
Featuring a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS sensor and Canon’s superb DIGIC 6 Image Processor, as well as an improved still image ISO range of 100–16000 (Video ISO range 100–12800, both expandable to 25600), the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera is capable of producing sharp, detailed images and videos even in low-light conditions. High-speed continuous shooting up to seven frames per second (fps) combined with the 45-point all cross-type AF allows photographers to capture fast moving subjects easily and accurately, while the camera’s Scene Intelligent Auto Mode delivers optimized photos and offers outstanding scene detection for amazing results even when shooting in low light. HDR mode provides creative filter effects, such as natural, art standard, art bold, art vivid and art embossed. For added convenience, the Canon EOS 80D camera features Anti-Flicker shooting, similar to that found in the EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera. Anti-Flicker shooting produces consistently high-quality results even when shooting in areas with fluorescent lighting or other flickering light sources by detecting the flicker cycle of the light source and shooting when brightness is near its peak. 

When users select the EOS Movie mode, the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera offers the ability to shoot in 1080p Full HD video up to 60 fps, compared to 30 fps in the Canon EOS 70D, in MP4 format and in either ALL-I or IPB compression modes with optional embedded time code. For expanded creativity the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera features HDR movie and Time-Lapse movie modes and Movie creative filters like fantasy, old movie, memory, dramatic monochrome and miniature. Movie Servo AF custom settings allow users to speed up or slow down focusing speeds, enhancing creativity and artistic expression. For added flexibility, the Canon EOS 80D digital SLR camera also features a built-in headphone jack, a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment, and an additional stereo microphone jack.

News Lens, Power Zoom Adapter, and Directional Stereo Microphone Enhance Video Quality
In addition to the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera, Canon U.S.A., Inc., is also introducing the Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens, a newly designed lens with a premium exterior design that will serve as the kit lens for the new Canon EOS 80D camera. This the first Canon lens equipped with Nano USM, a new type of focusing motor that combines the benefits of a ring USM (ultrasonic motor) for high-speed AF during still photo shooting and lead-screw type STM (stepping motor) for smooth and quiet movie AF, and improved AF speeds up to 4.3x (Tele) and 2.5x (Wide) faster than the previous model. The Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens also provides up to four stops of optical image stabilization. A new lens hood, the EW-73D, is included with the new lens.

To further enhance the ease-of-use when shootings movies with a Canon DLSR or Cinema EOS cameras, Canon is introducing the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, specifically constructed to be compatible with the design of the new Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens. The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 is the world’s first detachable zoom adapter that provides silent and smooth zoom and can adjusted incrementally to 10 different levels of zoom speed3. Additionally, the PZ-E1 can be controlled remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app4.

In addition to the new lens and power zoom adapter, Canon is introducing the first Canon-branded external microphone for the EOS system, the Canon Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1. This new accessory microphone will help improve sound quality while shooting video, allowing users to rotate the direction of the microphone up and down from 90 to 120 degrees depending on the shooting situation. The DM-E1’s durable shock mount construction helps to reduce camera operation noise and lens drive sounds and is built to withstand the rigors of a variety of shooting situations. Featuring a frequency response range of 50Hz to 16kHz, the DM-E1 comes with a wind screen to help limit peripheral sound from wind and other outside factors, allowing shooters to utilize the microphone in a broad amount of shooting situations. Featuring a built-in power supply from a single “button-type” lithium cell battery, the DM-E1 also has a power indicator lamp allowing users to easily check its battery level. 

Availability
The Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR camera and EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens are currently scheduled to be available in March 2016 for an estimated retail price of $ 1,199.00 for the body only, $ 1,799.00 with the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and $ 599.99 respectively. 

The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 and Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1 are currently scheduled to be available in June 2016, for estimated retail prices of $ 149.99 and $ 249.99 respectively.  

For more information visit, www.usa.canon.com/eos.

1. The number of AF points, cross-type AF points and dual cross-type AF points vary depending on the lens used.

2. Compatible with iOS® versions 7.1/8.4/9.0, AndroidTM smartphone and tablet versions 4.0/4.1/4.2/4.3/4.4/5.0/5.1.  Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app. This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app.

3. As of 2/17/2016.

4. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app. This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app.

Canon EOS 80D specifications

Price
MSRP $ 1199 (body only), $ 1799 (w/18-135 lens)
Body type
Body type Mid-size SLR
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 26 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor DIGIC 6
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 100-16000 (expands to 25600)
Boosted ISO (maximum) 25600
White balance presets 6
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • Raw (Canon 14-bit CRW)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 45
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S
Focal length multiplier 1.6×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3
Screen dots 1,040,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.95×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Shutter priority
  • Aperture priority
  • Manual
  • Bulb
Scene modes
  • Food
  • Kids
  • Candlelight
  • Night Portrait
  • Handheld Night Scene
  • HDR Backlight Control
  • Portrait
  • Landscape
  • Close-up
  • Sports
Built-in flash Yes
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • High speed continuous
  • Low speed continuous
  • Silent single shooting
  • Silent continuous shooting
  • 10/2 sec self-timer/remote ctrl
Continuous drive 7.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Videography notes Choice of ALL-I or IPB codecs
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I support)
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port Yes
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11/b/g/n with NFC
Remote control Yes (Wired, wireless, or via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 960
Weight (inc. batteries) 730 g (1.61 lb / 25.75 oz)
Dimensions 139 x 105 x 79 mm (5.47 x 4.13 x 3.11)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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