For now , there ’s really only one way of life to catch an HDR prototype when ignition condition vary wildly across the physique : you take multiple stab with different exposures , and then assemble a final composite plant using the in good order reveal areas from the various images . But that could soon be on the elbow room out , with a new Canon sensor allowing for multiple exposure preferences across different region of the sensor .
The tv camera in most forward-looking smartphones now wholly automate the process of creating a high dynamic range — or HDR — image , quickly get a series of image with just a individual shutter press , and then using reasoning image processing to automatically merge them into a net exposure where everything in the shot appear right peril . Even digital cameras can automate it to some degree through exposure bracketing and automated software in mail - yield .
Capturing HDR images this way requires fairly controlled conditions , admit a subject that does n’t move between multiple vulnerability , and some decent processing power to mechanically moil out composites after the fact . Canon ’s new sensor does out with all those limitations .
Image:Canon
alternatively of capturing a serial of images with varying exposures , the Modern 12.6MP ( 4,152 x 3,024 ) , one - inch , back - illuminate stacked CMOS sensing element is divided up into 736 smaller region that can each seize a small part of the larger frame at a different exposure . The way photographic camera sensors work now , the exposure is a spheric setting for every pel , but here , different regions of the sensor can be conform to account for either a lack or abundance of luminousness .
Canon ab initio develop this sensor for use in more industrial applications , such as security cameras , but it helps exemplify the usefulness of this new approach . Capturing an range of a automobile that ’s midway through leave behind a parking lot stupefy a big challenge , as the front destruction of the fomite is illuminated by the bright sunshine while the back one-half of the vehicle is still bathed in shadower .
Trying to capture an image that right let out the intact vehicle , including a legible licence shell and a visible driver , using conventional camera applied science is impossible without multiple picture . But Canon ’s new sensing element works alongside dedicated image processing CPUs to simultaneously calculate and set the exposure for all 736 regions of the sensor at once , give rise an image where all parts of the car are properly exposed . The system also work out tight enough to catch video at up to 60 frames per second .
Images of a car leaving a parking garage captured by a camera with a conventional sensor that either overexposes or under exposes parts of the image (left, center), compared to an image of the car captured by Canon’s new image sensor that properly exposes the entire frame (right).Image:Canon
The other reward to a sensor that can manage multiple exposures at once is that it greatly keep down the amount of data being propel around , so it ’s potentially more cost - efficient when it comes to its back - end hardware needs . Again , a welfare that chiefly benefits industrial uses of this technology , but it ’s not hard to fancy a sensor like this finally discover its fashion into consumer devices , taking a television camera ’s auto - photograph functionality and make it completely idiot - proof .
CanonDigital cameraDigital photographyVisual liberal arts
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