Canon's new digital movie camera is able to shoot HD full-color video in very low light levels, recording clips in almost complete darkness, and functioning as an effective "multi-purpose" tool for capturing super high-resolution photos and videos. The Japanese corporation hopes the model will it put it back at the top tier of the industry, challenging competitors such as RED and Arri.
The camera has been dubbed MH20F-SH. It contains a full-frame CMOS sensor with 2.26 megapixels. Its low resolution is due to each pixel being 19 microns (one-millionth meter) each, allowing it to capture an enormous amount of light, according to Gizmodo.
The Canon's sensors can hit 4,000,000 ISO (speed). This allows the gadget to "see" better than in the dark than the human eye can, without the use of tools for infrared night vision. Ironically, Canon has released no sample footage to observe the camera's capabilities.
It should be noted that the camera was not designed for most consumers. There is the sky-high price tag of $30,000, plus the product description's mentioning of "industrial" applications such as cinema, wildlife documentaries and nighttime surveillance, which seems to hint at a niche market.
The camera is quite small at 4x4x4 inches (10x10x10 cm) and 1.1 kilograms (kg), making it ideal for a wide array of shooting scenarios. It also includes a Canon EF mount, according to Hindustan Times. In addition, the unit's back panel is easily accessible.
Canon's new camera highlights the company's attempt to launch innovative models to the market. In recent years it has received much criticism for not doing that.
The MH20F-SH will be shipped out in December. It will give camera enthusiasts a new and exciting way to create nighttime footage during the holiday season.