Could the Canon EOS R5 Receive a Dual Gain Output Sensor?

When Canon released the Cinema EOS C300 Mark III, one of the features that piqued filmmakers' interest was the newly developed Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor. According to Canon, the sensor can offer some hefty latitude while still maintaining low noise levels since the sensor reads out each photodiode at two different gains. Essentially, the sensor produces two images and then stitches them back together for a cleaner look that eliminates temporal artifacts.

Since the technology is Canon's latest innovation, will it make its way to the upcoming 8K EOS R5. Before pondering that question, let's talk sensors and DGO.

Photosites_photodiodes2 Photosites can have a number of photodiodesCredit: Canon, NFS Illustration

Film cameras are essentially optic-based, and it's the film that's sensitive to light. Digital cameras are different in that the sensor is what's sensitive to light. So how do digital sensors work? Without diving too deep, the surface of a sensor is covered in photosites. Usually in a grid pattern. Each photosite represents a pixel, or picture element. And each photosite can have a number of light capturing semiconductors called photodiodes. But this process only creates a grayscale image. To produce a color image, a color filter array is placed over each photosite. The most common being a Bayer array. Another is Foveon.

It's important not to confuse photosites with pixels. They are two different things (though they are often used interchangeably). A photosite is the area on a sensor that converts light into voltage which then becomes an image. A pixel is the result of that recording. So, a sensor doesn't have pixels, it has photosites (and photodiodes) and a recorded file doesn't have photosites, it has pixels.

Canon's Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor uses two photodiodes for each photosite. Each photodiode captures a single frame of the exact same image but at different gain levels. One image is low gain, low noise. The second image is at a higher gain and adds saturation. The two images are then combined, producing a better-resolved image. Canon says with DGO, the EOS C300 Mark III achieves up to 16+ stops of dynamic range in HDR. If accurate, that's simply nuts as it would tout the most dynamic range of any available camera.

There is a caveat to the DGO sensor. The EOS C300 Mark III has different sensor modes, Super 35 and Super 16. It works in both modes, in 4K, 2K, and all available XAVC modes, but will turn off when it comes to higher frame rates. Currently, the maximum frame rate in Super 35 is 4K 60p, and in Super 16, it's 4K 120p. Any higher frame rate in either mode, the camera will revert to its typical dynamic range, which is said to be 15 stops.

Dualnativeiso1 Dual Gain ISO is different than Dual Native ISO found on the Panasonic AU-EVA1Credit: Panasonic

If you're wondering if Dual Gain Output is the same as Dual Native ISO, found on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras, Panasonic AU-EVA1, or Sony VENICE – it's not. With Dual Native ISO, the entire sensitivity of the camera changes. Essentially, they are adding a second level of circuitry to the sensor. What DGO does is create a dual readout for every frame and then stitches it back together. DGO would be like using the same red and yellow colors to mix orange, no matter the settings. With Dual Native ISO, the lower native ISO would use red and yellow to mix orange, but for the higher base ISO, it would use straight orange. This is not to say one is better than the other, they're just different technology, but DGO is harder to pull off.

Dgo_sensor_flow How DGO sensor technology worksCredit: Canon

So, will the Canon EOS R5 receive a Dual Gain Output sensor? It will come down to processing power. DGO is tough on a full-frame sensor and the EOS R5 is expected to have one that can record 8K internally. DGO would put a lot of strain on a system. I wouldn't expect Canon to limit this EOS R5 in any way after the outcry over the EOS R 4K crop. However, maybe Canon could find a way to include it for very specific recording formats. If not, it's probably in the future pipeline, right?

What do you think? Hit us up in the comments.

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