Canon Announces Dual Pixel AF upgrade for C300 cameras

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Canon Announces Dual Pixel AF upgrade for C300 camera

In an interesting development Canon has announced that it will introduce the dual pixel AF technology in the C300 camera as a paid upgrade. This technology was first introduced in the Canon EOS 70D DSLR. Later Canon announced that it will introduce that technology in the Canon C100 camera which is the entry level camera in the Cinema camera series. I was really excited about this technology and had requested Canon India to give us this technology in the C300 camera. I was promised that the request would be relayed to Canon Japan. Finally Canon has listened. A big Thank You to Canon for listening to the customer.

With the dual pixel AF technology one can use all the EF lenses with autofocus ability and smoothly focus on the subjects. There was a time when the autofocus technology was in its infancy. Today the technology has improve to such an extent that we are demanding this technology. This technology will help us in shooting events, sports and to capture the fast and erratic movements in wildlife. In US this upgrade will cost 500 USD. The India pricing is likely to be announced later.

This dual pixel AF upgrade will be available in May 2014.

DUAL PIXEL AF TECHNOLOGY
HOW DOES THE DUAL PIXEL CMOS WORK?
The EOS C300 camera with Dual Pixel AF technology features a CMOS sensor that consists of an array of pixels that each feature two separate photodiodes. By continuously comparing their outputs during AF mode, phase-difference autofocus helps ensure non-blurred images and smooth focus transitions even when the talent and/or camera are moving. The new feature places a high priority on maintaining sharp focus while, providing a natural, smooth focus transitions with select Canon autofocus EF lenses – including newer-generation STM lenses – which offer even smoother and quieter operation.


After this modification, the EOS C300 camera's Continuous AF function active area represents 20% of the image vertically and 25% horizontally, yielding a very large, centrally located autofocus zone. The AF lock mode allows you to set focus and hold it, allowing you to change framing while maintaining the original point of focus.

DUAL PIXEL CMOS AF BENEFITS

FAST, SMOOTH AF DURING VIDEO CAPTURE
A modified EOS C300 camera's set-up menu offers two options for “AF Mode” – One-Shot AF and Continuous Autofocus. The AF Lock function can optionally be set to one the camera's assignable buttons. During shooting, you simply press this button to lock the focus preventing the camera from refocusing, and then press it again to re-enable continuous AF.


The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology helps provide smooth and consistent autofocus, so that focus transitions are natural looking and that subjects remain focused even as they move. The compatibility of Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Canon EF autofocus lenses combines outstanding optical tools with a wide range of creative options.

By using the Contrast AF system to supplement the EOS C300 camera's new Dual Pixel CMOS AF the camera can determine which direction to initially drive the lens resulting in reduced focused hunting.

Certain images and effects simulated.

FASTER ONE-SHOT AF MODE

The combination of Contrast AF and Dual Pixel CMOS AF helps ensure that the EOS C300 camera's autofocus system initially drives the lens in the correct direction resulting in faster focus acquisition. The modified EOS C300 will focus up to twice as fast as an unmodified camera, with a more natural look with no focus overshooting. Because the current One-Shot AF mode uses only Contrast AF, movements can sometimes be jerky with overshoot errors.