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Canon has made significant progress in developing SPAD sensors. They started with a 1-megapixel sensor in May 2021 and increased it to 3.2 megapixels by December. Their latest development is the Canon MS-500 camera that incorporates this new sensor.
Unlike CMOS sensors, SPAD sensors count the number of photons they receive, which results in noise-free images and the ability to capture full-color images in the dark without infrared light. However, there are still limitations in terms of resolution compared to CMOS sensors.
The SPAD technology shows great promise, although it is still in its early stages. It may potentially replace CMOS sensors in the future. Nevertheless, the manufacturing process and challenges associated with the technology need to be overcome.
The Canon MS-500 is not your typical video camera. It offers various features like 3G/HD-SDI output, an RJ45 LAN socket, and a Genlock connector for synchronizing multiple cameras. However, it lacks an HDMI port and appears to use an unconventional power connector.
Despite being an interchangeable lens camera from Canon, it does not use the RF mount. Instead, it utilizes a built-in B4 bayonet lens mount commonly used in 2/3-inch broadcast lenses. This allows MS-500 users to take advantage of Canon’s extensive range of broadcast lenses.
Although the MS-500 is primarily designed for surveillance purposes, some filmmakers might experiment with it for creative movie sequences. It is worth noting that this camera comes with a hefty price tag of $25,200, not including the cost of a lens.