Canon's New Full-Frame Video Sensor Can See in the Dark

Canon's New Full-Frame Video Sensor Can See in the Dark

Canon has just announced a high-sensitivity 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor designed for video recording in exceptionally low-light environments.

The sensor has a 1920 x 1080 pixel array, each pixels measure 19 micros square in size, 7.5 times bigger than the surface area of the pixels in Canon's flagship EOS 1D X and other DSLR cameras. In order to improve its low-light performance, the sensor employs new technologies to reduce image noise. Canon says that the new sensor can record visible video even in dim environments with as little as 0.03 lux, or approximately the brightness of a crescent moon. 

Using a prototype camera with the new sensor, Canon has captured a range of test videos, which speak impressively for themselves (see below). Canon says they have plans for the sensor to be used for astronomy and nature observations, medical research, as well as surveillance and security equipment. The prototype camera will be on exhibition at the Security Show 2013, which is being held in March in Tokyo, Japan.