Canon has announced two new sensors. The LI7080SA, a Super 35mm 4K sensor, and the LI5030SA, a 35mm full size 19-megapixel sensor equipped with a global shutter that exposes all pixels simultaneously.
Out of the two new sensors, the LI7080SA looks to be the one that is most likely to be used in a digital cinema camera.
LI7080SA
The LI7080SA is being touted as a 4K compatible Super35mm 10.8 megapixel CMOS sensor that is suitable for high-end security cameras and cinema cameras.
There isn’t a ton of information about this sensor available, but according to Canon, it utilizes High-speed signal readout technology and it has an effective pixel readout of 4536 x 2400 in 14-bit at up to 120fps.
The sensor has a pixel pitch of 6.4 µm which is fairly similar to the 6.075 µm of the ALEV-IV sensor used in the ARRI ALEXA 35.
What future digital cameras we are likely to see this sensor used in is still a mystery. It is interesting to see all of these Super35 sized sensors starting to appear after ARRI announced the ALEXA 35.
LI5030SA
The LI5030SA is equipped with a global shutter that exposes all pixels simultaneously.
With a pixel pitch of 6.4μm Canon claims that this sensor is able to achieve high dynamic range and low noise. The physical size of the sensor is 5688 x 3336 and it is capable of capturing up to 57.99fps in 12-bit, or 60fps in 5688 x 3240.
It is unclear whether or not this sensor is going to end up in any digital cinema camera as Canon has a myriad of different sensors that they develop.
