Canon develops gigantic sensor!

[luigi]

I guess this can redefine the future of astrophotography!

http://www.canonrumors.com/


http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/cmos.jpg

Not sure how this is going to reach the public as a product but wow!
Wow! wow!

[NorthernLight]

wow! one would need a lot of glass to illuminate that monster. looks like something for the new ELT in Chile.

[renormalised]

That will never become a publicly used CMOS sensor. I'm afraid that'll stay in the hands of the professionals.

[Kal]

Canon website (http://www.canon.com/news/2010/aug31e.html) itself running the story (not that I don't trust a website with rumors in it's url ;) )

[Octane]

Following on from the announcement of the 120 megapixel sensor, it's great to read this.

However, I suspect this was commissioned by government for special purposes, such as spy satellites or spectral satellite imaging.

The sensor and glass required to resolve detail would likely end up in the 8-figure range.

Having said that, it goes to show why Canon is so good at this stuff. Go, team!

H

[renormalised]

I'd say so H.....definitely a sensor to be used in a remote sensing application. Probably end up on the next generation of Earth resources satellites.

It wouldn't end up on government spy satellites....not US ones, at least. The NSA have their own chip manufacturing plant at Fort Meade. They've probably already got chips as big or larger on their latest LaCrosse and Keyhole satellites.

[luigi]

If they have the technology to make that sensor, maybe we are not far away from a medium or large format sensor available for the public.
I guess it´s just a matter of time

[sejanus]

medium format sensors have been available for ages

[luigi]

Not from Canon.

[sejanus]

well they don't make medium format bodies, or lenses that project a large enough image circle to illuminate one so why would they?