This morning, Canon U.S.A. Inc. announced the arrival of the ME20F-SH, its first “multi-purpose” camera that can be used for feature film production, reality television and night time surveillance. This is due to its extreme low light capability – it has an ISO sensitivity of over 4,000,000. Add to that a maximum gain of 75 dB, andone wonders if it will be capable of X-ray vision as well as shooting in the dark.
I cannot wrap my mind around what a night timevisual would look like at that ISO. But the ME20F-SH will contain a CMOS sensor with pixels measuring up to 2.26 megapixels. However, each pixel is very large… several times larger than some of Canon’s more high-end cameras. The oversized pixel is why the ME20F-SH can take in a lot of light. This also promises reduced image noise while offering wide dynamic range through Canon’s Log and Wide DR technology.
The ME20F-SH employs an EF mount similar to most of Canon’s SLR and Cine range of cameras. It also supports 3G/HD-SDI and HDMI output for external recorders, 2.5mm and 3.5mm stereo jacks , and an RS-422 jack for desktop editing. But herein lies the rub:although Canon expects the ME20F-SH to be available in December of this year, the suggested retail price is $30,000. So, budding cinematographers take note. That’s hefty price tag for a camera that has no internal recording capability.
Specs:
• 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor. Approx 2.26 million pixels
• Less than 0.0005 lux (at maximum 75dB gain and an ISO equivalency of 4 million)
• Canon EF mount
• ND filter with two density levels
• Canon Log, Wide DR
• 3G/HD-SDI and HDMI outputs (1080p/1080i and 720p for SDI)
• Remote terminal for 2.5mm stereo mini-jack and round 8-pin jack for RS-422
• 3.5 stereo mini-jack microphone terminal
• One-shot AF
• Auto exposure (combined interlocking)
• Automatic, natural light, light bulb, Setting A and B white balance (range from 2000 to 15000 degrees)
• 2x, 4x digital teleconverter
• 4 pin XLR and terminal block 2-pin jack power input
• Body dimensions: 4 inches by 4.5 inches by 4.4 inches (approximately)
• Weight: 2.4 lbs (approximately)
