Canon EOS 5D Mark II: 21MP and 1080P HD movies

CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
EOS 5D MARK II DSLR CAMERA FEATURING FULL-FRAME HD VIDEO CAPTURE

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The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Escalates Full-Frame Digital SLR Photography to the Next Level with
HD Movie Recording Capabilities, DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, and 21.1 Megapixel Resolution

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 17, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera, the long-awaited successor to Canon’s highly popular EOS 5D, introduced in 2005. Building upon the qualities that made the EOS 5D camera so successful, Canon has coupled the creative power of a full-frame CMOS sensor in a relatively compact and affordable camera body, together with groundbreaking HD video capture that opens the door to a much wider range of imaging possibilities for photographers. Along with the ability to capture full HD video clips at 1920 x 1080 resolution, Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera features a 21.1-megapixel full frame 24 x 36mm CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 imaging processor and significantly lower noise, with an expanded sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 25,600.

“The anticipation surrounding the launch of this camera model has exceeded our greatest expectations, and we believe our loyal customers will be awed by the level of innovation and features built into the new EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR. Once they have the chance to experience the camera, we believe they will agree that it was worth the wait,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

Among the many advancements in Canon’s new EOS 5D Mark II camera is the Company’s proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor that powers the camera’s fast 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for smooth color tones and exceptional gradation. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR offers a full-frame 24 x 36mm, 21.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and continuous shooting at 3.9 frames per second (fps) for an unlimited number of full-resolution JPEGs to the capacity of the memory card or up to 14 RAW images in a single burst when using a UDMA CF card. The camera includes a 15-point Autofocus (AF) sensor with nine selectable AF points plus six additional Assist AF points (three center AF points sensitive to f/2.8 lenses) with enhanced light source detection and AF microadjustment for greater autofocus performance. The EOS 5D Mark II camera also features a large, clear 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution, four times the pixel count of the EOS 5D camera’s 2.5-inch screen, for enhanced clarity and color when viewing images. The new camera is equipped with a high-performance, high-magnification optical viewfinder providing 98 percent coverage, giving a new dimension to the saying, “what you see is what you get.” Professional photographers will also appreciate the enhanced 150,000-cycle shutter durability of the EOS 5D Mark II camera.

Canon, the first company to introduce a full-frame digital camera, has improved the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera’s newly developed full-frame CMOS image sensor. Utilizing proprietary Canon technology, the Company has reduced noise and expanded the sensitivity of the CMOS sensor up to ISO 25600, which is three full stops higher than the ISO 3200 limit of the original EOS 5D camera. Although the individual pixel dimensions of the EOS 5D Mark II camera are the same as the 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor used in the EOS-1Ds Mark III digital SLR, the new sensor incorporates an improved output amplifier and a more advanced color filter that improves light transmission while retaining excellent color reproduction. By applying the same kind of advancements in sensor design and image processing technology as the recently introduced EOS 50D camera, but at higher resolution and with larger pixels, the EOS 5D Mark II achieves the highest level of image quality of any EOS Digital SLR released to date.

With the combination of its improved CMOS image sensor and the powerful new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 6400 in 1/3-stop increments, along with two high-speed settings – H1 and H2 – of ISO 12800 and ISO 25600, respectively, as well as a low-speed setting of ISO 50. The full-frame sensor maximizes the performance of Canon EF lenses, the world’s largest selection of autofocus lenses.

HD and SD Video Capture
Canon has taken its expertise in imaging, photography and video capture technology to a new level with the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR. Answering the question of where SLR technology is going next, the EOS 5D Mark II features 16:9 Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 30 fps as well as 4:3 standard TV quality (SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps, both capabilities appearing for the first time in a Canon SLR camera. Video capture is part of the camera’s Live View function, using the Picture Style that has been set for Live View still image shooting. This allows skilled photographers and cinematographers to adjust image sharpness, contrast, color saturation and white balance, and have those settings apply to the movie image. When recording video, the camera’s rear LCD screen can be letter-boxed by a semi-transparent border to match the aspect ratio of the movie recording size. Moreover, the EOS 5D Mark II camera’s HD video capability enables new levels of creative expression through its unfettered access to the complete line of more than 60 Canon EF lenses, which provide an incredible variety of visual effects including everything from ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye to macro and super-telephoto, including many large-aperture L-series professional lenses that can keep the main subject in razor-sharp focus while blurring the background beyond recognition.

The EOS 5D Mark II will record video up to 4GB per clip or a maximum continuous movie capture time of 29 minutes and 59 seconds, whichever comes first. Depending on the level of detail in the scene, a 4GB memory card can record approximately 12 minutes of video at full HD resolution or approximately 24 minutes in standard definition.[i]camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV. Video clips are recorded in .MOV format using an MPEG-4 video compression and sound is recorded using linear PCM[ii] without compression. The new camera features an input terminal for external stereo microphones as well as a built-in monaural microphone for convenience. To help show off those fantastic movies as well as still photos, the EOS 5D Mark II

Live View Shooting
For both still images and video, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera features Live View, one of the most sought after features in digital SLRs today. The 5D Mark II features three Live View AF modes – Quick, Live and Face Detection Live mode – for capturing either still photos or video, each with its own attributes. Quick mode automatically sets One-Shot AF using the camera’s phase detection AF system. It also allows users to select the AF point, even while the Live View image is displayed. Although the camera’s reflex mirror must be lowered briefly to take an AF measurement in Quick mode, it is the fastest way to set focus automatically when the 5D Mark II camera is set for Live View.

Live mode uses contrast-detection AF with the image sensor and here, as with Quick mode, users can change the AF point using the Multi-controller. Face Detection Live mode uses contrast AF to recognize human faces. When multiple faces are detected, the largest face closest to the center of the frame is targeted as the AF point. While Live View is engaged users can still change settings including the AF mode (Quick, Live, Face Detection Live mode), drive mode, ISO speed, Picture style, White Balance, and more.

Peripheral Illumination Correction
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera automatically conducts peripheral illumination correction when shooting JPEG images, a function that previously could only be accomplished through post-image processing using software such as Canon’s Digital Photo Professional, which Canon supplies at no extra charge. Peripheral illumination correction evens brightness across the image field, making an image of a blue sky even toned throughout and reducing light fall-off at image edges. This new feature essentially eliminates one of the limitations of previous full-frame digital SLRs.

Auto Lighting Optimizer
Canon’s enhanced Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure each picture’s subject is clearly visible by analyzing image brightness and automatically adjusting dark areas in images so that they appear brighter. This function is ideal in high-contrast situations such as urban landscapes captured on sunny days, where the tops of buildings are brightly lit while street level details are obscured by heavy shadows. In this type of scene, the 5D Mark II camera’s Auto Lighting Optimizer technology preserves accurate exposure of the highlights while opening up the shadow areas for a more pleasing tonal rendition.

Canon’s New Creative Auto Mode
Recently introduced with the new EOS 50D, Canon’s “CA” Creative Full Auto setting can also be found on the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera’s mode dial. This setting allows users to make image adjustments such as aperture or shutter speed through an easy-to-understand navigation screen on the camera’s LCD menu, allowing them to “blur the background” or “lighten or darken the image.” These easy-to-understand image options allow photographers to experiment with image options while still shooting in an automatic mode.

Two Small RAW Formats
For photographers seeking the flexibility and creative possibilities of shooting RAW format images, without the large file size, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera offers two more manageable file size options with sRAW1 and sRAW2 recording formats. At the sRAW1 setting, resolution is 10.0-megapixels with a file size that is approximately 25 percent smaller than a standard 21.1-megapixel RAW image. With the sRAW2 setting, resolution is 5.2 megapixels at less than half the file size of a standard RAW image, retaining all of the flexibility and creative possibilities associated with full-size, conventional RAW images. Wedding and portrait photographers, in particular, will appreciate the options of variable resolution and file size which allow them to fine-tune the 5D Mark II’s operation for their specific needs.

Silent Shooting in Live View
Canon has equipped the EOS 5D Mark II with two Silent Shooting modes in Live View which will prove particularly helpful to law enforcement officials, and for behind-the-scenes shooting on movie sets. In Mode 1, the camera will shoot with the mechanical shutter open at the beginning of the exposure, using the electronic 1st-curtain function of the CMOS sensor and a reduced shutter-cocking noise, allowing multiple shots to be taken with minimal noise. In Mode 2, to minimize shutter noise during single frame photography, shutter cocking does not occur until the shutter button returns to the half-way position after shooting.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
With the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II camera, the entire Canon EOS system is now equipped with the highly acclaimed EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II has been upgraded with a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera is compatible with Canon EF lenses and is scheduled for delivery by the end of November. The EOS 5D Mark II will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $2,699

Polecam

 

Polecam gives you a crane type shot when you couldn’t get one before either due to restrictive location or budget.

* To put a crane in a boat or a car has always been exclusive to Hollywood – not now!
* The portability of Polecam is always a big winner. With a rig time of 10 minutes and the ability to carry a Polecam as well as an ordinary Betacam unit in an ordinary car makes it unique.
* Polecam is not an essential piece of kit. You can cover a football match with 1 camera so why does Sky Television have up to 20 – the answer is increased production value.

Polecam gives a crane shot when one has ‘NOT’ been able to get one before, whether it be the pit lane of a motor racing circuit (Polecam is the only crane ever to be licensed in a pit lane due to the fact that tripods are forbidden) or a small studio for the shopping channel. It is all about increased production value.

‘Technical Blurb’
Polecam provides smooth, floating jib arm shots, with the ability to relocate with ease. This is due to the fact that Polecam can be attached to the body by way of a harness, which has been designed in conjunction with a registered osteopath to aid weight distribution and portability.
The Polecam can be operated in the harness or on a tripod, with a relocation time in as long as it takes to walk there, be it just a few steps, up some steps or even in & out of a boat.

Much easier than with a conventional jib. The lightweight nature is all due to a radical redesign of the concept of a jib arm, including materials used in construction as well as the latest camera technology.

The rig comes complete with 5 universal, custom wound carbon fibre sections (1 as spare) each measuring over 1m (3’) in length and 4cm (1.6”) in diameter, which provide useable, steady shots during booming. A small FX microphone is also positioned at the end of the boom.
The counterweight arm of the Polecam rig only protrudes to the rear a maximum of 1m (3’) and contains the counterweights, batteries (10Ah), CCU & Interface Unit.

Polecam can be rigged and de-rigged quickly, and is unique in that it requires NO tools in construction. The average rig time is 10 minutes with de-rig time of 5 minutes.

Polecam breaks down into two custom designed bags developed by CP Cases, in the Pro-Bag range (Cordura® by DuPont) with the mast bag having backpack harness capability. 

 

‘More Technical Blurb’

The 3-chip, 750 line resolution mini-camera, with a component/composite output to Digi-beta/Beta SP recorder or microwave link, plus optional SDI converter, is mounted on a custom made, self leveling, miniature pan & tilt unit, with joystick, allowing the camera to be moved quickly and smoothly. The unit also incorporates a mechanical iris drive for the lens, controlled from the joystick itself (or by remote from an OB van).

The whole unit is small enough to drop into a cup of coffee! However, the system can incorporate most mini-cam systems both single & triple chip.

The entire head unit weighs less then 0.5kg (1lb) and is therefore very appealing from a health & safety aspect.

Polecam can also be used from the back of a moving vehicle such as car, jeep, golf buggy, quad bike etc. and even from the back of a motorbike, as well as fixed to any tripod, remote head, stand or dolly system. Viewing of the camera picture is by means of a high quality TFT LCD monitor mounted on the boom. All the cables between the P&T head unit and the rear end pass inside the mast as opposed to being strapped to the outside. This aids rig time as well as protecting the cables themselves.

Polecam can be used in a variety of applications ranging from sport, music, documentary, drama, security & military, corporate and wildlife.

Demo videos

Source: Polecam

Vicon T-series, 16 megapixel motion capture camera

Vicon is proud to introduce its latest innovation, the T160.  With four times the resolution of any motion capture camera available the T160 is like no other.  Welcome to the resolution revolution.

16 MEGAPIXELS
The T160 boasts a resolution of 16 megapixels, captures 10-bit grayscale using 4704 X 3456 pixels and can capture speeds of up to 2,000 frames per second. This resolution means you can now accurately track the finest detail, the subtlest movements in even the largest volumes.

Elmo II

ELMO’s SUV-Cam’s advance features received high commendation from

athletes worldwide when it was first introduced.

Now, its usability and functionality are advanced further through extended

recording capacity on SDHC cards, quick one-push recording, and a new lens

support design that resists vibration.

It doesn’t matter whether you are on four wheels, two wheels, go-karting, on-road or off-road; The SUV-Cam can record your actual run, exactly as you experience it.

Whatever the sport, this wearable camera can capture all the action from the player’s point of view.

The possible applications for our small, lightweight and flexible SUV-Cam are virtually unlimited.

The SUV-Cam’s digital images can easily be copied to DVD media for your friends and associates to enjoy.

It is easy to put your most recent race or exciting sports experience on your blog or personal web page

Sample Movies

Source: ELMO

VholdR

I think this is one of the best Helmet cameras out there, 

Image Capture

The front of the camera houses three major elements:

• Duel lasers activate on demand, sending out referencing beams indicating two pieces of information, where the camera is pointed, and if it is level.
• The lens itself is a glass eye with a focal length covering the gamut, from arm?s length to infinity, which focuses visual information onto a CMOS image capture card at 640×480 resolution.
• Both the lens and the capture card rotate together 192 degrees within a pivoting hermetically sealed capsule. This means no matter how you mount the camera, VholdR sees a level world.

Armored Video

VholdR is made from brushed aluminum, baked fiberglass and rubber. It’s insides are silicon treated and insulated from the elements, keeping the footage rolling in most any weather conditions you may find yourself in.

Single Button Recording Operation

Even with gloves on, hitting the button is easy. Slide it forward and a beep indicates that VholdR is rolling. Slide it back and a beep indicates that it’s off. Each flick of the switch creates a new file. Want ten seconds of something? No problem, on and off. Want five minutes? No problem, on . . . and off.

Access

• Removable battery swap on the fly and extras available
• MicroSD card removable and 1GB = 50min. of action
• USB 2.0 cable included in the box
• Indicator lights green=go, yellow=1/3 left, red=uh oh.

Fine Line Processing

Smear kills action video. If a video processor can’t keep up with the action, the result is jagged lines and smeared images. So instead of relying on a software-based system, the VholdR utilizes a hardware-based processor dedicated to one thing – video.

Flexible Mounting

Where you put VholdR dictates what kind of video you?ll get. VholdR?s mounting options are designed to give you the flexibility to capture video in ways hardly anyone has predicted. We’ve planned for flat surfaces like helmets, boards, car hoods, windows, tabletops and more; vented surfaces like bike helmets, cages, backpacks and such; narrow gauge objects like handle bars, golf clubs, ski poles and hang glider frames; and of course large gauge framework such as windsurfing masts, bull horns, roll cages, dogs and whatever you can come up with.

• Weighing just 8 ounces, VholdR captures 30 fps at 640×480 resolution in MPEG4 format to removable microSD media, connecting to your computer via USB 2.0 cable.
• Lithium polymer battery is swappable.
• Memory and battery life are indicated via LED.
• It’s TRail Mount Interface attaches VholdR to nearly anything, including helmets, bicycles, goggles, roll cages and more.
• Its lens rotates 192 degrees, and utilizes twin lasers for image framing.
• VholdR’s ease of use is complemented by integrated software so you can share your moving videos in seconds.

Source: VholdR

VIO POV100 ULT Helmet Camera

The POV.1 Helmet Cam System is a cutting edge, fully integrated point-of-view (POV) video system that’s waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant.

The POV1 package includes EVERYTHING you need to get going: recording unit with LCD screen, camera head, 1 GB SD Card, batteries, USB cable, TV output cable, wireless remote, a versatile camera mounting kit for helmets and it is all nicely packaged in a specially designed carrying case that holds everything you need when you go filming! All you need is the POV1.

The POV1 easily connects to PC’s and MAC’s just like a Digital Camera – except the POV1 delivers DVD quality video with a few simple clicks. Drag & Drop right into your favorite video editors like iMovie, Movie Make, Adobe Premier, and more. If you’re interested in viewing your captured experiences before you get home, just attach the included TV cable and hook right up to the TV and your friends house.

• High-quality wearable video camera records with 720 x 480 resolution at 30fps
• New Wide Angle Lense with 98 Degree Horizontal Field Of View (110 Degree Diagonal)
• Ergonomic user interface design enables single-handed operation and hands-free video capture
• Modular mounting system provides camera stability while attached to helmets or other high impact gear
• Components are shock-resistant, water-resistant and dustproof for use in the most hazardous environments

Video:

• Frame rates: 30fps, 25fps, 24fps, 15fps
• Frame format: Crisp, NON-interlaced, Progressive Frame Video
• Resolutions: 720×480, 720×400, 640×480, 360×240
• Formats: MPEG4 AVI (DivX Codec) digital, NTSC/PAL analog
• Exposure control: Automatic smooth exposure control and white balance
Source: Helmet Camera Central

Immersive Media’s Geodesic-shaped Camera Rides the Wave, Captures 360-degree Action Video

 

Red Bull must have a lot of money because it’s now using some of the same technology as Google. Just in time for a pre-summer marketing blitz, Red Bull has partnered with Immersive Media to place a few of its impressive geodesic-shaped 360-degree cameras on the heads of their sponsored surfers. And despite the cool end result, they still look ridiculous and wildly uncomfortable.

The surfers put on 25 pounds of the gear, including the Dodeca 2360 Camera System, and captured 360-degree video that can be explored by the viewer like Google’s Street View. But instead of searching for the latest inappropriate Easter egg, you can get a pretty accurate idea of what top-notch surfing really feels like. Unfortunately, you won’t get to experience the other highs of the surfer lifestyle in 360-degree views. You know, such as going to parties and dating Brazilian models.

The  Dodeca 2360 Camera System is a camera system that takes in high-res video streams (at 2400×1200 pixels per frame, 30 frames per second), and captures the GPS coordinates of its motion. The camera can record for up to 3 hours at a time, which helps when the recording time sessions go over.

Source: Wired Magazine, Red Bull Surfing Videos.

 

Elephants Shoot Excellent Video

For the upcoming BBC documentary series Tiger – Spy in the Jungle, filmmakers enlisted the help of elephants to capture the tigers with hidden HD cameras. The large “trunk cam” (pictured here) was the most ludicrous of the devices carried by the elephants, while the smaller, lighter “tusk cam” proved to be easier for the elephants to carry for long periods of time. In addition, various log and rock cams were placed along the ground and activated by motion sensors when animals came close. Here’s what it looks like when a sloth bear checks out its reflection in the lens.

But the neatest thing from a production standpoint? Apparently elephants move so smoothly that the improvised footage resembles that shot with a Steadicam rig.

Source: BBC, Video.

3K Scarlet from RED

The price tag RED is delivering on this camera now is about $3000 USD (expected to changed as it did for the original RED), but if this is the real price for this camera we expect to be one of the biggest challenges for the prosumer market, as it has a better resolution than the leading HD cameras out now. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

• NEW 2/3″ MYSTERIUM X SENSOR
• 1-120 FPS (180FPS BURST)
• UP TO 100 MB/SEC REDCODE RAW AND RGB RECORDING TO DUAL COMPACT FLASH
• 4.8″ LCD
• 8X T2.8 RED ZOOM LENS
• FULL AUTO OR FULL MANUAL SHOOTING MODES
• HDMI and HD-SDI
• FIREWIRE 800 and USB2
• STILL MODE
• COMPATIBLE WITH MANY RED ONE ACCESSORIES
• WI-FI CONTROL

SPECIFICATIONS, DELIVERY DATES AND DESIGN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE… COUNT ON IT.

 

For the original RED camera:

The Red Mithbusters Video

 

Source: RED 

A-CAMSP16

The smallest, lightest and most affordable HD/Super 16 film camera in the world. A-Cam is compact enough to be carried and used wherever and whenever, and can be handled without complicated preparations.

A-Cam is ready to use directly out of the box,
delivered with:

 Kinoptik 9 mm f/1.5 cine lens
 Parallell mounted viewfinder
 12 V Lithium battery 
 2 rolls of KODAK colour negative film**

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight Measures Socket threads Lens mount Film format Film capacity Frame rate Shutter angle Time lapse Standard optics Power Viewfinder Ca 1,5 kg incl lens, film and batteries 238 mm x 108 mm x 64 mm 3/8″ and 1/4″ C Super 16 = 1:1,66 = 15:9  30,5 m/100 ft  6, 10,12.5, 18, 20, 24, 25, 30, 36, 37,5  160° 1 fps – 1 frame/24 h  Kinoptik 9 mm f/1.5  10,8-15 V Parallell mounted, non-reflex     Price: $7,500 USD

Source: IKONOSKOP