Just announced from Canon, the ME20F-SH, a professional, 35mm sensor video camera with a maximum ISO setting in excess of 4 million; which effectively means that this camera can see in the dark!

Its design is delightfully simple and will suit the modular nature of video, allowing you to add the accessories of your choice or built it into a current rig. Plus for Canon Cinema EOS users or Canon DSLR users, the EF lens mount will enable you use your existing lenses.

There’s only one downside. You’re going to have to wait until around December 2015 until you can get your hands on one! But, with an estimated US price of $30,000, the wait might give you a chance to save up - or drop some serious Christmas present hints.

Read the full specifications of the new ME20F-SH here (opens a PDF), or see below for the official press release.

Need some brand new video gear in your life before December?

We’ll be one of the first people with the Canon EOS C300 Mark II. Exclusively at our FREE Canon Pro Video Day in Liverpool on Saturday August 8th. More information and registration here.

Official Canon Press Release below:

See the unseen; Canon launches the ME20F-SH - Full HD colour video footage in extremely low light

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 30 July 2015 – Canon today announces the launch of the ME20F-SH, a professional multi-purpose video camera capable of capturing full colour images in extremely low-light environments. Boasting an industry leading unrivalled maximum ISO in excess of 4 million (+75dB), the ME20F-SH is designed to be as small as possible whilst delivering high quality professional grade Full HD footage.

Supporting image capture in situations where it previously would not have been possible, the ME20F-SH is ideal for use within specialist applications such as TV productions of nighttime wildlife, deep sea/cave exploration, astronomy and surveillance. The ability to install the camera in a semi-permanent location, with remote control operability also means that for documentary and natural history filmmakers, long term projects and events can be captured with minimum staffing. Due to the specialist nature and demand for this product, the ME20F-SH will only be available to selected partners.

First class infrared capability

Capturing video in low-light conditions often requires the use of infrared illumination, a technique that traditionally only yields footage in black and white. The ME20F-SH however, achieves impressive high-sensitivity performance enabling the capture of colour Full HD video with reduced noise, even in low-light conditions and without the need for infrared illumination.

Exceptionally high sensitivity

Designed to be used in situations where ambient light levels are extremely low, the ME20F-SH features a newly developed Full Frame 35mm with 2.26 MP CMOS sensor and a DIGIC DV4 processor. The sensor’s pixels and readout circuitry use Canon’s proprietary technologies to achieve both reduced noise and exceptionally high sensitivity, allowing you to capture subjects illuminated with less than 0.0005 lux. Similar to Canon’s Cinema EOS cameras, the ME20F-SH includes Canon Log and Wide DR settings, which enable a wide dynamic range (800%), delivering high-quality results across a variety of ambient lighting conditions, without the need for supplemental lighting.

Connectivity

The ME20F-SH offers several options with regard to connectivity to external third party devices for recording or remote viewing purposes, and is also compatible with Canon’s RC-V100¹ for full remote control over the camera.

Enabling a wide range of imaging possibilities

The new ME20F-SH employs Canon’s EF mount with Cinema Lock, as found on the Cinema EOS C500, allowing users to take advantage of the company’s extensive lineup of interchangeable lenses². By enabling operators to select the ideal lens based on their shooting or application requirements, taking into consideration such factors as angle of view and level of brightness, the multi-purpose camera facilitates a wide range of shooting possibilities.

ME20F-SH Key features:

Ultra low-light performance at ISO 4million High quality Full HD 1080p/1080i/720p output Flexible control with auto and custom settings Compatible with a wide range of EF lenses² Remote control of camera settings and built-in ND and IR cut filters possible Small and lightweight for ease of integration

¹ Along with other compatible devices

² A list of compatible lenses to be confirmed