Canon sets a new record with its 410-megapixel 35mm camera sensor.
The competition for the number of megapixels continues to advance.
Canon has taken a new step in the race for megapixels by introducing its innovative 35mm CMOS sensor. This new sensor boasts an impressive resolution of 410 megapixels, translating to dimensions of 24,592 x 16,704 pixels. This figure represents a resolution equivalent to 24K, far surpassing the capabilities of 8K and being 198 times more detailed than HD quality.
According to Canon, this is the 35mm full-frame sensor with the highest pixel count ever created. However, it is important to note that it is not intended for consumer digital cameras. Its design is aimed at industrial applications, such as surveillance and medicine, where extreme resolution is required and where users are willing to make a significant investment in technology.
The new sensor features a "redesigned circuitry pattern" and an innovative "backside illumination stacking," which is interleaved between the pixel segment and the signal processing segment. Thanks to these improvements, the sensor achieves a readout speed of "3,280 megapixels per second," allowing for full-resolution image capture at eight frames per second.
Additionally, Canon will offer a black-and-white version of the sensor. This variant incorporates a "four-pixel binning" function, which enhances sensitivity in low-light situations by treating four adjacent pixels as one. While this decreases overall resolution, it makes it easier to record videos at 100 megapixels at 24 frames per second in its monochrome version.
Generally, to achieve the maximum megapixel count, one needs to opt for medium-format sensors or larger cameras. For example, the Phase One XF IQ4 offers 150 megapixels. However, by incorporating this high resolution into a 35mm sensor compatible with a wide range of full-frame camera lenses, Canon aims to contribute to the miniaturization of image capture equipment.