Canon extra-large CMOS sensor could take video at night
updated 06:20 pm EDT, Tue August 31, 2010
Canon makes largest CMOS sensor to date
Canon on Tuesday revealed the world's largest CMOS image sensor for digital cameras. Sized at 202x205mm, the sensor has superior night-vision capabilities thanks to its large size, requiring one one-hundredth of the light required by a professional, modern DSLR. The chip is one of the largest that can be made from a 300mm wafer and is about 40 times larger that Canon's largest commercial CMOS sensor.
The problem of added data signal processing time usually associated with such large sensors has been solved by incorporating a new circuit design. The size allows shooting 60FPS video with just 0.3 lux of light.
Canon foresees practical uses such as capturing images and videos of stars at night and the activities of nocturnal animals. When or if the sensor is made commercially available was not revealed.
