In pictures: A glimpse into Canon's future technologies
8K resolution capture and broadcast? Mixed reality? Photography at 120 megapixels? These are just a sprinkle of what Canon has planned for the near future, and they were showcased at the recent Canon Expo 2016 Shanghai. Hop in and glimpse into the future!
The Canon Expo 2016 Shanghai was a show-and-tell of Canon's achievements, and that includes future technology developed by the Japanese imaging company. Here, we look at various advancements in their imaging, printing, and mixed reality businesses.
120-megapixel EOS cameras
A concept camera with a 120MP high-resolution sensor.
This is the sample photography setup to test its capabilities.
And this is the resulting output. It's magnificent.
On display was a concept model camera with a built-in 120-megapixel high-resolution sensor. If we take the current crop of flagship cameras and their sensors into consideration, 120-megapixel sensors would greatly eclipse the quality of images that current imaging technology is capable of. The Sony A7R II has a 42-megapixel sensor, the Canon 1D X Mark II has 20.2-megapixel sensor, and the Nikon D5 has a 20-megapixel sensor. Canon claimed that the images captured at this resolution would still retain its quality even after cropping the original data, and textures found on very small subjects can still be clearly seen on B0-sized print.
Crystal-fidelity printing
This is the 'image airport' display. The 'viewing gallery' seen here is actually a printed picture, proudly displayed in Canon's exhibition.
Canon coined the term "Crystal-fidelity", which refers to a print quality so high that it faithfully reproduces images captured by Canon's EOS cameras. More specifically, the 'faithful reproduction' is focused in the photo's three-dimensionality, clarity, and texture on prints. One example Canon showed was a large print of an airport's runway, which looked realistic as it's aided by props to simulate an actual viewing gallery. Two unnamed concept model printers were on display as well.
We used a magnifying glass to see the details on this print example by Canon. It's incredibly sharp.
Besides increasing print accuracy, Canon introduces Wide Dynamic Range printing. To achieve Wide Dynamic Range on print, a user would need to have Canon's new pigment ink, the LUCIA PRO, which supposedly achieves deeper black concentration, as compared to conventional ink.
Canon Super Creative Printing
This is not an actual brick wall - this is a print by Canon, and it captures the textures and gloss as printable data before it goes out as a copy.
This new mode of printing is able to capture the original source's gloss, its stereoscopic effect, and its sense of transparency. For example, if a user prints a copy of a famous artwork that was done using oil on canvas, you would get a reproduction of the canvas's texture and the painting's indents and ridges produced from its brushstrokes. Of course, we let Canon's display samples do the talking.
Canon also printed copies of original artwork done using oil on canvas, etc.
From Canon's explanation, the captured image will be analyzed during image processing. Gloss or surface elevation on the source material, no matter how delicate, will be calculated and subsequently converted into printable data. During the actual printing process, the rendered ink will be cured using ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and the printer uses ink lamination to form the image's surface texture and reflectiveness.
8K capture, playback, and 8K broadcasting
Canon is also experimenting with the production and output of 8K resolution media. By using a Canon-developed 8K camera body paired with a "CN-E, 14.5 - 60mm, T2.6 L S" EF cinema lens, along with a conversion box and external recorder, Canon can capture 8K resolution images. To achieve 8K playback, Canon uses four sets of their 4K500ST 4K resolution projectors with edge-blending. The resulting projected image would have a resolution of 7,680 x 4,080 pixels.
The live broadcast of the 8K resolution video within the mock studio done by Canon.
Explanation on how to achieve 8K resolution live broadcast footage. Canon intends to have this technology ready for live broadcasting of the Olympic games in 2020.
For 8K broadcasting, Canon uses an 8K lens (7 x 19.7N KASD), an 8K camera with a Super 35mm 60fps sensor (8,192 x 4,320 effective pixels). the 8K camera uses an EF mount with cinema lock type and it's capable 8K RAW output. It uses two conversion boxes to bring real time 8K image, and the broadcast can be played back on an 8K display.
360-degree imaging and sound
Canon's very own VR headset?
Canon's unique all-round omnidirectional image acquisition system enables you to watch high-resolution images in full 360 degrees. This is Canon's efforts in Virtual Reality (VR).
Mixed Reality
This headset feeds Mixed Reality images to the user.
Mixed Reality is Canon's version of augmented reality. Using Canon's technology and methods, a user can experience visual changes on real-world objects at a swipe of a hand. Canon's examples include showcasing a luxury car by applying different color schemes and skins in virtual reality.
Versatile Collaboration System
This is an image projection technology made for educational or retail purposes - in their showcase, they used a combination of a projector, sensor, and visual data to provide an interactive experience when learning about planets in the Solar system. The system can also operate with the use of gestures.
Rich Collaboration System
Designed for office use, this Rich Collaboration System allows participants in a teleconference to share markings made on certain documents. The example here shows two different "offices" having a conference call, as they share changes on the presentation slides in real time.