Canon releases LI7070SAC and LI7070SAM CMOS sensors with enhanced near-infrared sensitivity for use in surveillance, industrial and medical applications
Melville, NY, Jan. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canon USA, Inc. announced today that its parent company, Canon Inc. (TYO:) announced the release of two new 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensors, the LI7070SAC (color) and the LI7070SAM (monochrome), with approximately 2.12 (1,936 x 1,096) effective megapixels, for applications in categories such as security, industry and medical uses. They feature improved near-infrared imaging sensitivity, which is increasingly in demand, a high dynamic range imaging function for working in environments with significant contrasts between light and dark, and the ability to capture high sensitivity in low-light environments.
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for near-infrared imaging capabilities
surveillance and industrial cameras. Accordingly, there has been an increase in the use of for
CMOS sensors with near-infrared radiation capabilities including traffic monitoring and industrial applications. The near-infrared sensitivity of the LI7070SAC is increased approximately 2.4 times1 compared to the LI70502 (released in October 2020) which has similar dimensions of 1/1.8 inch and approximately 2.12 effective megapixels. This enables tracking in dark environments that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The sensors can also be used in industrial applications such as inspection in dark areas and medical uses such as fluorescein angiography.
In addition to the near-infrared capability mentioned above, both sensors have an HDR drive mode that extends 120dB through a double-exposure method that stacks two images with different exposure times. This enables high-quality images to be captured while limiting overexposure and crushed shadows in conditions where there is a large difference in brightness, such as when illuminating an inspection light inside a tunnel. The sensor achieves a range of 75 dB even when operating during normal driving mode.
The outstanding low-light imaging capability of these sensors further expands their applicability. Although the size of the sensor is compact, the composition of the pixels has been designed to enable high sensitivity, while simultaneously reducing the noise level. The LI7070SAC can record full-HD video even in low-light environments with a measurement of 0.08 lux, while the LI7070SAM operates at a minimum of 0.04 lux3. This makes them particularly suitable for nighttime surveillance of public buildings, roads and traffic facilities for use in cameras equipped with underwater drones and cameras used in microscopes, which require compact image sensors with a high degree of sensitivity.
You can learn more about the LI7070SA NIR here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UxFCHat5c0, and for more information about Canon CMOS sensors, visit: https://canon-cmos-sensors.com/
About Canon USA Inc.
Canon USA, Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business and industrial digital imaging solutions for the United States, Latin American and Caribbean markets. With approximately $29.4 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc., has been ranked among the top 10 US patents granted for 41 consecutive years as of 2024. Canon USA is dedicated to this Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To learn more about Canon, visit www.usa.canon.com and connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/canonusa.
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Based on the number of patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and compiled by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.
1 Color sensor only.
2 The quantum efficiency of the LI7070SAC at a wavelength of 850 nm (near infrared wavelength) is 33%, while the LI7050 is 14%.
3 The estimated illumination level from the full moon is 0.3 lux, while that from the crescent moon is 0.01 lux.
- Front view of the LI7070SAC CMOS sensor
Eloise PisanoCanon U.S.A., Inc.episano@cusa.canon.com
Source: Canon USA, Inc.
