Canon develops world's first 120 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor

[Lovin]

Probably you already know about this, but for those who don't...

TOKYO, August 24, 2010 —Canon Inc. announced today that it has successfully developed an APS-H-size*1 CMOS image sensor that delivers an image resolution of approximately 120 megapixels (13,280 x 9,184 pixels), the world's highest level*2 of resolution for its size.

Compared with Canon's highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor of the same size, comprising approximately 16.1 million pixels, the newly developed sensor features a pixel count that, at approximately 120 million pixels, is nearly 7.5 times larger and offers a 2.4-fold improvement in resolution.*3

With CMOS sensors, while high-speed readout for high pixel counts is achieved through parallel processing, an increase in parallel-processing signal counts can result in such problems as signal delays and minor deviations in timing. By modifying the method employed to control the readout circuit timing, Canon successfully achieved the high-speed readout of sensor signals. As a result, the new CMOS sensor makes possible a maximum output speed of approximately 9.5 frames per second, supporting the continuous shooting of ultra-high-resolution images.

Canon's newly developed CMOS sensor also incorporates a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video output capability. The sensor can output Full HD video from any approximately one-sixtieth-sized section of its total surface area.

Images captured with Canon's newly developed approximately 120-megapixel CMOS image sensor, even when cropped or digitally magnified, maintain higher levels of definition and clarity than ever before. Additionally, the sensor enables image confirmation across a wide image area, with Full HD video viewing of a select portion of the overall frame.

Through the further development of CMOS image sensors, Canon will break new ground in the world of image expression, targeting new still images that largely surpass those made possible with film, and video movies that capitalize on the unique merits of SLR cameras, namely their high mobility and the expressive power offered through interchangeable lenses.

*1The imaging area of the newly developed sensor measures approx. 29.2 x 20.2 mm.
*2 As of August 20, 2010. Based on a Canon study.
*3 Canon's highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor, employed in the company's EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR cameras, is equivalent to the full-frame size of the 35 mm film format and incorporates approximately 21.1 million pixels. In 2007, the company successfully developed an APS-H-size sensor with approximately 50 million pixels

[Iguanasan]

How does that fit with film now for resolution? That must exceed it, right? 120MP. Wow! The details you could get

[Richard]

Last I read this was a bit of a marking ploy to take some of the lime light from some of the other manufactures announcements, and in reality they have no plans to put it into production. Canon's 60D announcement sounds interesting though, same sensor as the 550D, plastic body and swivel screen, and built in video editing.

[Marko]

Very nice descriptive marketing text. Show us the 'sample' pix Canon, they are worth more than the words.

[Mad Aussie]

And don't forget ... more megapixels means more computer power needed to handle the files and more space required to store them. The shutter speeds are likely to suffer etc as well. Considering I've seen billboards with photos taken with 6 megapixel Canon's having 120 mp doesn't really impress me. I've blown my 10 mp photos up to 20x30 inch with good detail.
Nice to be able to crop in further of course but take the photo properly in the first place and you don't need it. Maybe I'm old fashioned?

Still nice to see Canon leading the photography world with something at least again. They seem to have left it all to Nikon and others lately.

[Lovin]

I heard that next Canon 1Ds Markxx will have a 32MP sensor.

[QuietOne]

Did they use a functional camera, even a prototype? Or was it a stationary setup for seeing how well the processing scheme works? Not that I'd expect something affordable by most in the near future. Mike worked in semiconductor for quite some time, and new chip designs, especially when making big jumps in ability, have a horribly poor yield at first.