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Posts Tagged ‘Pixel’

Google shares a deep dive into its new HDR+ with Bracketing technology found in its latest Pixel devices

26 Apr

Google has shared an article on its AI Blog that dives into the intricacies of the HDR capabilities of its most recent Pixel devices. In it, Google explains how its HDR+ with Bracketing technology works to capture the best image quality possible through clever capture and computational editing techniques.

To kick off the article, Google explains how its new ‘under the hood’ HDR+ with Bracketing technology — first launched on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 back in October — ‘works by merging images taken with different exposure times to improve image quality (especially in shadows), resulting in more natural colors, improved details and texture, and reduced noise.’

Using bursts to improve image quality. HDR+ starts from a burst of full-resolution raw images (left). Depending on conditions, between 2 and 15 images are aligned and merged into a computational raw image (middle). The merged image has reduced noise and increased dynamic range, leading to a higher quality final result (right). Caption and image via Google.

Before diving into how the behind-the-scenes work is done to capture the HDR+ with Bracketing images, Google explains why high dynamic range (HDR) scenes are difficult to capture, particularly on mobile devices. ‘Because of the physical constraints of image sensors combined with limited signal in the shadows […] We can correctly expose either the shadows or the highlights, but not both at the same time.’

Left: The result of merging 12 short-exposure frames in Night Sight mode. Right: A single frame whose exposure time is 12 times longer than an individual short exposure. The longer exposure has significantly less noise in the shadows but sacrifices the highlights. Caption and image via Google.

Google says one way to combat this is to capture two different exposures and combine them — something ‘Photographers sometimes [do to] work around these limitations.’ While this works fairly well with cameras with larger sensors and more capable processors inside tablets and laptops to merge the images, Google says it’s a challenge to do on mobile devices because it requires ‘Capturing additional long exposure frames while maintaining the fast, predictable capture experience of the Pixel camera’ and ‘Taking advantage of long exposure frames while avoiding ghosting artifacts caused by motion between frames.’

Google was able to mitigate these issues with its original HDR+ technology through prioritizing the highlights in an image and using burst photography to reduce noise in the shadows. Google explains the HDR+ method ‘works well for scenes with moderate dynamic range, but breaks down for HDR scenes.’ As for why, Google breaks down the two different types of noise that get into an image when capturing bursts of photos: shot noise and read noise.

Google explains the differences in detail:

‘One important type of noise is called shot noise, which depends only on the total amount of light captured — the sum of N frames, each with E seconds of exposure time has the same amount of shot noise as a single frame exposed for N × E seconds. If this were the only type of noise present in captured images, burst photography would be as efficient as taking longer exposures. Unfortunately, a second type of noise, read noise, is introduced by the sensor every time a frame is captured. Read noise doesn’t depend on the amount of light captured but instead depends on the number of frames taken — that is, with each frame taken, an additional fixed amount of read noise is added.’

Left: The result of merging 12 short-exposure frames in Night Sight mode. Right: A single frame whose exposure time is 12 times longer than an individual short exposure. The longer exposure has significantly less noise in the shadows but sacrifices the highlights. Caption and image via Google.

As visible in the above image, Google highlights ‘why using burst photography to reduce total noise isn’t as efficient as simply taking longer exposures: taking multiple frames can reduce the effect of shot noise, but will also increase read noise.’

To address this shortcoming, Google explains how it’s managed to use a ‘concentrated effort’ to make the most of recent ‘incremental improvements’ in exposure bracketing to combined the burst photography component of HDR+ with the more traditional HDR method of exposure bracketing to get the best result possible in extreme high dynamic range scenes:

‘To start, adding bracketing to HDR+ required redesigning the capture strategy. Capturing is complicated by zero shutter lag (ZSL), which underpins the fast capture experience on Pixel. With ZSL, the frames displayed in the viewfinder before the shutter press are the frames we use for HDR+ burst merging. For bracketing, we capture an additional long exposure frame after the shutter press, which is not shown in the viewfinder. Note that holding the camera still for half a second after the shutter press to accommodate the long exposure can help improve image quality, even with a typical amount of handshake.’

Google explains how its Night Sight technology has also been improved through the use of its advanced bracketing technology. As visible in the illustration below, the original Night Sight mode captured 15 short exposure frames, which it merged to create the final image. Now, Night Sight with bracketing will capture 12 short and 3 long exposures before merging them, resulting in greater detail in the shadows.

Capture strategy for Night Sight. Top: The original Night Sight captured 15 short exposure frames. Bottom: Night Sight with bracketing captures 12 short and 3 long exposures. Caption and image via Google.

As for the merging process, Google says its technology chooses ‘one of the short frames as the reference frame to avoid potentially clipped highlights and motion blur.’ The remaining frames are then aligned with the reference frame before being merged.

To reduce ghosting artifacts caused by motion, Google says it’s designed a new spatial merge algorithm, similar to that used in its Super Res Zoom technology, ‘that decides per pixel whether image content should be merged or not.’ Unlike Super Res Zoom though, this new algorithm faces additional challenges due to the long exposure shots, which are more difficult to align with the reference frame due to blown out highlights, motion blur and different noise characteristics.

Left: Ghosting artifacts are visible around the silhouette of a moving person, when deghosting is disabled. Right: Robust merging produces a clean image. Caption and image via Google.

Google is confident it’s been able to overcome those challenges though, all while merging images even faster than before:

‘Despite those challenges, our algorithm is as robust to these issues as the original HDR+ and Super Res Zoom and doesn’t produce ghosting artifacts. At the same time, it merges images 40% faster than its predecessors. Because it merges RAW images early in the photographic pipeline, we were able to achieve all of those benefits while keeping the rest of processing and the signature HDR+ look unchanged. Furthermore, users who prefer to use computational RAW images can take advantage of those image quality and performance improvements.’

All of this is done behind the scenes without any need for the user to change settings. Google notes ‘depending on the dynamic range of the scene, and the presence of motion, HDR+ with bracketing chooses the best exposures to maximize image quality.’

Google’s HDR+ with Bracketing technology is found on its Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 devices with the default camera app, Night Sight and Portrait modes. Pixel 4 and 4a devices also have it, but it’s limited to Night Sight mode. It’s also safe to assume this and further improvements will be available on Pixel devices going forward.

You can read Google’s entire blog post in detail on its AI blog at the link below:

HDR+ with Bracketing on Pixel Phones

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google unveils its budget-friendly Pixel 4a 5G and flagship Pixel 5 smartphones

01 Oct

Today, at its ‘Launch Night In’ event, Google unveiled the details of its new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 devices.

Pixel 4a 5G

The Pixel 4a 5G is, as its name suggests, a 5G variant of the budget-friendly phone released last autumn. But it’s not just an improved cellular modem that’s been added to the 5G variant.

The Pixel 4A now has a larger OLED screen — 6.2” over the 5.8” on the 4a — as well as a slightly faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor (compared to the 730g found in the 4a). All of these upgrades together have increased the starting price of the 5G variant to $ 499, $ 150 more expensive than the base Pixel 4a at launch.

Pixel 5

Compared to the improvements the Pixel 4 brought over the Pixel 3, the Pixel 5 feels like a much smaller update. While the specifications haven’t improved dramatically, Google has added a number of new and improved features, particularly in regards to the camera software.

Starting with internals, the Pixel 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with an X52 5G modem that supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. This is a bit of an interesting move as more flagship devices are beginning to use the Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus, but using a slightly older chipset means the price of the Pixel can keep it below more top-tier Android devices.

The Pixel 5 features 8GB of RAM, starts with 128GB of internal storage, uses a 4080mAh battery. Other notable details include reverse wireless charging, IPX8 water-resistance and the newest version of Corning Gorilla Glass.

The 6” screen is a 2340 x 1080 OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Although it retains the 8MP hole-punch front-facing camera, the lack of the Motion Sense array means the screen now stretches the full width of the device.

As for cameras, the Pixel 5 has an optically-stabilized 12.2MP main camera with a 77-degree field-of-view (FOV) as well as a 16MP ultrawide that covers a 107-degree FOV. To make the most of the humble hardware, Google is, as it has for years, relying on its software to get the best image quality possible.

New shooting modes include the inclusion of a Night Sight Portrait mode, improved HDR+ capture and a new AI-powered Portrait Lighting mode that will automatically adjust the lighting on subjects captured in Portrait mode. Also new are three new image stabilization modes: Locked, Active and Cinematic Pan. The new Cinematic Pan setting is designed specifically for capturing gimbal-like footage, complete with slow-motion capture.

The Pixel 5 will be available on October 15 through Google Fi, Verizon and unlocked starting at $ 699 for the 128GB version — a $ 100 drop from the $ 799 the Pixel 4 retailed for at launch. AT&T will also offer the Pixel 5 later this autumn. Pre-orders are available starting today.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Russell Kirsch, inventor of the pixel, dies in his Portland home at age 91

14 Aug

Computer scientist Russell Kirsch, best known for inventing the pixel, passed away August 11 at his home in Portland, Oregon. He was 91-years-old.

Kirsch, who was of Jewish descent and the son of immigrants from Russia and Hungary, was born to in Manhattan, New York City, in 1929. It was there in New York City he would go on to graduate in 1946 from the Bronx High School of Science before heading off to New York University in 1950, followed by Harvard University in 1952 and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In 1951, While still in school, Kirsch joined the National Bureau of Standards as a member of the Standards Eastern Automatic Computer (SEAC) team, which was in charge of handling the U.S.’s first programmable computer, which was created just a year prior.

This image measured just 179 pixels by 179 pixels for a total of 32,041 pixels.

It was in 1957 though that Kirsch would forever make his mark on the world when he, alongside a team of researchers, developed a small 5cm by 5cm digital image scanner for the SEAC that went on to capture the first digital images, including a now-iconic image of Kirsch’s three-month-old son, Walden.

As explained in this archived post from the National Institute of Standards and Technology Museum, ‘the scanner used a rotating drum and a photomultiplier to sense reflections from a small image mounted on the drum […] a mask interposed between the picture and the photomultiplier tessellated the image into discrete pixels.’ Initially, the images were binary, capturing only black or white, but Kirsch and his team discovered that by scanning the image multiple times at different thresholds they could create a grayscale image by stacking multiple scans.

This technology allowed Kirsch and his team to develop algorithms that laid the foundations for image processing and image pattern recognition. Kirsch’s invention also helped NASA with its earliest space explorations, including the Apollo Moon landings, and paved the way for future imaging technologies, such as satellite imagery and Sir Godfrey Hounsfield’s CAT scan.

Even after Kirsch retired in 2001, he never stopped improving upon his inventions. As detailed in a 2010 WIRED article, Kirsch also sought to rid the world of square pixels, a design decision that has shaped the world of technology since its discovery in 1957. In speaking with WIRED, Kirsch said ‘Square [pixels] was the logical thing to do [but] of course, the logical thing was not the only possibility […] It was something very foolish that everyone in the world has been suffering from ever since.” And rather than ‘just complaining about what [he] did,’ Kirsch decided ‘to do something about it.’

Kirsch’s variable-shaped pixel technology smooths out pixellated images by eschewing square pixels for more organic shapes.

The program Kirsch had developed at the time of the WIRED article analyzes a square-pixel images and attempts to rid them of obvious pixellation through clever masking. WIRED details the process here:

‘Kirsch’s method assesses a square-pixel picture with masks that are 6 by 6 pixels each and looks for the best way to divide this larger pixel cleanly into two areas of the greatest contrast. The program tries two different masks over each area — in one, a seam divides the mask into two rough triangles, and in the other a seam creates two rough rectangles. Each mask is then rotated until the program finds the configuration that splits the 6-by-6 area into sections that contrast the most. Then, similar pixels on either side of the seam are fused.’

Kirsch also talks about the variable-shaped pixel technology in the following video from 2011:

Kirsch passed away in his Portland, Oregon home from a form of Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 65 years, his children Walden, Peter, Lindsey and Kara, and his four grandchildren. You can read his obituary and sign the guest book on the Legacy tribute page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon releases EOS R5 with 45MP sensor, 8K video capture and next-gen Dual Pixel AF

12 Jul

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We’ve known that the EOS R5 has been coming for a while, and today Canon has made it official. The R5’s most notable features – its sensor, in-body IS system and 8K video capture – demonstrate that Canon isn’t trying to make just another mirrorless camera: the company is trying to evolve it.

The R5 uses an all-new, Canon-designed 45MP full-frame sensor, along with the DIGIC X processor found on the EOS-1D X III. This combination allows for the fast readout and data processing horsepower required to pull off many of the R5’s standout features.

The R5 uses an all-new, Canon-designed 45MP full-frame sensor, along with the DIGIC X processor found on the EOS-1D X III

The SLR-style design features a large electronic viewfinder with 0.76x magnification and 5.76 million dots, as well as a fully articulating 2.1M-dot LCD. The M-Fn bar from the EOS R is gone, replaced instead with a conventional joystick and AF-On button. Build quality is similar to that of the EOS 5D IV, meaning that it’s rugged and weather-sealed, though not to 1D standards. The camera has a USB Type C socket (with 3.1 Gen2 speeds) along with CFexpress and SD card slots.

Some of the highlights of the R5 include its in-body image stabilizer, which can reduce shake by up to eight stops when paired with some RF lenses. The camera uses Canon’s second generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which offers 100% coverage and 1053 auto-selectable points. Using deep learning, the camera is able to acquire and track both people and animals.

It can capture 8K/30p video for up to 30 minutes, with your choice of Raw or H.265 output

The R5 can shoot bursts at 20 fps with continuous focus using electronic shutter and 12 fps with its mechanical shutter. Buffer memory is plentiful, especially if you’re using a CFexpress card. The camera can shoot 10-bit HEIF images in addition to Raw and JPEG.

The R5’s video specs are, well, stunning. It can capture 8K/30p video for up to 30 minutes, with your choice of Raw or H.265 output. If that’s too much for you, it also captures 4K/120p footage or it can output its 8K footage as oversampled 4K/30p. The camera can internally record 10-bit 4:2:2 footage using C-Log or HDR PQ. As one would expect, both mic and headphone jacks are available.

The EOS R5 has dual-band (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) Wi-Fi built-in, along with Bluetooth. The camera can transfer images over FTP/SFTP as they are taken.

Battery life is rated at 320 shots/charge using the LCD and 220 shots with the EVF running at 120 fps (using the default rate of 60 fps gives you 330 shots). If you need more battery life, the $ 349 BG-R10 grip will double those numbers. There’s also a Wireless File Transmitter grip, which adds an Ethernet jack and enhanced multi-camera linked shooting. It’s priced at $ 999.

The EOS R5 will be ship in late July for $ 3899 body-only and $ 4999 bundled with the RF 24-105mm F4L lens.

Read our first impressions of the camera in our Canon EOS R5 initial review

Take a closer look in our Canon EOS R5 hands-on

Press release

THE SECRET IS OUT: CANON OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES THE CANON EOS R5 AND R6, THE COMPANY’S MOST ADVANCED FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERAS EVER

The Company is Also Announcing Four RF Lenses, Two RF Lens Extenders, and a PRO Printer

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 9, 2020 – With anticipation at a fever pitch, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to introduce the company’s next generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras – the EOS R5 and EOS R6. These groundbreaking cameras are the result of many years of collecting and listening to feedback from Canon users and are sure to meet the needs and demands of a variety of creators. The EOS R5 is a camera designed for professional applications featuring a new 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and uncropped 8K video recording up to 29.97 fps. The EOS R6 is geared towards advanced amateurs featuring a 20.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and 4K video recording up to 59.94 fps. The addition of the EOS R5 and the EOS R6 cameras within the EOS R series lineup further solidifies Canon’s commitment to providing the equipment needed for users to bring their content to the next level.

Canon is also introducing four RF lenses and two RF lens extenders: The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, Canon RF600mm F11 IS STM, Canon RF800mm F11 IS STM, and RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM lenses. All four new lenses were designed to meet the ever-expanding demands of the skilled creatives who capture amazing imagery using EOS R series cameras, including the new EOS R5 and EOS R6. In addition to the lenses, there are two new RF lens extenders, a 1.4x and a 2x model, allowing for users to take their compatible RF lens focal lengths even farther, and a 13-inch professional printer, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, to bring photos to life through the power of print.

“For all of the Canon research and development team members who worked tirelessly on the production of these new products, today marks the culmination of a long journey. For those people looking for the next great tools to work with to expand their creative possibilities, the door is now wide open,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “The industry has asked for new products that can push their levels of creativity to new heights, and we are confident that the EOS R5 and EOS R6, alongside the new lenses, lens extenders, and the pro printer, will fulfill those needs and more.”

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6
Both the EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras have the ability to capture the action of a variety of fast-moving subjects with impressive accuracy and speed. When using the mechanical shutter, each can shoot up to 12 fps and up to 20 fps when using the completely silent shutter. Both cameras are the first to be outfitted with Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II which utilizes up to approximately100 percent coverage of the AF area and EOS iTR AF X incorporating AF tracking algorithms using deep learning technology and enhanced readout speed of the CMOS sensor and processing speed thanks to the DIGIC X image processor. The 1,053 automatically selected AF Zones are made even more potent by the ability to detect the human eye, face or head as well as the eye, face or body of animals such as dogs, cats and even birds. Adding to the feature set is the 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilizer, having coordinated control with Optical Image Stabilizer in IS equipped RF lenses. This provides up to 8 stops of shake correction, a feature that many creators have long asked for from Canon. Both the EOS R5 and R6 cameras come with a new LP-E6NH battery with a higher capacity than the previous model.

As the new flagship model in the EOS R series lineup, the EOS R5 camera has features that pack a punch for a variety of users who create both still and video content. It has a powerful 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and is driven by the speedy DIGIC X image processor, giving wide dynamic range as well as boasting an ISO range of 100-51,200 that is expandable up to 102,400. In a camera full of eye-popping features, one that really stands out is the ability to record uncropped 8K RAW internal video recording up to 29.97 fps and 8K internal video recording up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). The camera can also record 4K internal video recording up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). External recording in 4K is also available up to 59.94 fps. When in DCI modes, the 8K and 4K video recording is uncropped and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is available in all 8K and 4K recording modes. Additional features of the EOS R5 camera include:

  • Dual-card slots: 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II
  • Built-in 0.5-inch OLED EVF with approximately 5.76 million dots and a 119.88 fps refresh rate
  • 3.2-inch 2.1 million dots vari-angle LCD touch screen
  • 5GHz/2.4GHz Built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth Technology with the ability to utilize the image.canon application, as well as optional WFT-R10A wireless file transmitter with Ethernet support
  • Enhanced operating controls such as rear-dial, multi-controller • The ability to voice tag photos and videos
  • Weather, drip and dust sealing on par with the EOS 5D series

The EOS R6 camera is well-equipped with a host of new features to push the limits of creativity for imaging enthusiasts. The combination of the EOS-1D X Mark III based 20.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and the DIGIC X image processor produces an ISO range of 100-102,400 and is expandable to 204,800. Internal video recording at 4K is capable up to 59.94 fps or 1080p up to 119.88 fps in 10 bit 4:2:2 Canon Log(H.265) or HDR PQ(H.265). The camera also features a built-in 0.5-inch OLED EVF with approximately 3.69 million dots and a 119.88 fps refresh ratevi. Additional features of the EOS R6 camera include:

  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots
  • 3-inch 1.62 million dots vari-angle LCD touch screen
  • 2.4GHz Built-in Wi-Fi®vii and Bluetooth Technologyviii with the ability to utilize the image.canon application
  • Enhanced operating controls such as rear-dial, multi-controller
  • Weather, drip and dust sealing on par with the EOS 6D series

Battery Accessory
The optional BG-R10 battery grip accessory will be available for both the EOS R5 and EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras. The BG-R10 accommodates up to two batteries and is compatible with the new LP-E6NH, LP-E6N and LP-E6 batteries. The convenient BG-R10 grip accessory can also improve handling for users while capturing portrait photography.

Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a high-performance and versatile super-telephoto zoom lens that will find its way into the bags of many photographers. The compact and lightweight lens features optical image stabilization of up to five stops* of shake correction with three different IS modes, including standard, panning and during exposure only. Two Nano USM motors are at the heart of this lens and provide users with high-speed, smooth and quiet auto focus with a minimum focusing distance of three feet. Additional features of the Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM include:

  • Rotation-Type zoom ring and torque adjustment allows for precision control and feel
  • Customizable control ring that enables photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Canon L-Series grade dust and weather-resistant construction with a fluorine coating
  • Lens hood with side window allows specialty filters to be adjusted even while Lens Hood is attached
  • Compatible with the new 1.4x and 2x RF lens extenders (from 300 to 500mm focal length)

Canon RF600mm and 800mm F11 IS STM
The Canon RF600mm and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses are the first fixed focal length super-telephoto RF lenses and are incredibly compact and lightweight. The portability of the new lenses is made even greater due to the ability for the lens barrel to retract and lock in place when the lenses are stowed away and not in use. Diffractive Optics technology helps to reduce the necessary number of lenses and greatly diminish the cost of the lenses, making them affordable for a broader group of photographers. Additional features of the Canon RF600mm and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses include:

  • Lightweight – the RF600mm weighs approximately 2.05lb and the RF800mm weighs approximately 2.78lb, respectively
  • Compact size, RF600mm measures approximately 7.85inch and RF800mm with measures approximately 11.09inch when retracted, respectively
  • Fixed f/11 aperture
  • Optical image stabilization of five stops* for the RF600mm and four stops* for the RF800mm of Shake Correction
  • Lead screw-type STM enables smooth auto focusing for still-image and video shooting
  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Compatible with the new 1.4x and 2x RF lens extenders

Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
The third RF85mm lens in the RF lineup, the Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM is compact and lightweight, featuring a bright f/2 aperture helping to capture images that have exceptional bokeh. The lens features a maximum magnification of 0.5x and a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet, providing users with macro-photography capability. Additional features of the Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM include:

  • Optical Image Stabilization with up to five stops* of Shake Correction
  • Hybrid IS compensates for angular and shift camera shake during macro photography
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes.
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Nine blade Circular Aperture

RF Lens Extenders
Lens extenders have long been a practical and useful tool for a variety of photographers. That story continues with the introduction of the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. The new lens extenders inherit the same high image quality, precision AF and reliability, such as being drip and dustproof, of EF lens extenders. When used in combination with the newly-released compatible lenses, the capturing range can be dramatically increased, providing consumers with additional use cases for their existing RF lenses.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Completing the lineup of professional printer options from 13 inches through 60 inches, Canon also unveiled today the new 13-inch Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Inkjet Printer along with a new Premium Fine Art Rough paper. Providing an improved workflow and high-quality output within a smaller footprint compared to previous models, this new printer excels at professional printing performance. Combined with the new Premium Fine Art Rough paper that features a textured surface to express the depth of an image, the printer along with the paper and new EOS R5 or EOS R6 camera introduces a new powerhouse professional imaging trio that meets creators’ demands.

Pricing and Availability
The EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 3899.00 for the body only and $ 4999.00 for the R5 and RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens kit**.

The EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available at the end of August for an estimated retail price of $ 2499.00 for the body only, $ 2.899.00 for the R6 and RF 24-105 F4-7.1 IS STM lens kit or $ 3,599.00 for the R6 and RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens kit**.

The BG-R10 battery grip accessory and WFT-R10A are both scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 349.99 and $ 999.99**, respectively.

The RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is scheduled to be available in September 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 2,699.00. The RF600mm F11 IS STM and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses are scheduled to be available at the end of July 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 699.99 and $ 899.99, respectively. The RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM lens is scheduled to be available in October 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 599.99 **.

The RF Extender 1.4x and 2x are scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 499.99 and $ 599.99** each.

The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Printer will be available later in July for a suggested retail price of $ 899.99. Premium Fine Art Rough paper will also be available later in July for a suggested retail price of $ 44.99 for Letter size, $ 109.99 for 13” x 19” inches and $ 169.99, 17” x 22” inches**.

For more information please visit, www.usa.canon.com/virtualproductlaunch

** Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

Canon EOS R5 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 3899 (body only), $ 4999 (w/24-105mm F4 lens)
Body type
Body type SLR-style mirrorless
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 8192 x 5464
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 45 megapixels
Sensor size Full frame (36 x 24 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Digic X
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Yes, 100-51200 (expands to 102400)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 50
Boosted ISO (maximum) 102400
White balance presets 8
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction
CIPA image stabilization rating 8 stop(s)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (Canon CR3)
  • HEIF (10-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 1053
Lens mount Canon RF
Focal length multiplier 1×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2″
Screen dots 2,100,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76×
Viewfinder resolution 5,760,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/8000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes
Flash X sync speed 1/200 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • High-speed Continuous
  • Low-speed Continuous
Continuous drive 20.0 fps
Self-timer Yes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
  • Partial
Exposure compensation 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Modes
  • 8192 x 4320 @ 30p / 1,300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 8192 x 4320 @ 24p / 1,300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 8192 x 4320 @ 23.98p / 1,300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 7680 x 4320 @ 30p / 1,300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p / 1,300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 120p / 1,880 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 940 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 1,880 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 940 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 470 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types CFexpress and SD (UHS-II) slots
Connectivity
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
USB charging Yes
HDMI Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port Yes
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth
Remote control Yes
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320
Weight (inc. batteries) 738 g (1.63 lb / 26.03 oz)
Dimensions 138 x 98 x 88 mm (5.43 x 3.84 x 3.46″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Mr. Pixel and Mrs. Grain

09 Jun

From “The Figital Revolution”

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Lead engineer for computational imaging on Pixel devices leaves Google

14 May

According to a report by industry publication The Information, two key executives in Google’s Pixel team left the company earlier this year. One of them is the former General Manager of the Pixel Smartphones Business Unit, Mario Queiroz. According to his Linkedin profile, he left Google at the end of January to take on the role of Executive Vice President at data security company Palo Alto Networks.

A few months earlier, and two months before the launch of the Pixel 4 devices in October 2019, he had already moved internally from the Pixel team into a role that directly reported to Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

From an imaging point of view, the second executive leaving the Pixel team and company is more interesting, though: Marc Levoy has been a Computer Science professor at Stanford University since 1990 and since 2014, in his role as Distinguished Engineer at Google, had been leading the Pixel team that developed computational photography technologies for Pixel smartphones, including HDR+, Portrait Mode, and Night Sight.

Since its inception the Pixel smartphones series had excelled in the camera department, receiving positive camera reviews across the board. With the Pixel phones using very similar camera hardware to its direct rivals, a lot of the Pixel’s camera success could likely be attributed to the innovative imaging software features mentioned above.

However, things look slightly different for the latest Pixel 4 generation that was launched in October 2019. While many of the software features and functions were updated and improved, the camera hardware looks a little old next to the top-end competition. Companies like Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi offer larger sensors with higher resolutions and longer tele lenses, and combine those hardware features with computational imaging methods, achieving excellent results. The Pixel 4 is also one of very few high-end phones to not feature a dedicated ultra-wide camera.

The Pixel 4 camera is still excellent in many situations but it’s hard to argue that Google has, at least do a degree, lost the leadership role in mobile imaging that it had established with previous Pixel phone generations.

It looks like internally there has been some discontent with other aspects of the Pixel 4 hardware, too. The report from The Information also details some criticism from Google hardware lead Rick Osterloh on the Pixel 4 battery:

At a hardware team all-hands meeting in the fall, ahead of the October launch in New York, Osterloh informed staff about his own misgivings. He told them he did not agree with some of the decisions made about the phone, according to two people who were present at the meeting. In particular, he was disappointed in its battery power.

Battery and camera performance are likely only two out of a range of factors that caused Pixel 4 sales figures to decrease when compared to its predecessors. IDC estimates that Google shipped around 2 million Pixel 4 units in the first two quarters the phone was on sale, compared to 3.5 million Pixel 3 units and almost 3 million Pixel 3A devices.

These figures are also relatively small when compared to the largest competitors. According to IDC Apple sold a whopping 73.8 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2019, for example.

It’s not entirely clear, but likely, that the departures of Queiroz and Levoy are linked to the Pixel 4’s performance in the marketplace. What will it mean for future Pixel phones and their cameras? We will only know once we hold the Pixel 5 in our hands but we hope Google will continue to surprise us with new and innovative technologies that get the most out of smartphone cameras.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm says new 400MP ‘pixel shift’ mode is coming to its GFX 100 camera system

07 Feb

At its 2020 X Summit in London earlier this week, Fujifilm announced it’s working on adding a 400 Megapixel ‘pixel shift’ mode for its GFX 100 medium format mirrorless camera system.

The impending feature was teased as Fujifilm engineers talked about adding new functionality to its GFX 100 (around the 39:30 mark in the above video). According to the engineers, the ultra-resolution mode would use ‘sub-?m order control’ pixel pitch to create 400MP stills from the 100MP sensor inside its GFX100. Specifically, the engineers noted the new technology would be able to control pixel shift with 10x more precision than is currently available using the in-body image stabilization.

Aside from the aforementioned details, no other information was given, as Fujifilm engineers progressed through the 2020 X Summit. So, until Fujifilm reveals more information, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how long it is until the new functionality finds its way to the company’s 100MP medium format mirrorless camera.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nomad launches iPhone 11, Google Pixel 4 cases with Moment lens mount

07 Feb

Accessory maker Nomad has announced new smartphone cases in its Rugged line. The new models are available for all Apple iPhone 11 models as well as the Google Pixel 4 and feature an integrated mount for Moment lenses.

In a press release, Nomad said:

Our newest cases are Moment compatible. Meaning, they are the same style and quality you’ve come to expect from Nomad but now with an integrated Moment mounting plate. These will be available for all iPhone 11 models as well as Google Pixel 4 phones.

According to Nomad the cases are designed to withstand drops from up to six feet height and available in two colors, black or brown Horween Leather. They also come with a lanyard attachment point.

The lens mount allows you to attach any lens from premium accessory lens makers Moment, which includes an 18mm wide-angle, a 15mm fisheye, an anamorphic lens, a macro lens, and a 58mm tele lens, making the Nomad lenses an interesting alternative to Moment’s own cases.

The cases are available now form the Nomad website for $ 50.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google details how it’s improved Portrait mode on the Pixel 4

17 Dec

Portrait modes that simulate the shallow depth of field of a large sensor camera and fast lens have been around on smartphones for a long time. The Pixel 2 was the first Google phone to offer the feature. With the Pixel 2 being a single-lens camera the dual-pixel autofocus system was used to estimate the parallax and thus depth. The Pixel 3 still relied on dual-pixels but the system was improved using machine learning.

The Pixel 4 is the first Google phone to use dual-pixel AF and dual-cameras combined for depth estimation.

The latest Google flagship, the Pixel 4, is the first phone in the Pixel line to feature a dual-cameras. This allows for even better depth estimation by leveraging both the dual-camera and dual-pixel auto-focus system. In addition Google has also improved the appearance of the bokeh, making it more closely match that of a large sensor DSLR or mirrorless camera.

With the dual-pixel autofocus distance between the two focus pixels is very small which makes it difficult to estimate depth further away from the camera. The Pixel 4’s dual-cameras are 13 mm apart, allowing for a larger parallax and making it easier to estimate the depth of objects at a distance.

…dual-pixels provide better depth information in the occluded regions between the arm and torso, while the large baseline dual cameras provide better depth information in the background and on the ground.

Google is also still using the information collected by the dual-pixels, though, as it helps refine depth estimation around the foreground subject. In addition machine learning is used to estimate depth from both and dual cameras. A neural network first processes data from the two separately into an intermediate representation. A final depth map is then computed in a second step.

This image shows depth maps generated from dual-pixel AF, dual-camera and both combined. Dual-pixels provide better depth in the areas visible to only one camera, dual-cameras provide better depth in the background and ground. (Photo: Mike Milne/Google)

In addition to the improved depth estimation spotlights in the background are now rendered with more contrast, making for more natural looking results. This is achieved by blurring the merged raw image produced by the HDR+ processing and applying tone mapping.

Additional depth map samples can be found here, head over to the Google Blog for the full article.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google Pixel 4 ‘Feature Drop’ brings post-capture Portrait Blur and more

10 Dec

Google’s Pixel phones run the company’s Android operating system in its ‘purest’ form which also means they are the first devices to receive Android updates. Now Google has released its first ‘Feature Drop’ for the Pixel 4 and given us an overview in a blog post.

From an imaging point of view, the most interesting new feature is the ability to add a simulated bokeh effect post-capture, even if the image wasn’t originally shot in the Pixel’s Portrait mode. This means using Google Photos you can now add background blur to images that were shot a long time before bokeh simulation even was a thing.

On the downside, we would expect subject segmentation to be less precise than on images shot in Portrait Mode as the feature won’t have any depth data to work with and solely relies on subject recognition.

Other new features include an option for automatic Call Screen for robocalls and spam calls. Google Assistant can detect spam calls and silence them. Then it will screen the call to see if it might actually be worth your while. Google says it will also provide a ‘helpful context about who is calling and why.’

In addition, the video-calling app Google Duo can now auto-frame your face using the Pixel’s wide-angle selfie camera and expand the frame if a second person joins the caller. Google also says it has improved the Pixel 4’s memory management.

All new features will roll out ‘soon’ to Pixel users and at least some of them are likely to at some point appear on other Android devices as well. You can find the full list of new features on the Google Blog.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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