Digital Camera Repair Blog

Ok seriously? So often people get caught up in the megapixel hype and just buy whatever the “geek” at the store tells them to buy its amazing. A camera is not better because it has a higher resolution sensor, it just takes bigger pictures. Bigger doesn’t always mean better. I’ve talked about this before, you want quality, not quantity.

Now Canon has announced they have developed a 120MP APS-H sized CMOS sensor. This is great, but just imagine what size memory card you would need to store a few snapshots of the kids! And how long is it going to take to transfer those pictures to your computer… where they will sit and you will never do anything with them?

The New Canon 120MP CMOS Sensor

The sensor will probably see life in high end equipment that you and I will never see. It’s interesting news, but has nothing to do with technology that we will see or use anywhere in the near future.

Here is the press release from the Canon website:

TOKYO, August 24, 2010—Canon Inc. announced today that it has successfully developed an APS-H-size^*1 CMOS image sensor that delivers an image resolution of approximately 120 megapixels (13,280 x 9,184 pixels), the world’s highest level^*2 of resolution for its size.

Compared with Canon’s highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor of the same size, comprising approximately 16.1 million pixels, the newly developed sensor features a pixel count that, at approximately 120 million pixels, is nearly 7.5 times larger and offers a 2.4-fold improvement in resolution.^*3

With CMOS sensors, while high-speed readout for high pixel counts is achieved through parallel processing, an increase in parallel-processing signal counts can result in such problems as signal delays and minor deviations in timing. By modifying the method employed to control the readout circuit timing, Canon successfully achieved the high-speed readout of sensor signals. As a result, the new CMOS sensor makes possible a maximum output speed of approximately 9.5 frames per second, supporting the continuous shooting of ultra-high-resolution images.

Canon’s newly developed CMOS sensor also incorporates a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video output capability. The sensor can output Full HD video from any approximately one-sixtieth-sized section of its total surface area.

Images captured with Canon’s newly developed approximately 120-megapixel CMOS image sensor, even when cropped or digitally magnified, maintain higher levels of definition and clarity than ever before. Additionally, the sensor enables image confirmation across a wide image area, with Full HD video viewing of a select portion of the overall frame.

Through the further development of CMOS image sensors, Canon will break new ground in the world of image expression, targeting new still images that largely surpass those made possible with film, and video movies that capitalize on the unique merits of SLR cameras, namely their high mobility and the expressive power offered through interchangeable lenses.

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Digital camera manufacturers keep cranking out new models trying to get you to spend your hard earned money on a new camera every few months. Do you honestly need a new camera if you’re happy with what you’ve got and it takes great pictures? Probably not.

If your camera needs to be repaired, and the repair costs more than the value of the camera (make sure you check with us and don’t rely on what Canon, Nikon or Sony tells you the repair will cost!!) or if it’s been dropped in water (sorry, but forget about trying to repair water damage) then yeah looking for a new camera is a good idea.

The Canon SD4000 and SD4500 have a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD, and the SX130 IS is a 12x optical zoom with image stabilization which is pretty darn cool. Here is a bit of the blurb from Canon about the new cameras…

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 19, 2010 – Further elevating the “Power” in PowerShot, Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, today announced three new high-performance PowerShot cameras – the PowerShot S95, the SD4500 IS and the SX130 IS Digital cameras. These cameras achieve photographic brilliance with Canon’s HS (High Sensitivity) SYSTEM for improved low-light shooting in the S95 and SD4500 IS cameras, High Definition (HD) video recording, High Dynamic Range (HDR) in the S95 camera and a more intelligent Smart AUTO mode, among a range of others. The pro-shooter seizing the last summer sunsets with the S95 camera, the dad recording his son leaving for college on the SD4500 IS model, the aunt capturing a photo of her nephew’s football team with the SX130 IS camera – these new PowerShot cameras showcase extraordinary image quality with every shot.

Via: http://www.usa.canon.com/

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Interested in the Canon SX20 IS? In a nutshell, it’s a great camera! If you are considering one I highly suggest you go for it, you won’t be disappointed.

-> We now sell new Canon cameras through our Amazon shop for your convenience! <-

For an amateur like me, it is an awesome camera. This camera seems perfectly fill the gap between high quality compact digital cameras and digital SLR cameras. The versatility, 20X optical zoom, f2.8 at minimum focal length and a hot shoe give it an incredible set of capabilities at about half the price of an entry SLR.  Now I can have one camera hanging around my neck that does everything my old equipment did. I was never content with the limitations of compact digital cameras and left the snap-shooting to my wife. This camera has opened up the photography hobby for me again. And, yes, I have the convenience of just taking snap shots too if I want to.

Here is what others are saying about their purchase of an SX20 IS:

-We bought the camera because we were going on a cruise and also because our granddaughter was starting t-ball and we wanted a camera with a better reaction time. It completely fulfilled our expectations. It took great photos while we were vacation, and also took great pictures of our granddaughter in action.

- My decision to purchase the SX20 IS was based on a desire to get an excellent still shot camera, with high capacity zoom, that also had HD Video (720p) capabilities. So, I began my research and spent many hours scouring the web to make an informed decision. I had narrowed my choice to the Canon SX20 IS and the Panasonic DMC-FZ35.

In the end I decided to go with Canon Powershot sx20 IS for a few key reasons:

#1. The articulating LCD (pull out, tilt/move) was a key factor, as I wanted to be able to shoot from many different angles. It came in handy very soon–the second time I used the camera–I was able to whip out the LCD and get some decent shots at a football game when I had to raise the camera high over my head to shoot over the folks standing in front of me.

#2. The ability to easily share video files. The .mov file format is a more widely accepted format, which can easily be shared (without processing/conversion). The files are accepted on sites such as You Tube. The files can be played with Quicktime and other media players (e.g. VLC). Although the Panasonic camera uses a format which is more compressed and allows more data to be stored on an SD card, the file format is not as wide spread and not as easy to share with others, without converting the file.

#3. Consumer Reports rankings for last year’s model: Canon #1, Pana #5 (SX10 IS & Pana DMC-FZ28). I suspect the SX20 IS will follow the same trend this year when Consumer Reports releases their test results for 2009.

#4. Canon takes AA batteries. This makes the camera slightly heavier, but you’ll always be able to get economical batteries in a pinch, without the need for buying a proprietary lithium ion battery. I recommend only using rechargeable batteries with any digital camera, they are excellent. I haven’t re-charged them yet and I’ve taken 120 pictures and 40 minutes plus of 720p video. I’ve also played back the pictures and movies on my TV/Projector and transferred all files to my computer, using the same batteries, without charging them. And they are “..still going…”

If you’re in the market to buy a new Canon digital camera we have them available through our shop, and you can’t go wrong with the SX20 IS I guarantee it!

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