Canon Develops 120 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

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zaznet

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[citation][nom]ruffopurititiwang[/nom]Now, imagine how big the body and lens have to be to use that huge sensor[/citation]

That would certainly put the large sensor into military & commercial use. Canon is certainly keeping in the picture and video game with these latest two developments.
 

Shadow703793

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[citation][nom]ruffopurititiwang[/nom]Pixel density will be off the charts! Unless Canon managed to break the laws of physics, that 120MP won't mean anything but just another marketing number. Higher pixel density on the sensor means more noise.[/citation]
+1. Like said above, this will have a hell of a lot of issues with noise. HOWEVER, if this can be cooled down using a TEC,etc then this very well could be using in some ultra expensive pro level cameras.
 

kristoffe

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This is super cool, I'm excited to see higher pixel count and new algorithms with different circuitry and materials to lower noise levels. With programs like photomodeler scanner and any kind of forensics, this is a great thing. Compression can go through the roof too with a nice image left to crop and use (think fov and distortions). good job, canon!
 

thechief73

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Its always nice to see companies push there technology to the limits even if it will be years from being in consumers hands or affecting products when can buy.

Kinda like flying cars in the 50's, LOL.
 

everlast66

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[citation][nom]ruffopurititiwang[/nom]From your link: "This follows last week's development announcement of Canon's 120 megapixel 29.2 x 20.2mm APS-H CMOS sensor."RTA before calling somebody a moron. APS-H = 29.2 x 20.2mm, Mr. Genius![/citation]

Actually Smochina IS CORRECT IT IS A 202 x 205 mm SENSOR !!
Unless Canon themselves messed up on their website:

"... TOKYO, August 31, 2010—Canon Inc. announced today that it has successfully developed the world's largest*1 CMOS image sensor, with a chip size measuring 202 x 205 mm. Because its expanded size enables greater light-gathering capability, the sensor is capable of capturing images in one one-hundredth the amount of light required by a professional-model digital SLR camera.

At 202 x 205 mm, the newly developed CMOS sensor is among the largest chips that can be produced from a 12-inch (300 mm) wafer, and is approximately 40 times the size of Canon's largest commercial CMOS sensor... "
Link:
http://www.canon.com/news/2010/aug31e.html
 

zaznet

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@everlast66 - No, as stated a few times in the thread it is TWO press releases. Tom's is just a week late (as usual).
 

zaznet

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[citation][nom]everlast66[/nom]Actually Smochina IS CORRECT IT IS A 202 x 205 mm SENSOR !![/citation]

That's different news than what is reported in this article. This article is about the 120 megapixel which was posted by Canon on August 24 at the following link. Too many people are so quick to want to point out wrong news that they don't verify they are referencing the right news releases.

http://www.canon.com/news/2010/aug24e.html
 

eddieroolz

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Not sure why people dismiss these things right off the bat, like "noise" "pointless" and such - there must have been a point to develop this, and the noise wouldn't be horrendous since Canon lives off their camera products.
 

ruffopurititiwang

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[citation][nom]eddieroolz[/nom]Not sure why people dismiss these things right off the bat, like "noise" "pointless" and such - there must have been a point to develop this, and the noise wouldn't be horrendous since Canon lives off their camera products.[/citation]

Sensor noise will be similar to point and shoot or super zoom cameras because it will have insane pixel density. The closer the pixels are crammed together, the more noise you'll get. That's why an 8MP DSLR with a sensor the size of a postage stamp produces better image quality than a 12MP point and shoot with a sensor smaller than the nail on your pinky. It's like a small speaker, you can turn the volume up but at a certain level you'll start to get distortion.

And let's not forget that a long time ago, Canon announced a 50MP sensor but that did not go on production. Turned out that their 12MP sensor produced better quality than the 50MP one.
 

JackFrost860

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[citation][nom]LePhuronn[/nom]The noise on that will be horrendous. And why make not make it a full-frame 35mm sensor if it's just for tech purposes?[/citation]
The smaller die is needed for higher yield rates.
 
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