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Posts Tagged ‘sensor’

VSGO Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit Review

08 Jul

Cleaning your camera sensor for the first time can be a scary thing! But the fact of the matter is that it’s not as scary as many people make it out to be. Indeed if you get the chance to watch a professional sensor your camera, they’re pretty stress-free and just get on with the job, and while there is a (mostly!) good level of care, they’re not carrying on as if they’re performing open-heart surgery.

Yes, our cameras are our babies. But they’re also tools and despite what we may think, they can handle a little bit of hard work and a good cleaning, too. In this article, I’m going to tell you about my experience cleaning my own sensors and using the VSGO sensor cleaning kit.

VSGO sensor cleaning kit

See below for the video demonstration.

VSGO Sensor Cleaning Kit

The first time I ever tried cleaning my own sensor was on my new Canon 5D MarkII. I remember being super nervous and thinking that I was going to cause some irreversible damage!

Well, as it happens, I managed to put a big streak of cleaning fluid on the sensor and when I took a test shot I was horrified. I thought I’d scratched the sensor right down the middle! So I did a little bit of Googling to find that almost all modern sensors have some sort of protective layer in front of them to protect them from fools like me! I added a tiny dot of cleaning fluid, did it again and my sensor was sparkly and clean!

It is scary, but it’s not hard to effectively clean your own sensor.

I’ve used other sensor cleaning kits before. They worked fine, but they were just bigger and bulkier than this simple VSGO kit so I left them at home. With the VSGO sensor cleaning kit, I chuck a couple of swabs and a little bottle of cleaning fluid in my camera bag and I’m always ready should the need arise.

Sensor cleaning demo

I’ve put together this quick video to show you the exact procedure I use with these VSGO cleaning swabs, take a look!

As you can see in the video above, it’s easy to see the bigger dust spots, they’re sitting there waiting to be wiped away. Many people like the idea of blowing those right off, but I prefer not to do that. I don’t like the idea of blowing the bigger bits of dust off of my sensor and straight into the shutter box or sensor cavity to blow around at a later date and make your sensor clean mostly invalid! Kinda like driving through a car wash that’s just had its washy bits coated in dirt, no thanks.

In my few months of testing the VSGO cleaning system, I’ve found that with most camera sensors, you will only need one VSGO brush with a wipe from left to right. Then one more back from right to left using the opposite side of the brush and you’re done. But there have been one or two sensors that have required a couple of extra wipes!

How do you know when to clean your sensor?

When you’re out taking photographs and you close down your aperture (bigger f-number, for those of you that are newer to photography) for a deeper depth-of-field, you may notice little dark smudges, particularly around the edge of your photographs. Those cheeky little things are dust spots on the sensor (unless you had a pack of rabid pigeons flying around you looking for chips!)

They’re not very obvious when you’re taking a photograph with a shallow depth of field, and many photographers are prone to using our lenses as wide as they will go for the most part, so it’s not an issue. But from time to time, given the right situation, you will notice them.

In the photo below, I’ve bumped up the Contrast and Clarity in Lightroom to make the little smudge stand out a bit – pretty sure you’ll spot them!

 

My experience with the VSGO sensor cleaning kit was a very positive one and I have a couple of swabs and a bottle of cleaning fluid in both of my camera bags. (Thanks to Jeff at ProTog in Melbourne for telling me about these kits!) There is no downside to buying and having the VSGO cleaning kit with you, so I award it five out of five stars!

The post VSGO Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit Review by Sime appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Samsung launches ISOCELL image sensor brand

28 Jun

Samsung Electronics has introduced its image sensor brand ISOCELL at the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai. Samsung originally launched the ISOCELL technology, which reduces crosstalk between pixels through physical barriers, in 2013 and has now decided to use the moniker as a brand name.

“Samsung ISOCELL is a brand that represents the essence of our leading pixel technologies. We expect the ISOCELL brand to help consumers easily acknowledge and confide in camera performance as well as overall quality of the device,” said Ben Hur, Vice President of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “With our advanced image sensor technologies, Samsung will continue to bring innovation to cameras used in smartphones and other applications.”

ISOCELL sensors comprises four sub-brands: Bright, Fast, Slim and Dual which are tailored to specific mobile device market demands:

  • ISOCELL Bright sensors deliver bright and sharp images with high color fidelity and reduced noise in low light environments
  • ISOCELL Fast sensors provide fast autofocus onto still or moving objects even when dark
  • ISOCELL Slim sensors adopt the smallest pixel sizes available in the market at 0.9-1.0um, yet produce high quality images for the slimmest devices
  • ISOCELL Dual sensors can be mixed and matched in various combinations on consumer devices to bring about features demanded in the latest dual camera trend

The latter works in a similar way to the dual-camera modules in more recent Huawei high-end phones. combining an RGB with a monochrome sensor. If the rumors are true we will see the ISOCELL Dual sensors for the first time in the upcoming Samsung Note 8 which is likely to be launched around the IFA trade show in Berlin at the beginning of September.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony announces new 20MP 1-inch sensor

27 Jun

Sony’s sensor division has announced a new 1-inch type sensor with an effective pixel count of 20.48MP. The new CMOS sensor is backside-illuminated and offers an all-pixel global reset function which should drastically reduce rolling shutter effect when panning. The chip can also record 4K 2160p video at up to 60 frames per second and output 12-bit full-resolution images at readout speeds approaching 22 frames per second.

The new sensor has similar specifications to the chips used in Sony’s RX100 line of high-end compact cameras and RX10 superzoom models but appears to be designed specifically for industrial and surveillance applications. Full specifications are available on the Sony Semiconductor website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Camtraptions launches PIR Motion Sensor

14 Jun

Camtraptions has launched a new camera trap sensor that is designed for taking photographs of rare and nocturnal wildlife. The sensor can be deployed and left in place for weeks or even months at a time. It also allows for setup and triggering of flash guns or other light sources.

Camtraptions, founded by wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, has been creating sensors for DSLR camera trap photography since 2014. Over the last three years, the company has gathered feedback from its users in order to develop a new sensor that is easier to use than previous versions and offers a number of innovative features for both still photography and video shooting.

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The new sensor comes with a weather-proof housing and adjustable ‘blinkers’ that limit the sensor’s field of view to offer better control over composition. It can be either strapped to a tree or mounted on a small tripod next to an animal trail or other focal points for wildlife.The Camtraptions sensor is compatible with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras, with more camera brands to be supported in the near future. The sensor can be pre-ordered now for £150 ($ 191) at Camtraptions.com where you’ll also find more information and product videos.

Press release

Press Release: Professional Camera Trap Photography Made Easy

12 June 2017, London, UK – Camtraptions has reinvented the camera trap sensor, making it easier than ever before to take high-quality photographs of rare and nocturnal wildlife.

A camera trap can be left out for long periods of time, just waiting for the moment that an animal enters its field of view. The camera trap sensor then detects the animal and automatically triggers the camera. Multiple camera traps can be deployed at once and left in place for weeks or even months at a time in order to capture images of extremely rare or elusive animals. Placing a camera in advance of the animal turning up also gives the photographer time to set up attractive, studiolike lighting in order to take creative images of nocturnal wildlife.

Camtraptions has been creating sensors for DSLR camera trap photography since 2014. The original Camtraptions PIR motion sensor broke new ground by making it easy for anyone to turn an old DSLR camera into a high-quality camera trap for photographing wildlife.

Photographers have used the Camtraptions sensor to win awards in some of the world’s most prestigious competitions. Richard Peters, for example, used the Camtraptions sensor to take his image “Shadow Walker”, which won the Urban category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and was also the overall winner in the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Over the last three years, Camtraptions has gathered feedback from its users and taken the collective experience of camera trappers around the world to develop a new sensor that is easier to use than ever and introduces a number of innovative features for both still photography and video shooting.

The new sensor incorporates a rugged weather-proof housing and adjustable “blinkers” that limit the sensor’s field of view to provide greater control over the composition of the final image. It is very discreet and can be either strapped to a tree or mounted on a small tripod next to an animal trail or some other focal point for wildlife.

Will Burrard-Lucas, founder of Camtraptions and a wildlife photographer himself, said “we launched the new sensors to our existing customers last month and the first batch sold out in a couple of days. Our second batch of sensors will start shipping next week. People are already using the new sensor to photograph polar bears in the Arctic, tigers in India, jaguars in South America, lions in Africa and cougars in the US. Many people are also using the new sensors closer to home, to take creative images of wildlife in their own backyards. For me the most rewarding part is seeing the wonderful images of the natural world that our customers are getting.”

The Camtraptions sensor is compatible with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras, with more camera brands to be supported in the near future. The sensor can be preordered now for £150 at Camtraptions.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New Olympus TG-5 improves ‘toughness’, brings new sensor and tracking functionality

17 May

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Olympus has announced its latest ‘tough’ camera, the TG-5. It’s the follow-up to the TG-4, one of our favorite rugged cameras, and features a new sensor and processor, advanced tracking capabilities, 4K video capture, Wi-Fi and more.

Where the TG-4 used a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, the TG-5 has dropped to 12MP, in order to improve image quality (according to the company). It uses the same TruePic VIII processor found in the E-M1 Mark II. The 25-100mm equiv. F2-4.9 lens is mostly the same, although Olympus has added dual panel glass to prevent ‘foggy’ due to rapid changes in temperature. The lens can still focus down to 1cm/0.4in in its ‘microscope’ mode. 

The body has been strengthened. It’s now hermetically sealed and its waterproof rating is now 15m/50ft. It can survive a drop from 2.1m/7ft or having 100kg/220kg of force applied to it. It’s also freezeproof to -14C/+14F and dustproof. The design of the zoom controller is now more traditional, though in initial use we found that even a grain of sand can cause it to stick. A control dial has been added to the top of the camera, as well. 

The TG-5 inherits quite a few features from Olympus’ TG Tracker action camera, with the ability to log location, temperature, pressure and direction with the flip of a switch. The recorded info can be viewed in the O.I. Share app via maps and charts.

Video-wise, the TG-5 can capture UHD 4K video at 30p or go ‘high speed’ at 120 fps when shooting Full HD movies.

A number of accessories are available, including waterproof tele and fisheye conversion lenses, an LED Light Guide and flash diffuser and an underwater housing that functions down to 45m/147ft.

The TG-5 will be available in June for $ 449. You can choose from an easy-to-find-when-it’s-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean red or a slick-looking black.


Sample Gallery

We’ve put together an initial gallery of photos from the TG-5. More to come soon!

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Press Release:

OLYMPUS AND ADVENTURISTS CONQUER THE OUTDOORS WITH THE NEW TOUGH TG-5

High-Speed f2.0 Lens, High-Speed BSI CMOS Image Sensor and the Latest TruePic VIII Image Processor Deliver High-Quality Images in a Rugged Design

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 17, 2017 — Olympus builds on the outdoor shooting and tracking capabilities of the Tough product family with the new Tough TG-5, a compact digital camera designed to capture outstanding images in the most challenging conditions. The Tough TG-5 combines its high-speed f2.0 lens with advanced technologies, including a new high-performance backlit 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor, Olympus’ latest high-speed TruePic VIII Image Processor and a Field Sensor System that records movement and environmental data. With the Tough TG-5, users are able to tell immersive stories using brilliant videos, stills and data captured from their extreme adventures.

The new Olympus Tough® TG-5 touts the widely praised bright f2.0 lens found on previous premium Tough models. Boasting a wide-angle 25mm to a telephoto 100mm (35mm equivalent) focal length, this lens works in concert with the new high-speed backlit CMOS image sensor and the dual quad core TruePic VIII Image Processor to deliver the highest image quality of any Tough model to date.

The built-in Field Sensor System, consisting of a GPS sensor, manometer, compass and temperature sensor, records movement and environmental data independently or in conjunction with still images or videos. Data logs can be simultaneously displayed with images and videos using the Olympus® Image Track app, enhancing the experience of reliving and sharing outdoor adventures.

The Tough TG-5 excels in extreme conditions. In addition to being waterproof to 50 feet (15 meters), crushproof to 220 pounds of force (100 kilograms of force), shockproof from 7 feet (2.1 meters), freezeproof down to 14°F (-10°C) and dustproof, the camera now includes Anti-Fog Lens Cover Glass. This allows the Tough TG-5 to capture amazing action shots on the slopes, underwater and in other uniquely challenging environments where other cameras can’t perform.

New video functions include 4K Movie to capture Ultra HD video at four times the resolution of Full HD, allowing users to record beautiful scenery in amazing detail. Full HD 120fps High-Speed Movie lets users easily capture stunning slow-motion, and 4K Time Lapse automatically creates short videos of long periods of time.

Pricing and Availability

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 will be available in red and black beginning in June 2017 with an estimated street price of $ 449.99 USD and $ 579.99 CAD. For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website: getolympus.com/digitalcameras/tough/tg-5.html. 

Main Features

1) High-speed f2.0 lens, new high-performance BSI CMOS image sensor and the latest high-speed TruePic VIII Image Processor deliver high-quality images in all lighting conditions.
The high-speed lens works in concert with the image sensor and processor for a powerful synergy resulting in improved high-quality images, even in low light or underwater.
 
a) High-performance BSI CMOS image sensor and the latest TruePic VIII Image Processor
The Tough TG-5 features a high-speed f2.0 lens, a newly developed high-sensitivity, high-speed backlit 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest TruePic VIII Image Processor used in the Olympus flagship OM-D E-M1® Mark II camera. The new technology produces better image quality at standard and higher sensitivity ranges. The processor is capable of more complex calculations to improve resolution in low-contrast areas, especially when shooting at low ISO sensitivity. A maximum ISO sensitivity of 12800 and RAW capture are also available, covering a wide range of shooting situations.
 
b) High-speed f2.0 lens with a 25–100mm focal length (35mm equivalent)
The bright f2.0 lens supports faster shutter speeds when shooting underwater or in other challenging conditions to capture fast-moving subjects with minimal blurring. Superb Olympus optical technology is incorporated into the lens, including DSA (Dual Super Aspherical), HD (High Dispersion) and HR (High Refractive Index) lenses to deliver high-quality images while reducing aberrations throughout the entire zoom range.

2. Field Sensor System adds tracking data to images and videos for reliving the moment.
The Tough TG-5’s Field Sensor System consists of built-in sensors, including GPS, a compass, a temperature sensor and a manometer for altitude or depth. Tracking data may be recorded simultaneously with images and video or independently using the camera’s Data Log Mode. Tracking data may be viewed on the camera’s monitor or on a smart device. Users are able to press the INFO button to display current real-time data, even when the camera is turned off. Using the Olympus Image Track app to simultaneously display images, videos, and tracking information, lets users tell the story behind their shots.

a) Field Sensor System

  • GPS: The built-in GPS utilizes GLONASS and QZSS satellite systems in order to precisely calculate latitude and longitude. The GPS Assist function significantly reduces the amount of time required for initial GPS signal acquisition.
  • Manometer: Altitude and water depth are calculated based on atmospheric pressure and water pressure information.
  • Temperature Sensor: This sensor measures both air and water temperature, and is shielded from the effects of heat generated inside the camera.
  • Compass: The compass measures the direction in which the camera lens is pointed.

b) Olympus Image Track App
Pairing the camera and a smartphone with the TG-5’s built-in Wi-Fi® enables the simultaneous display of images, video, and tracking information, delivering a unique way to relive users’ experiences. A data overlay can be applied to images or video for posting adventures to social media. The resizing of images and videos is also available with the app.

Reliable Tough performance: waterproof to depths of 50 feet (15 meters), shockproof from 7 feet (2.1 meters), crushproof to 220 pounds of force (100 kilograms of force), freezeproof down to 14°F (-10°C), dustproof and Anti-Fog Lens Cover Glass.

Hermetically sealed construction provides waterproof performance for worry-free shooting underwater. This sealing also provides superb dustproof performance so that users can feel comfortable using the camera in dusty and dirty environments. The Tough TG-5’s shockproof performance is made possible via its floating construction that suspends key components inside the housing of the camera, enabling the camera to clear drop tests of up to 7 feet. The Tough TG-5’s robust construction also withstands loads of up to 220 pounds of force. Reliable operation is assured down to 14°F, making it possible to use the camera in cold environments where other digital devices may fail. In addition, the Tough TG-5 features Dual Pane Protective Cover Glass over the lens, preventing condensation caused by sudden changes in ambient temperature.

Video functions now include 4K Movie and Full HD 120fps High-Speed Movie.
The Tough TG-5’s 4K Movie makes it possible to shoot Ultra HD video at four times the resolution of Full HD video, ideal for recording beautiful scenery in amazing detail. Full HD 120fps High-Speed Movie is also included to capture split-second moments with playback in stunning slow motion.

Other Features

1) Variable Macro System easily captures microscopic subjects.
The Tough TG-5 is equipped with four macro modes with a maximum shooting
magnification of 7x for capturing microscopic subjects difficult to see with the naked eye. Accessories such as the LG-1 LED Light Guide and the FD-1 Flash Diffuser expand shooting possibilities by enabling proper illumination of macro subjects.

a) Four Specialized Macro Modes

  • Microscope Mode: This mode allows users to shoot subjects as close as 1cm from the end of the lens and use the optical zoom to enlarge and shoot subjects. This feature is perfect for shooting insects, the veins in a leaf, snowflake crystals and other details in nature that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
  • Microscope Control Mode: This mode uses a combination of optical and digital zoom to magnify and capture microscopic subjects. Users are able to magnify a subject that is only 1mm in size up to a maximum of approximately 44.4mm when displayed on the rear LCD monitor. In addition to switching the magnification factor with the zoom lever, the arrow pad may be used to switch between 1x, 2x and 4x with the press of a single button as if changing the objective lens on a real microscope.
  • Focus Stacking Mode: Depth of field typically becomes shallow in macro shooting. Focus Stacking Mode automatically captures eight different shots while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. Then, the focused areas are extracted and merged so that a full resolution image with large depth of field is created.
  • Focus Bracketing Mode: This function captures up to 30 images while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. Users can select the amount of focus shift and number of shots in three levels. Focus Bracketing Mode is convenient for focusing on low-contrast subjects such as flower petals that consist of a single color.

2. Superb controls allow for smooth shooting even in rugged environments.

The Tough TG-5’s grip’s shape and thickness have been improved to provide for a more secure hold, and the camera’s controls may be easily operated even while wearing gloves. A new control dial helps users easily adjust shooting settings such as exposure compensation. An Accessory Lock has been added to the front of the camera to secure Tough system accessories, including Tough converter lenses and the LG-1 LED Light Guide. Movie Modes are now readily accessible via the primary Mode Dial, and a variety of shooting settings may be registered to the two Custom Modes for instant use. Together, these features make the Tough TG-5 easy to use in any environment.

  • Four Underwater Modes allow users to easily capture beautiful underwater photos.
  • Grid Display assists users with composition.
  • Focus Peaking and MF Assist aids in manual focusing.
  • Zero-lag Pro Capture Mode enables users to capture precise moments, even if they happen prior to fully depressing the shutter.
  • Nighttime Live Composite Mode is ideal for shooting fireworks and star trails.
  • HDR shooting delivers a rich range of tonal expressions by merging multiple images.
  • The Olympus Image Share aApp allows for remote shooting and wireless sharing via a connected smart device.
  • 14 unique Art Filters enable enhanced creativity.

System Accessories

There is an extensive lineup of system accessories available for the Tough TG-5 for expanded photographic applications.

  1. Waterproof Converter Lenses (Sold separately)

With Tough converter lenses, users can enjoy different angles of view while maintaining the brightness of the camera lens. Attach the FCON-T01 Fisheye Converter lens to enjoy shooting with fisheye effects with an ultra-wide 130° angle field of view. Attach the TCON-T01 Teleconverter lens to shoot at a telephoto 170mm focal length (35mm equivalent). Both lenses are waterproof and may be attached and removed underwater. The CLA-T01 Adapter is required to use these lenses. Users may also attach the bundled LC-40.5 lens cap and the PRF-D40.5 PRO Protection Filter (sold separately) to the CLA-T01.

  1. Macro Lighting Accessories (Sold separately)

The LG-1 LED Light Guide uses the camera’s built-in LED light to evenly illuminate subject up to the closest focusing distance of 1cm for superb macro shooting. The FD-1 Flash Diffuser evenly diffuses the light of the camera’s built-in flash. This helps reduce subject blur and camera shake that tends to occur during macro shooting in low-light situations, and enables the use of lower ISO sensitivity. It also makes it possible to darken the background all subjects to better stand out in photos. Both lighting accessories enable users to easily obtain creative macro shots that rival those of an interchangeable lens camera.

  1. Underwater Housing (New, sold separately)

The PT-058 Underwater Housing is waterproof down to 147 feet (45 meters), and features black coating on the front of the body to prevent unwanted reflections. This housing enables use of the Control Dial for exposure compensation while underwater. There is a wide range of accessories available, including the UFL-3 External Flash for dual-unit underwater flash photography. The external PTWC-01 Underwater Wide Converter Lens and PTMC-01 Underwater Macro Converter Lens may also be used with this underwater case.

Other Accessories

  1. Silicone Jacket, CSCH-126 (New, sold separately)

This customized silicone jacket protects the surface of the camera body from scratches and improves grip performance so that users can hold the camera more securely. The LG-1 LED Light Guide and FD-1 Flash Diffuser may be used with the silicone jacket attached to the camera.

  1. Mesh Camera Case, CSCH-121 (Sold separately)

This case is made of silicone rubber and features a mesh design that makes it easy for water to drain to keep the camera dry. Because this case contains no metal parts (including the carabineer), users don’t have to worry about rust.

  1. Sport Holder, CSCH-123 (Sold separately)

This holder secures your camera to a backpack or belt horizontally or vertically and can

be easily removed with a single hand. This accessory makes it possible to capture POV video and includes a carabineer and spiral cord to prevent the camera from falling.

Olympus TG-5 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 449
Body type
Body type Compact
Body material Metal
Sensor
Max resolution 4000 x 3000
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 12 megapixels
Sensor size 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor type BSI-CMOS
Processor TruePic VIII
Color space sRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 100-12800
Boosted ISO (minimum) 100
Boosted ISO (maximum) 12800
White balance presets 8
Custom white balance Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization Optical
Image stabilization notes Up to 2.5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Super fine, fine, normal, basic
File format
  • Exif (v2.3)
  • Raw (Olympus ORF)
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.) 25–100 mm
Optical zoom 4×
Maximum aperture F2–4.9
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Digital zoom Yes (2X-4X)
Manual focus Yes
Normal focus range 10 cm (3.94)
Macro focus range 1 cm (0.39)
Number of focus points 25
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3
Screen dots 460,000
Touch screen No
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type None
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 4 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Auto
  • Program
  • Aperture Priority
Scene modes
  • Portrait
  • e-Portrait
  • Landscape
  • Portrait +Landscape
  • Hand-held Starlight*
  • Nightscape
  • Portrait + Nightscape
  • Children
  • Sport
  • Candlelight
  • Sunset
  • Fireworks
  • Beach & Snow
  • Panorama
  • Live Composite
  • Backlight HDR
Built-in flash Yes
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Self-timer
  • Pro Capture
Continuous drive 20.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 120p / 25 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port No
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description LI-92B lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340
Weight (inc. batteries) 250 g (0.55 lb / 8.82 oz)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32 mm (4.45 x 2.6 x 1.26)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS Built-in
GPS notes GPS, compass, manometer, thermometer

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony releases machine vision sensor capable of 1000 fps object tracking

17 May

Sony has released a new machine vision CMOS sensor, and though it’s destined for assembly lines and robots, it’s still interesting to us. Like the chip in the RX100 V, the IMX382 is a stacked, backside-illuminated chip capable of 1000 fps imaging. And, like that sensor, its stacked design includes signal processing circuitry in the chip. Unlike the RX100 V’s sensor, though, the 1.27MP IMX382 conducts video processing and subject recognition in parallel, so that it outputs both a ‘viewing’ stream and a ‘sensing’ stream simultaneously.

The sensing processing uses color and brightness information obtained from the sensor, enabling incredibly fast subject identification and tracking at 1000 fps. You can see what that looks like in the video below:

At a little over 1 megapixel this sensor is not destined for a smartphone or camera. And of course those applications get more complicated since they also have to re-focus a lens to keep up with a moving subject, but it’s interesting to see what levels of recognition and tracking possible when you bring signal processing to the chip itself.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lower cost of image sensor business lifts Sony’s annual income estimate

22 Apr

According to a report by Reuters Japanese electronics manufacturer Sony has lifted its operating income estimate for the financial year ended March 31. Sony says it now expects an income of around ¥285 billion ($ 2.6 billion), which is up from a 240 billion yen estimate in February.

The main reason for the adjustment of the estimate are lower amortization costs for Sony’s financial services segment but the company also cites lower-than-anticipated costs for its image sensor business. The company doesn’t provide any more detail than that, so we can only speculate what those anticipated costs were. 

Sony’s semiconductor business has been a market leader for years with a dominating market share of around 40 percent. Sony sensors have been deployed in the cameras and smartphones of a large number of vendors. The company will report its full-year results on April 28.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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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)

 
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STC adds 6-stop neutral density to its clip-on sensor filter range

01 Apr

Specialist filter manufacturer STC Optical Ltd has expanded its range of Clip filters to include a ND64 with infrared-cut properties. The new filter, which clips directly in front of the camera’s sensor instead of over the front of the lens, provides 6 stops of light reduction while maintaining accurate colors by preventing infrared light from passing freely during the exposure.

The benefit of using filters over the sensor is that the same filter can be used whichever lens is fitted, so users don’t have to buy a separate size for each lens diameter, or a different adapter ring. These kinds of filters are especially useful when used with ultra-wide lenses as they present no danger of vignetting and they fit behind lenses that can’t accept conventional front-element screw-in filters.

With wide, as well as normal, lenses having the filter behind the lens avoids the problems of flare that adding glass in front of the lens can create. It also side-steps the problem of  reflections on the back-side of the filter that can be a danger during long exposures when using filter holders that don’t hold the filter flat against the front of the lens.

Using this sort of ND filter will potentially be of benefit not only for creating long-exposure still images but also for video work. And of course with the filter remaining in place in the camera, changing lenses will take less time as there’s no need to screw off and reattached the filter.

Since the filter prevents DSLR mirrors returning to their normal position, it must be attached in live view mode. STC claims that it is perfectly safe to leave the filter in place even with the camera powered off, since the filter is designed to support the mirror, and prevent it from dropping.

A full list of compatible Nikon, Canon and Sony full frame and Canon APS-C  bodies is available on the STC Optical website. The filters cost $ 90.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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This CMOS sensor with 3D-printed microlenses is designed to mimic predator vision

23 Feb

A research team at the University of Stuttgart, Germany has proposed utlizing a 3D printer with ultra-short pulse laser-technology to print multi-component microlenses directly onto the surface of a CMOS image sensor. Doing so would create a ‘foveated’ imaging system: one with greater resolving power in the center, similar to the vision of predators in the animal kingdom.

In the research project, lens groups consisting of one of four types of tiny doublet lenses were printed directly onto the chip, after some functional layers like the existing microlenses and the color filters had been scratched off. The individual lenses come with 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 31, 38, 60 and 123mm which together give the system a field of view of approximately 70 degrees but with extra resolution at the center.

The footprint of the optics on the sensor is less than 300 x 300µm and the height of the lenses is 200µm, allowing for the design of highly miniaturized cameras that could be used in areas such as endoscopy, optical scientific instruments, optical sensing, camera drones or security.

Improvements to the current version could include anti-reflective coatings on the lenses, the use of triplets or more lens elements for aberration correction and the inclusion of absorbing aperture stops.

The paper by Simon Thiele, Kathrin Arzenbacher, Timo Gissibl, Harald Giessen, and Alois M. Herkommeris is titled ‘3D-printed eagle eye: Compound microlens system for foveated imaging’ and can be read in its entirety on Science Advances. 

Abstract:

We present a highly miniaturized camera, mimicking the natural vision of predators, by 3D-printing different multilens objectives directly onto a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Our system combines four printed doublet lenses with different focal lengths (equivalent to f = 31 to 123 mm for a 35-mm film) in a 2 × 2 arrangement to achieve a full field of view of 70° with an increasing angular resolution of up to 2 cycles/deg field of view in the center of the image. The footprint of the optics on the chip is below 300  × 300 um, whereas their height is less than 200 um. Because the four lenses are printed in one single step without the necessity for any further assembling or alignment, this approach allows for fast design iterations and can lead to a plethora of different miniaturized multiaperture imaging systems with applications in fields such as endoscopy, optical metrology, optical sensing, surveillance drones, or security.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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