The Hall
I’ve been to many events at the Jacob Javitz Center here in New York City, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the room transformed in the way that Canon has managed to transform it for Canon Expo 2015.
After walking through the show and seeing all that is here on display, there are a few significant things that stand out from the rest.
Forget 4K, 8K is the Future
Although 4k likely hasn’t hit your living room yet, 8k is clearly the future for video production. A year and a half ago when visiting NAB 2014 in Vegas it was clear 4k production was already the standard for all new projects, and they were hinting at 8k. Today, I’ve seen first hand Canon 8k displays and camera systems.
High Megapixel Counts
Next, Canon is most significantly making a splash with high megapixles. Canon released the Canon 5DS which is a very high-resolution camera a few months back. Just a week or two ago Canon announced a 250MP camera, that can read the writing on a jetliner from the ground. It is essentially a 5D Mark III with a 50MP sensor. Today, I had the opportunity to see the Canon M120. This is a 120MP functioning DSLR! It appears similar to a 1DX or 1DC, but contains a 120MP sensor. While the 250MP sensor seems destined for scientific and high-end applications, the 120MP sensor within this camera seems like something that maybe within reach within a few years.
Print Imaging
Printing technology is not something I personally think about too often, however I’m still amazed and blown away at the images my Canon Pixma 9000 printer produces. It far exceeds most mainstream consumer print services, so being welcomed to a room with new high end printers was quite exciting. These were all prototype printers, but capable of extremely high resolution printing, and you may think “what difference does it make?” You need to see it to believe it. It makes a big difference!
Canon also had a prototype printing system that was a traditional inkjet system, but using UV instant drying methods they are able to create layers of ink. The end result is astonishing replicas of oil paintings, wall paper, and more. They look real and most importantly feel real and are textured identical to the originals.
Virtual Reality
I’ve had the opportunity to play with an Oculus Rift. It’s quite an amazing experience looking around in a 3D 360 degree world, but Canon has elevated this same experience with video. Having actors look you in the eye, while you look around a room is eerily uncomfortable and amazing at the same time! There was no name for this prototype, but I will dig deeper into the experience later!
I hope to get more into each significant bullet point later in the day, but wanted to give an update!