Panasonic announces 8K CMOS, 60 fps and HDR

Panasonic has decided to announce the creation of a 38 megapixel resolution sensor that can record 8K video at 60 fps, all while using a global shutter. Global shutters and organic sensors promise less distortion and greater dynamic range, but limitations have been traded off in the rush to develop high-resolution cameras. However, Panasonic claims to have cracked the code with a new “organic” chip that records 36 megapixels (or 8K resolution) at 60 fps at high dynamic range and all with a global shutter.

Features

It layers a light-sensitive coating (organic photoconductive film or OPF) on top of a CMOS chip with the CMOS used only for charge storage capacitors and the organic layer responsible for converting light into electrons. The sensor has two different modes, one for a wider range of light (high sensitivity) and one for deeper colors (high saturation) that allows it to capture a wider dynamic range in a single shot compared to other sensors.

These modes can be changed so that in high saturation mode, it is possible to capture data up to a light intensity of 450,000 electrons, or ten times the high sensitivity mode. In addition, since the camera can automatically control the sensitivity of the organic sensor by adjusting the voltage sent to the sensor (according to changing light conditions), photographers can eliminate ND filters.

However, there are no pending plans for actual use, but Panasonic claims that, in the future, it will incorporate OPF CMOS image sensor technology in various applications “such as broadcast cameras” and will contribute to the realization of “high-resolution, high-speed and high-precision imaging and detection functions.” Finally, Panasonic does not mention that the chip may appear in a camera in the short term, let alone its price.