If you thought the 50.6 megapixels found in Canon’s EOS 5DS DSLR camera is big, think again. The Japanese camera and device manufacturer has announced a new 250 megapixel APC-H CMOS sensor, which is also smaller in size than the one the EOS 5DS uses.
An APS-H size sensor is approximately 29.2 x 20.2 mm, a bit bigger than standard APS-C sensors but smaller than 35mm full frame sensors. The new 250 megapixel sensor has a resolution of 19,580 x 12,600 pixels and according to Canon, the newly developed sensor is able to capture images enabling the distinguishing of lettering on the side of an airplane flying at a distance of approximately 18 km (roughly 11.2 miles) from the shooting location. Video shot with the camera was also approximately 125 times that of Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video and approximately 30 times that of 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) video.
With CMOS sensors, increases in pixel counts result in increased signal volume, which can cause such problems as signal delays and slight discrepancies in timing. The new Canon-developed CMOS sensor, however, despite its exceptionally high pixel count, achieves an ultra-high signal readout speed of 1.25 billion pixels per second, made possible through such advancements as circuit miniaturization and enhanced signal-processing technology. Accordingly, the sensor enables the capture of ultra-high-pixel-count video at a speed of five frames per second. Additionally, despite the exceptionally high pixel count, Canon applied its sensor technologies cultivated over many years to realize an architecture adapted for miniaturized pixels that delivers high-sensitivity, low-noise imaging performance.
Canon may have won the megapixel count this round, but don’t expect to see this sensor in a consumer camera anytime soon. Canon is considering the application of this technology in specialized surveillance and crime prevention tools, ultra-high-resolution measuring instruments and other industrial equipment.
What do you think of Canon’s new 250 megapixel sensor? Would you like to get your hands on one? Let us know in the comments below, or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button link=http://www.canon.com/news/2015/sep07e.html” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Canon[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
