CMOS technology camera sensors need a good light source to record videos and photos. Without sufficient light, the noise issue can be seen and so far it has not been able to be solved 100%. Canon has created a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor technology that solves the issue in 2021. This week they finally launched the Canon MS-500 as the first camera with a SPAD sensor.
According to Canon, with the SPAD sensor that detects light photons, color video can be taken in pitch black. Equivalent to only 0.001 Lux which is a moonless night in the sky. In comparison the night light with a floating moon is 0.05–0.3 Lux. The MS-500 camera is specially designed for use in the security industry for monitoring at night.
This SPAD sensor is only 3.2 MP but detects light photons that when touching the sensor will be multiplied up to a million times. This allows photos and videos to be taken in situations where the CMOS sensor will only capture black frames. According to Canon, when the MS-500 is paired with a zoom lens, it can take clear photos and videos of objects even if they are several kilometers away.
The Canon MS-500 camera is sold at a price of $ 25,200 (~RM 114,900) starting this September without a lens. It can accept any lens with a B4 mount used on professional videography cameras.