the new patent of Canon to increase DR

http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2013-11-11

It's in Japanese but you can use google translator to help read it.

Looks to be more of the "dual pixel AF" thing to me. But then, I'm not an engineer. It will probably lead to better AF during video and maybe a bit better high iso. Things that we don't really need more of (IMHO).

It is a patent pending on the image plane phase difference AF Canon is superior even to the low sensitivity to high sensitivity. One pixel, is divided into two sub-pixels in the image plane the phase difference AF, and be to the sensitivity characteristics different this seems to enlarge the sensitivity of reception.

Patent Document Full Description · Taishaku own solutions

Laid-Open 2013-228692 designation
Publication date 2013.11.7
Out May Day 2012.3.29
Manufactured by Canon nn Full Licence
Image plane phase difference AF
Low light sensitivity Ministry Ministry を と light sensitivity with su ru

There already are two new "Canon-bodies" with higher DR and higher resolution. The A7 and A7R. These cameras are made and sold by Sony, but what does it matter?

Waiting for Canon to improve their sensor tech is like waiting for rain in the Atacama desert. Canon is deeply in love with video, and they don't seem to care much about still photography improvements.

When / if they release a new sensor with higher DR, higher res (and no shadow banding), it will come in a 7.000 dollar 1D-body.. So yeah, keep waiting if you want.

Copidosoma wrote in post #16448049
It will probably lead to better AF during video and maybe a bit better high iso. Things that we don't really need more of (IMHO).

Could not agree more!

Copidosoma wrote in post #16448049
Looks to be more of the "dual pixel AF" thing to me. But then, I'm not an engineer. It will probably lead to better AF during video and maybe a bit better high iso. Things that we don't really need more of (IMHO).

Lowner wrote in post #16448130
Could not agree more!

Yup. Video recording night vision (high ISO) devices = Canon's top priority these days.

English is not my first language and I don't know the correct technical terms. Here is my understand about the patent. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If you have tried dual ISO of magic lantern, you should know how powerful it is in terms of expanding dynamic range. 3 stops more DR can be achieved using that method. The idea of this patent is actually very similar to dual ISO , but done at pixel level instead of interleaved lines. Therefore it will eliminated the main drawback of the dual ISO method : when combine two interleaved picture frames together, resolution is lost.

In this patent, for each pixel it contains two units with different sensibility, the lower sensibility unit will take care of the detail of highlight, and the higher sensibility unit will take care of the shadow. After combine them together (on pixel level), you get much better dynamic range with details on both ends. This patent is mainly for expanding DR in my understanding.