One of the biggest issues for any camera is the device's abilities to take pictures or record video in the dark, especially when a flash isn't practical or can't generate enough light. However, with new sensors that have been developed by Canon, all of that may change. On Friday, the company announced a new high-sensitivity 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor, which is specially designed to work in low-light environments.
By utilizing the increasing sensitivity to light along with low-noise imaging, the sensor allows a camera to pick up images that would have been blurry or obscured entirely by darkness, albeit at lower resolutions. According to a press release from Canon, the sensor will be initially tailored for video use only due to the low quality images produced by the lens. In addition, it's unlikely that the new development will be incorporated into any personal-use devices any time soon. Instead, the technology will be incorporated into gathering images of space for research.
"The company is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research and use in surveillance and security equipment," the company said in the release. "Through the further development of innovative CMOS sensors, Canon aims to expand the world of new imaging expression."
In terms of practical use, Canon claims the lens will operate with just 0.03 lux of illumination, comparable to how bright it is with a partial moon in the sky.
The camera will be seen for the first time at SECURITY SHOW 2013 in Tokyo, Japan from March 5-8. At the exhibition, the public will get the first glimpse of what type of sensor housing Canon will use to incorporate the lens into different devices and what future uses the company has planned. Companies such as S-Bond will be integral in developing bond assembly for sensor housing and different methods for which Canon's lenses can be used in the future.