Panasonic partner Towerjazz announces 150 Megapixel sensor.

Share

What you see here on top is the 150 Megapixel sensor developed by Panasonic partner Towerjazz. along with another partner (Gpixel). It’s made for the medical and industrial applications and has quite amazing specs. Image sensor world reports:

Gpixel’s GMAX3005 is a monochrome image sensor with 150MP 5.5um-sized active pixels, and is capable of running at 10fps at full resolution with higher frame rates achieved in row-windowing mode. This “wafer-scale” sensor has an 167.6mm x 30.1mm chip size including 165mm x 27.5mm photon-sensitive area having 30,000×5,000 pixel array. GMAX3005 has 16-bit on-chip ADC with 12-bit ENOB, and 120 LVDS output pairs running at 200Mbps. The sensor consumes less than 2.5W at full frame rate in full resolution. GMAX3005 reaches a noise level of less than 4e-, a dynamic range of 75.4dB, and over 70% quantum efficiency at 550nm wavelength. GMAX3005 has a dark current as low as 10e-/s/pixel at 32ºC, which makes long exposure possible even without active cooling.

Back in December Panasonic announced a partnerhsip with TowerJazz (article here). And this is the full press release via Towerjazz.com:

TowerJazz and Gpixel Announce World’s Highest Resolution, 150 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Image Sensor

Targets China’s fast growing medical, industrial and scientific imaging markets

LONDON — (BUSINESS WIRE) — TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader, and Gpixel, Inc., a custom IC design house in China, announced today at Image Sensors 2014, the release of Gpixel’s world’s highest resolution CMOS image sensor using TowerJazz’s TS18IS technology. Gpixel’s 150 megapixel full-frame CMOS image sensor (GMAX3005) will target the demanding medical, industrial and scientific imaging markets. According to a 2014 image sensors report by Yole, sensors for automotive, machine vision, security and surveillance were ranked as fast emerging markets with a CAGR over 20% each. The new sensor from Gpixel and additional products expected to be released this year will answer the growing demand in China for high end image sensors.

“We believe that an intelligent imaging system is essential for all future smart ICs. The core of such an imaging system is a high performance, robust, reliable and integrated image sensor. We chose TowerJazz’s CMOS image sensor manufacturing process due to its excellent pixel performance, stitching technology for wafer scale die size, and its outstanding pixel and process customization capabilities,” said Dr. Xinyang Wang, Founder & CEO, Gpixel, Inc. “We believe China is on its way to become the biggest market in the world for high-end image sensor products and TowerJazz, as our strategic partner, is critical to our success.”

“We are pleased Gpixel is starting the production ramp of their high resolution image sensor and we are confident they will grow rapidly to address China’s rising demand in the high end CMOS image sensor market,” said Dr. Avi Strum, Vice President and General Manager, CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit, TowerJazz. “Gpixel’s GMAX3005 was a first time success due to Gpixel’s design engineers’ very high skills and knowledge of CIS design. We believe Gpixel is the most interesting and promising CIS company in China today.”

Please visit TowerJazz at Image Sensors 2014 (booth #4) at Park Plaza Victoria, London to learn more about its CMOS image sensor technology.

About GMAX3005
Gpixel’s GMAX3005 is a monochrome CMOS image sensor, offering a world record 150MP active pixel resolution, and is capable of running at ten frames per second at full frame with even higher frame rates achieved in row-windowing mode. This “wafer-scale” sensor has an astonishing 167.6mm x 30.1mm chip size including 165mm x 27.5mm photon-sensitive area. GMAX3005 has 16-bit on-chip ADC with 12-bit ENOB, and 120 LVDS output pairs running at 200Mbps. The sensor consumes less than 2.5W at full frame rate in full resolution.

GMAX3005 sits in an ultra-flat 395-pin PGA ceramic package with excellent heat dissipation and reliability. GMAX3005 is ideal for applications that require high sensitivity; it reaches a noise level of less than 4e-, a dynamic range of 75.4dB, and over 70% quantum efficiency at 550nm wavelength. GMAX3005 has a dark current as low as 10e-/s/pixel at 32ºC, which makes long exposure possible even without active cooling. These performance results place it in the category of high end industrial grade sensors matching the capabilities of the best sensors available in the market today.

About Gpixel, Inc.
Gpixel Inc. is a Chinese company specialized in providing high-end customized and off-the-shelf CMOS image sensor solutions for industrial, medical, and scientific applications. The company was founded in 2013 by experienced CMOS image sensor designers and semiconductor physicists. In less than two years, Gpixel has filed more than 10 patent applications, covering from global shutter pixel, HDR pixel, low power and high speed AD converters. Gpixel products focus on extremely high resolution (over 100Mpix), very low noise (<2e-), high dynamic range (>100dB) and ultra-high speed (>2Gpix/s) CMOS image sensor applications. Gpixel is committed to continuously innovate and work in close cooperation with its customers to deliver the most state-of-art image sensor technologies and products. For more information, please visit www.gpixelinc.com.

About TowerJazz
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM)(TASE: TSEM), its fully owned U.S. subsidiary Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. and its fully owned Japanese subsidiary TowerJazz Japan, Ltd., operate collectively under the brand name TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader. TowerJazz manufactures integrated circuits, offering a broad range of customizable process technologies including: SiGe, BiCMOS, Mixed-Signal/CMOS, RFCMOS, CMOS Image Sensor, Power Management (BCD), and MEMS capabilities. TowerJazz also provides a world-class design enablement platform that enables a quick and accurate design cycle. In addition, TowerJazz provides (TOPS) Transfer Optimization and development Process Services to IDMs and fabless companies that need to expand capacity. TowerJazz offers multi-fab sourcing with two manufacturing facilities in Israel, one in the U.S., and one in Japan. For more information, please visit www.towerjazz.com.

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect TowerJazz’s business is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority and Jazz’s most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as were filed with the SEC, respectively. Tower and Jazz do not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.

Share

A unique deal: E-M10 with limited art print deal in Finland!

Share

For once this is quite a unique deal! Olympus in Finland (via Dealsrunner) is giving out to the first 100 OM-D buyers a signed Ross Halfin print! I would like to see more of such “art-bundles” in other countries too.

The E-M10 arrived in Europe (Courtesy of FotoHansKeuzekamp).

The E-M10 is now shipping in many European countries like Holland (FotoHansKeuzekamp), Wexphotographic (UK),

Qcamera posted a full E-M10 review and writes: “I’ll go out on a limb: the E-M10 is the first camera ever made that can take pro-quality photos with reasonable flexibility, and still fit in your pocket.

Store links for US and Europe:
Special page with all new products at Amazon.
E-M10 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama , GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
Olympus SP-100 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus TG-850 iHS at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus ECG-1 Black Camera Grip for E-M10 at Amazon, Adorama.
Olympus 9mm f8.0 Fisheye Body Cap Lens at Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex Uk.
Olympus V321200BW000 Macro Converter MCON-P02 (Black) at Amazon,

 

Share

GH4 Hands-On Field Test by TheCameraStoreTV!

Share

Chris and Jordan from TheCameraStoreTV tested the GH4. And once you will finish to watch this video you will want to buy a GH4 :)

North American GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
GH4 camera at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek (Click here).
GH4 camera with interface unit at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,998

European GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.

 

Share

Full Olympus E-M10 test at Dpreview and DxOmark who says the camera is a “Mini marvel”!

Share


Dpreview (Click here) posted the full E-M10 in depth review. The camera earns the Gold Award with a 80% overall score. And I particularly like that part of their conclusion:

The E-M10 is truly an impressive little camera. It holds its own against entry-level DSLRs in terms of image quality and handling, and beats them all in terms of direct control.

And DxOmark (Click here) tested the sensor and writes that overall the camera is a “mini marvel“!

It really brings it to the point! Great camera! And now Olympus, let’s bring some new PEN too :)

Store links for US and Europe:
Special page with all new products at Amazon.
E-M10 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama , GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
Olympus SP-100 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus TG-850 iHS at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus ECG-1 Black Camera Grip for E-M10 at Amazon, Adorama.
Olympus 9mm f8.0 Fisheye Body Cap Lens at Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex Uk.
Olympus V321200BW000 Macro Converter MCON-P02 (Black) at Amazon,

Share

New GH4 test videos (with 4K file for download)

Share

GH4 first 4K shots in Paris (Pre Serial Camera with Beta Firmware) from Emmanuel Pampuri on Vimeo.

The video can be download as original 4K file which is extraordinary! You have to login into the vimeo account to get the download link! Pampuri also posted his first impressions at Pampuri.net.

And here are more test videos:


Panasonic GH4 2fps 1920×1080 24p


Panasonic GH4 – CineLike and Master Pedestal features for Filmmakers

 

North American preorders, shipping date and price:
GH4 camera at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek (Click here).
GH4 camera with interface unit at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,998

Here is the updated GH4 preorder list:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.

 

Share

Nocticron beats the Fuji 56mm in terms of optical performance (says Admiringlight)

Share

On top you can watch the Leica Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2 lens video review made by frugalfilmmakers. But the big question of the moment is, can the lens beat the optical performance of the $600 cheaper Fuji 56mm f/1.2 lens? Both lenses have been released at about the same time, both have the same f/1.2 speed at the same focal length (85mm FF equivalent). While the Nocticorn is much more expensive it also has a built-in lens stabilization (the Fuji has not) and a faster AF performance. Admiringlight had the lucky chance to test both lenses at the same time and writes:

  • Wide open, the Panasonic Leica has notably higher contrast straight out of camera.  It really has remarkable contrast for an f/1.2 lens. You can process the Fuji images with a simple contrast adjustment in post to match this, but it doesn’t get that high contrast pop until about f/2.2 straight out of camera.
  • The Fuji exhibits some spherical aberration wide open, which may show as a glow with high contrast subjects such as white text on a black background.  The Panasonic Leica exhibits extremely minimal spherical aberration.
  • While both lenses can show some Longitudinal CA at wide apertures, the Nocticron displays it much more readily.   High contrast areas immediately in front and behind the focus point display as a magenta or green fringe.  Still, both lenses do a decent job in this department considering the speed.
  • Price.  Here’s it’a s huge win for the Fuji, coming in at $999 vs. the $1599 of the Nocticron.  You do get optical image stabilization with the Leica, but I’m not sure that makes up the full $600 difference between the two lenses.

So overall the Panasonic wins the performance test. But it’s up to you to judge if that edge in performance, the in lens IS and faster AF are worth the $600 price difference. Be sure to read the full review at Admiringlight to learn more about the lenses!

You can buy the lens at Amazon US (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). In UK at Wexphotographic (Click here). In Germany at Redcoon (Click here), Technikdirekt (Click here).

P.S.: Nocticron vs A7+Canon 85mm lens by Derrick Pang.

Share