chip « 360Photography

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘chip’

GoPro announces Hero10 Black with new chip, better performance and improved usability

16 Sep

Precisely one year ago, GoPro announced the Hero9 Black action camera. Today, GoPro has announced its successor, the Hero10 Black. While GoPro’s latest action camera looks familiar, a new GP2 chip inside results in significantly improved performance.

With its GP2 chip, the Hero10 Black features double the performance frame rates compared to 2020’s Hero9 Black. The increased processing power has other benefits. The Hero10 can upload a video to your phone or the cloud 30 percent faster than the Hero9. The Hero10 can plug directly into your smartphone for even faster uploads through GoPro’s Quik app, something not possible on the Hero9. The Hero9 introduced a front screen, although it was limited by poor framerate. Thanks to the GP2, the front display now runs at 30 frames per second despite being the same display.

Increased processing power gets more out of the 23.6MP image sensor. The Hero9 allowed users to pull 12MP still images from 4K 4:3 video. The Hero10 instead grabs 19.6MP stills from 5.3K 4:3 video. The Hero9 was limited to 5K 16:9 video, where the Hero10 records 5.3K 16:9 video, resulting in an additional megapixel when grabbing stills.

The GP2 chip helps with video framerates as well, which is perhaps the biggest boost offered by the increased processing power. The Hero10 Black records 5.3K/60p, 4K/120p and 2.7K/240p video. The Hero9 recorded 5K/30p, 4K/60p and FHD video at 240 frames per second.

Video is not only higher quality and faster, but it’s also more stable thanks to the inclusion of new HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization software. The GoPro Hero10 includes three levels for its stabilization: off, standard, and boost. Boost results in cropping but promises the most stable footage possible. Standard doesn’t crop but won’t be quite as smooth as the boost setting.

The Hero10 uses the same batteries as the Hero9, but with higher-res video at faster frame rates, it does drain faster, per The Verge. During hands-on time, reviewer Becca Farsace investigated GoPro’s claims of improved tone mapping and noise reduction from the GP2 chip. Farsace found that low-light performance is improved.

While the GoPro Hero10 Black is available now for $ 499 ($ 399 with an annual GoPro subscription), some new features are being added on November 16, including Max lens mod support, additional resolutions, 24fps at all resolutions and GoPro’s SuperView lens at 5.3K at 30, 25 and 24fps. For more information, visit GoPro.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

June 2021 CIPA data: Steady shipments despite chip shortages and COVID-19 resurgences

04 Aug

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has released the production and shipment data of digital cameras and lenses for June 2021.

So far, in 2021, global camera shipments peaked in March, with 830,006 units. Since then, it’s been a steady decline, with June continuing that trend. That said, global camera shipments are still higher than last year for both volume and value. In June 2021 676,803 units valued at 39 billion yen shipped compared to 511,517 units worth 24.5 billion yen in June 2020, increases of 32.3 percent and 60.1 percent, respectively.

If we ignore compact camera sales and look only at interchangeable lens cameras, the numbers are fairly similar. June 2021 saw 442,679 units worth 33 billion yen shipped in June 2021 compared to 326,094 units worth 19.3 billion yen in June 2020, increases of 35.8 percent and 71.2 percent, respectively.

This chart from CIPA shows total digital stills camera shipments in 2019 (purple, circles), 2020 (black, triangles) and 2021 (orange, squares). These numbers include compact cameras with built-in lenses, DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras. Click to enlarge.

This data continues the trend we’ve seen over the past year or two wherein fewer units are being shipped (and eventually sold) than previous years, but the value of those units is higher, meaning the loss in volume for camera manufacturers is at least somewhat being made up for with an increase in revenue per unit. This trend is even more noticeable in the interchangeable lens camera market, where mirrorless cameras showed a 104 percent YoY increase in the value of units shipped in June 2021, despite volume only increasing 58 percent.

This chart from CIPA shows total shipments for cameras with interchangeable lenses in 2019 (purple, circles), 2020 (black, triangles) and 2021 (orange, squares). Click to enlarge.

For comparison, June 2021 saw 191,560 DSLR units worth 7.1 billion yen shipped. Those are YoY increases of 14.6 percent and 7.8 percent respectively. What this shows is that despite more DSLR camera units being shipped globally, the value of those units is steadily decreasing. There could be a few reasons for this discrepancy, but the two most obvious ones are that camera companies are discounting their more expensive DSLR cameras to get rid of inventory ahead of the ongoing transition to mirrorless; the second is that those still buying DSLR cameras are more consumer-oriented customers who are getting entry-level DSLR cameras that retail for much less than prosumer and pro-grade DSLR cameras.

Another facet to take into account is the ongoing chip shortage. Camera and lens manufacturers have come out time and time again to announce delays due to the inability to source the required components, but it’s difficult to judge just how much this is affecting the production and shipment data at this time.

CIPA’s complete June 2021 breakdown, which shows production and shipment data from January, February, March, April, May and June 2021 by camera type and region. Click to enlarge.

As for regional data, it’s a little more difficult to judge how shipment and production data is affecting the industry as a whole. There are geographical areas where COVID-19 and its variants are causing increases in cases and travel restrictions, while other areas have seen life more or less return to ‘normal,’ as obscure as that definition may be.

Whatever the case is, June 2021 continues the trends we’ve seen as of late and once again backs up the statements we’ve seen from various camera and lens manufacturers who’ve state that 2021 will be a year of equilibrium that will very much shape the state of the industry going forward.

You can find a full list of companies participating in CIPA’s data and view all historical data on CIPA’s website. You can find the full June 2021 dataset here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Apple announces new $399 iPhone SE model with 4.7-inch display, A13 chip and Portrait mode

16 Apr

Apple has announced a new version of the iPhone SE, its most affordable iPhone model. The new iPhone SE shares many of the features of the now-discontinued iPhone 8 model, including its glass-backed design and single camera.

Looking first at how the new second-generation iPhone SE compares to the original iPhone SE model, the new model is larger and now includes a 4.7″ HDR-capable Retina HD display rather than the 4″ Retina display of the original. Apple has upgraded its processors numerous times since the original iPhone SE launched with an A9 processor, and the new SE model comes with Apple’s A13 Bionic chip. Apple states that this chip results in 2.4 times faster CPU performance and 4 times faster GPU performance when compared to the A9.

Physically, the iPhone SE is very similar to the iPhone 8’s design. It utilizes a glass and aluminum design and is water-resistant to a depth of a meter for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone SE is 138.4mm (5.45″) tall, 67.3mm (2.65″) wide and has a depth of 7.3mm (0.29″). The phone weighs 148 grams (5.2 ounces).

The True Tone 4.7″ display is LCD and features IPS technology. The resolution is 1334 x 750 pixels at 326 ppi. During typical use, the contrast ratio is 1400:1. The phone can display wide color (P3) and has a maximum brightness of 625 nits.

Despite featuring a single camera, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) includes Apple’s Portrait mode (Night Mode is notably absent). The rear camera is a single 12MP wide camera, the same as the iPhone SE (1st generation), but the new phone has a faster F1.8 aperture compared to F2.2. The F1.8 lens includes six elements and features a sapphire crystal cover. Further, the new model now includes optical image stabilization, True Tone flash with slow sync and next-generation Smart HDR when capturing photos.

The iPhone SE (2nd generation) includes six Portrait Lighting effects. In these sample images, we see the Natural, Contour and Stage Mono effects. Image credits: Apple

The Portrait mode in the new iPhone SE includes advanced bokeh and depth control plus six Portrait Lighting effects: natural, studio, contour, stage, stage mono and high-key mono.

Additional camera features include panorama capture (up to 63MP), wide color capture, Live Photos, red-eye correction, auto stabilization, burst mode, photo geotagging and HEIF format image capture.

For video recording, Apple’s latest iPhone SE model can record 4K video at 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, plus Full HD video 30 fps or 60 fps. The phone can also record with an extended dynamic range for video at up to 30 fps and includes optical image stabilization during recording. Full HD video can be recorded at 120 fps or 240 fps. Users can also record QuickTake video and the phone includes stereo recording. If you want to capture time lapse videos, the iPhone SE can do this as well, including with stabilization. Recording is captured in HEVC and H.264 formats.

The new iPhone SE includes a depth slider when using the Portrait mode. Here we see F1.8 (left) versus F16 (right). Image credit: Apple

The front camera is vastly improved in the 2nd generation iPhone SE. The megapixel count is up to 7MP from 1.2MP and the aperture is slightly faster at F2.2 compared to F2.4. The front camera includes Retina Flash, Auto HDR and can capture Portrait mode images with the same six effects as the rear camera. Further, you can record 1080p video at up to 30 fps using the front-facing camera.

In terms of connectivity, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) is much faster than the older iPhone SE. The phone includes Gigabit-class LTE, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0. The new Touch ID should also be faster with the new model. In line with other recent iPhone models, the revised SE forgoes a headphone jack and includes only a Lightning connector.

Users should expect similar battery life as the iPhone 8. This means that the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery will offer up to 13 hours of video playback and up to 40 hours of audio playback. The iPhone SE is now capable of wireless charging and includes fast charge with an 18W adapter (sold separately).

Image credit: Apple

Despite sharing many similarities with the iPhone 8, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) does have several differences. In terms of processing power, the iPhone 8 utilized an A11 chip rather than the A13 in the new SE. Further, the iPhone 8 did not include Apple’s Portrait mode or Apple’s latest next-generation Smart HDR image capture. Video features are similar between the two phones, but the iPhone 8 did not include extended dynamic range video capture, QuickTake video nor Stereo recording.

The iPhone SE is available in black, white and (PRODUCT)RED colorways. Available storage capacities are 64, 128 and 256GB. Pricing starts at $ 399 USD for the 64GB model and increases to $ 549 for the 256GB model. Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT on April 17 with availability beginning on April 24. For more information, visit Apple’s iPhone SE product page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Canon’s 32MP chip marks the end of the 24MP APS-C era

15 Oct

The 32MP sensor in the EOS 90D not only tells us about Canon’s APS-C future but also puts pressure on other camera makers to move beyond the 24MP Sony Semiconductor chips that have underpinned so many models

If you’ve bought an APS-C camera in the past few years, there’s a reasonable chance it was built around one of the 24MP sensors from Sony Semiconductor. Since the first version arrived, back in the NEX-7 and a77, it’s been at the heart of a series of excellent cameras from Nikon, Pentax, Ricoh, Fujifilm and, of course, Sony itself.

But the arrival of two newer, higher pixel-count sensors, both of which outperform those 24MP chips in meaningful ways, is likely to herald the end of the 24MP era.

The sensor in the NEX-7 expanded on the excellent low noise, high dynamic range performance of the 12 and 16MP CMOS ‘Exmor’ chips but, especially in its later, copper-wired version, helped usher-in the era of 4K video shooting. But time and technology move on, and the impressive results we saw from Canon’s new 32MP sensor move the battle to higher resolutions, which will push other camera makers to demand more from their own suppliers.

Closing the gap

Canon’s own 24MP sensors closed much of the DR gap that had existed between their cameras and the Sony Semi-based ones, but our DR testing of the 90D suggests the disparity is now even smaller. There’s still a visible difference, but it’s getting small enough that it’d only keep you awake at night if you shot two cameras side-by-side.

And offering more

Having all but caught up in this previous area of weakness, the 32MP Canon pulls ahead in other respects: paired with a sharp lens, the new sensor will resolve recognizably more detail than a 24MP camera can. Its high ISO noise performance looks good, too, when compared at a common output size. And that’s without even considering the lower risk of artifacts that Canon’s dual-pixel design offers, compared with other on-sensor PDAF implementations.

Even scrutinized at 1:1 level (which isn’t necessarily the most natural use of 32MP), the 90D’s sensor can produce impressive amounts of detail.

Canon 90D | 16-35mm F2.8L II | ISO 100 | F5.6 | 1/640 sec
Photo: Dan Bracaglia

4K keeps rolling

We were rather less impressed with the Canon chip when it comes to video. Its full-width output is noticeably less detailed than most of its contemporaries. Some of this may be down to overly conservative sharpening and a desire to avoid aliasing, but the resolution capture appears to be lower even when compared with cameras natively sampling a 3840 x 2160 pixel region, let alone the results from a chip that oversamples.

But this chink in Canon’s armor doesn’t leave room for the 24MP chip to strike back. Because, even in its faster, copper-wired iteration, the Sony Semiconductor sensor is starting to show its age. Rolling shutter is visible (often to an unpleasant degree) on many of the cameras that try to pull 4K from these 24MP sensors. However, it’s not just the Canon chip that they have to now compete with.

The 26MP sensor in Fujifilm’s X-T3 not only delivers 4K 60p, for those who need it, but it also delivers detailed 4K 30p with impressively low rolling shutter rates.

For video, the best APS-C chip on the market is arguably the 26MP chip in Fujifilm’s X-T3 and X-T30 model. These are almost certainly Sony Semiconductor products, too, capable of much less jello-prone oversampled 4K and even 4K/60p if you can live with a bit of a crop.

In some parallel universe, it would be the 4K-capable 28MP chip from Samsung’s NX1 that we’d be recognizing here. Sadly its low sales and Samsung’s withdrawal from the market meant the 24MP era lasted rather longer

With the 24MP sensors looking outdated in terms of both stills and video performance, it’s likely we’ll see more cameras moving to these newer, higher resolution sensors. Despite what you may have heard, the ‘megapixel race’ is far from over. And new cameras will be all the better for it.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Google finally activates ‘Visual Core’ imaging chip inside Pixel 2 smartphone

29 Nov

The finalized version of Google’s Android 8.1 operating system is expected to be released in December, but today the company has announced the availability of the last Developer Preview which, among other things, activates the formerly dormant Visual Core chipset in the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones.

The custom-built system-on-a-chip (SOC) is designed to power and accelerate the Pixel 2 phones’ HDR+ function that achieves better dynamic range and reduced noise levels through computational imaging. The feature is already incredibly powerful, so we can’t wait to see how it gets even better with this additional hardware boost applied.

HDR+ photo captured with the Pixel 2 for our Sample Gallery. Credit: Allison Johnson

The latest Pixel smartphone generation comes with the chip built in, but it appears Google ran out of time before the Pixel 2 launch to fully optimize Visual Core implementation in the device, and therefore decided to not activate it. With the new software version, Visual Core can can now be turned on through an option in the Developer menu.

In addition to souping up the Pixel 2’s native camera app, this update also allows third-party apps using Android Camera API to capture HDR+ shots. Previously, this function has been exclusive to the Google Camera app.

There is a wide selection of third-party apps for all types of mobile photographers available in the Google Play Store. It’s no doubt a positive move by Google to make the capability of using HDR+ available to all of them. To install the Android Developer Preview, your Pixel 2 device needs to be registered in the Android Beta Program. Or you could just wait for the official Android 8.1 launch in December.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Battered: 15 Closed And Abandoned Fish & Chip Shops

04 Jun

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

Fish & Chips are famed the world over as THE quintessential English food so why are there so many closed and abandoned “Chippies” in their home country?

American fish & chip shops have suffered a decline as well, especially fast food seafood restaurant chains like Arthur Treacher’s and H. Salt Esquire – both the chains and the affordable stocks of cod that sustained them are pale shadows of what they used to be. Family-run chippies linger on, however, though the once-charming Porto Restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland’s seaside Portobello neighborhood is no longer them. Flickr users Dave Sinclair and Fabio Menna snapped the shop in long-abandoned and newly-abandoned states, respectively.

Dog’s Breakfast

One would hope “Helen” was able to retire from retail fish-frying with a modicum of grace when her self-titled chippie in Maidstone (a suburb of Melbourne) went belly-up. Then again, maybe Australians just aren’t that into fish & chips, what with all that “throw another shrimp on the barbie” stuff. Flickr user Warren Kirk (Westographer) captured the closed, abandoned, boarded-up and unlamented (save for a disappointed-looking dog) “Helen’s Fish ~ Chips” on a sunny December morning in 2011.

Parson’s Nose Best

As if a chippie on the High Street wasn’t Brit enough, the owners named the place “The New Parson’s Nose”… wonder what happened to the OLD one? Regardless, the sign on the window states the shop is “closed for refurbishment” and you know what that means: it’s gone like last night’s last pint of ale. Kudos to Flickr user leon S-D (littleweed1950) who snapped this pub-like former fish & chips shop in June of 2016.

Taken Away

“Over the last 40 years or so (in Australia at least) the traditional old style strip of shops in the suburbs has come under pressure from large shopping malls,” states urbex blogger David Taylor. Just wait, Dave, those large shopping malls have begun to feel a similar sort of pressure from online retailers. There’s nothing like the unique ambiance and the sit-sown dining experience of a classic Chippie, mind you. Taylor snapped the above faded Seafood Take Away in Mt Gravatt, a suburb of Brisbane.

Over, The Rainbow

Fish & Chips, Burgers, Southern Fried Chicken and so much more… how could Rainbow Spicy Kebabs, snapped in the summer of 2013 by Flickr user Robby Virus, possibly go under? Well, they COULD have prepared all of those things poorly, for one thing. It just goes to show you, a prime location in the heart of London offers no guarantee your fish & chips (& more) shop will achieve lasting success. Also, rainbows aren’t colored that way. Just sayin’.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Battered 15 Closed And Abandoned Fish Chip Shops

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]

WebUrbanist

Comments Off

Posted in Creativity

Sony’s sensor roadmap includes a 150MP medium-format chip for 2018

04 Apr

The Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, the Sony division that is responsible for design and manufacturing of the Japanese company’s image sensors, has published its image sensor roadmap up to 2018 and the document includes some rather exciting news for medium-format photographers.

Sony’s plans include the launch of 100MP 44 x 33mm and 150MP 55 x 41mm medium-format sensors in 2018. Both sensors will be backside-Illuminated. The former is the same format as sensors currently used in the Fuji GFX or Hasselblad X1D, and the latter would fit into the Phase One 100XF. The roadmap also includes a 150MP 55 x 41mm monochrome BSI sensor to be launched in 2018.

According to Sony the new sensors will allow for a much higher degree of cropping or image magnification than with current sensor types. Potential applications are not limited to conventional photography but also include aerial photography, large area surveillance and inspection applications in manufacturing and industry. The full document is available on the Sony Semiconductor website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Sensor innovations push global shutter chip capabilities

21 Dec

Engineers with Tohoku University have detailed a new project in which a CMOS sensor with a global shutter is able to record ultra-high-speed footage without the constraints of existing technology, namely short-duration recording and low resolutions. The end result is a CMOS sensor capable of recording one million frames-per-second over a ‘large’ duration of time, relatively speaking (480 micro-seconds in this case), at full resolution.

By re-designing the sensor’s memory bank, researchers have tested a 96 x 128 pixel array with global shutter at 480 frames. The design is intended to be tiled on a sensor with 1MP resolution – clearly not enough for consumer photography, but great for engineering applications.

Don’t feel left out though, consumer photography and videography may also see benefits from this kind of technology – Canon also reported progress on its research of global shutter sensors. Canon’s technology similarly uses memory in an innovative way: by assigning each pixel its own memory cell. While Tohoku University’s research is concerned with ultra high speeds, Canon is looking for ways to improve the dynamic range of global shutter sensors. The company has tested a 10MP sensor at 30 fps – take a look at the results below.

Global shutter chips typically offer poor dynamic range. To improve DR, Canon has increased the number of ‘accumulations’ per frame, or the number of times each pixel deposits electrons to its associated memory cell. Image supplied by Canon

Via: IEEE Spectrum

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Scratching the Surface: Expressive Portraits Chip Away at City Walls

08 Sep

[ By SA Rogers in Art & Street Art & Graffiti. ]

vhils scratched mural 10

Set in neglected parts of the city, scratched into deteriorating surfaces, expressive portraits loom large, often created with nothing more than a chisel. Alexandre Farto, better known as Vhils, creates art through destruction in a process some might consider vandalism – but this is street art, so what else is new? Vhils first caught the public eye when one of his portraits appeared beside a work by Banksy at London’s Cans Festival in 2008, and since then, he’s been taking his work to the next level.

vhils scratched mural 1

vhils scratched mural 2

The portraits splash the faces of anonymous city residents onto concrete, brick, plaster and other surfaces on buildings and walls throughout the world, particularly in the artist’s home city of Lisbon, Portugal. Nobody else is creating large-scale urban artwork quite like this.

vhils scratched mural 5

The process literally cuts through the outermost layers of wall surface, often utilizing scraps of faded billboards to provide contrast with the rougher surfaces hidden underneath. Sometimes, a little bit of paint is strategically used to highlight the image. Some of the works are even applied on top of much older murals completed way back in the ‘70s and ‘80s after the Carnation Revolution, as if the remains of the older ones are fertilizing new growth.

vhils scratched mural 6

vhils scratched mural 7

“As a kid, I remember seeing how these murals would peel,” says Vhils in an interview with The Atlantic. “I started thinking about how my work could use the layers of the past to reflect the city, to show people living in it and how their identity was lost, or forgotten. I started to paint these billboards white, then carve away the negative spaces. It’s not illegal, because that sort of advertising was illegal already. Carving these walls, peeling away these layers, it’s like contemporary archaeology.”

vhils scratched mural 9

vhils scratched mural 8

Vhils divides the images into three colors to create a three-dimensional effect, scratching out the darkest parts of the portraits and highlighting the lightest. Electric drills and chisels make the process easier on hard walls, and in one extreme example, the artist even used explosives to break away some of the plaster, capturing the process for a music video called M.I.R.I.A.M. Follow Vhils on Instagram to catch his latest works.

[ By SA Rogers in Art & Street Art & Graffiti. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]

WebUrbanist

Comments Off

Posted in Creativity

Chip Off The Old Block

24 Oct

A little boy mans a camera with a Canon 800mm f/5.6 lens

Last weekend I took my son to the top of Twin Peaks in San Francisco, California to watch the rising Hunter’s Moon. Being 3 years old I expected him to be excited about seeing the moon after all he was wearing NASA boots, but his enthusiasm for taking pictures quickly took over. To warm up before the moonrise we took photos together of the western span of the Bay Bridge. After that we huddled to keep warm and watched the moon rise taking in the details on the live view display of my camera. We weren’t out to take award winning photos, but we sure had fun. Then again now that I think about it, perhaps if a 3 year old class of nature photography exists a photo submission might be worth while. Nah!!!!

Chip Off The Old Block

The post Chip Off The Old Block appeared first on JMG-Galleries – Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography.