Kodak’s TrueSense Introduces a 4K Four Thirds Video Sensor
Interesting development from TrueSense which is a spin off from Kodak after they went through bankruptcy. This is a 4K sensor in the Four Thirds format. This means that Micro Four Third cameras could use this sensor like the AF-100 which is the only cinema camera that uses the MFT format. Wouldn’t this be nice for a AF-100? I would rather have a 2K camera because 4K would be aPITA to work with since I only deliver in HD but 2K would give me a little more resolution to work with and thats a good manageable size. ARRI Alexa for example is a 2K camera with an amazingly good codec. Feature films are shot in 2K and they look amazing on the big screen.
TrueSense is the same company that provides the sensor for the Digital Bolex. That image from that camera so far is looking very nice. I’m no engineer so a lot of the article is foreign to me but I do know one thing. I’m glad I didn’t sell my Micro Four Thirds lenses. I have a feeling we will see a Micro Four Thirds 4K camera soon. Panasonic should just buy this up and stick it in a updated AF-100. Why not? The Digital Bolex D16 image is very filmic.
Digital Bolex D16 Downtown LA Test Shoot from Michael Plescia on Vimeo.
We shall see who will take this sensor and run with it. Who knows? The Digital Bolex folks already have experience with TruSense sensors. I would like to see a 2K MFT camera. It’s a great format and I love my GH3. Being able to use those lenses on a cinema camera again would be awesome!
- Resolution: 4000 x 3000
- Total Resolution: 12 MP
- Pixel Size µm: 4.7
- Diag. mm: 23.5
- Max Frame Rate (fps): 70
- Configurations: Monochrome Color
- Optical Format: 4/3
Key Features:
- Global shutter and rolling shutter
- Very fast frame rate
- High NIR sensitivity
- Multiple regions of interest
- Interspersed video streams
According to EOSHD, the CMOS chip is capable of shooting 4k video at up to 120fps, has a dynamic range of “72 db (11 stops) in rolling shutter mode but this drops to just 55 db in global shutter mode.”
KAC-12040 Image Sensor
The KAC-12040 Image Sensor is a high-speed 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor in a 4/3” optical format based on a 4.7 μm 5T CMOS platform. The image sensor features very fast frame rate, excellent NIR sensitivity, and flexible readout modes with multiple regions of interest (ROI). The readout architecture enables use of 8, 4, or 2 LVDS output banks for full resolution readout up to 70 frames per second.
Each LVDS output bank consists of up to 8 differential pairs operating at 160 MHz DDR for a 320 MHz data rate per bank. The pixel architecture allows Rolling Shutter operation for motion capture with optimized Dynamic Range or Global Shutter for precise still image capture.
The image sensor has a pre-configured QFHD (4 x 1080p, 16:9) video mode, fully programmable ROI for windowing, programmable sub-sampling, and reverse readout (flip and mirror). Two ADCs can be configured for 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit or 14-bit conversion and output.
Additional features include Interspersed video streams (Dual-Video), on-chip calibration, black clamping, Overflow pixel for blooming reduction, black-sun correction (anti-eclipse), column and row noise correction, and integrated timing generation with SPI control, 4:1 and 9:1 averaging decimation modes.
– See more at: http://www.truesenseimaging.com/products/cmos/73-KAC-12040#sthash.w60gOJUg.dpuf
Thanks for coming by! Please help support my site by using the links on this page or bookmark these from my favorite retailers, B&H, Adorama, Zacuto, Amazon.com & Think Tank Photo. Using the links cost you nothing extra, but it helps offset the cost of running my blog. Thanks again for coming by eriknaso.com!
Filed in: 4K • New Release
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
