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Tag: Digital Camera

  • World’s Largest Digital Camera Captures First Cosmic Images

    World’s Largest Digital Camera Captures First Cosmic Images

    After over 20 years of development, the world’s largest digital camera at Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory has captured its first images during a 10-hour test session atop Cerro Pachón.
    Image Credits:New Atlas

    After over 20 years of development, the world’s largest digital camera at Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory has captured its first images during a 10-hour test session atop Cerro Pachón.

    SLAC’s Ambitious Plan for a Record-Breaking Astro Camera

    In 2012, SLAC announced plans for a 3.2-gigapixel astro camera—set to lead a 10-year survey at the heart of a new Chilean telescope.

    SLAC released renderings and additional details in 2015, just before construction began.By 2020, the team assembled 189 sensors and captured initial test images.They completed the full LSST camera by early last year, building a device roughly the size of a small car.

    Image Credits:A composite image of the Trifid Nebula (top) and the Lagoon Nebula courtesy of the LSST camera at the heart of the Simonyi Survey Telescope of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile
    NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

    Engineers increased the number of imaging sensors to 201, each with 10-micron-wide pixels. They mounted the sensors on a focal plane inside a vacuum chamber, sealed by a 3-foot lens—the first of three, with the largest reaching 5 feet. The system captures 15-second exposures every 20 seconds, with optics tuned from ultraviolet to near-infrared.

    Landmark Installation at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

    The team prepared the 6,600-pound assembly for shipment to the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory and installed it on the Simonyi Survey Telescope this March.Project director Aaron Roodman called it “a pivotal moment,” noting the camera will bring unmatched clarity and depth to imaging the southern sky.

    Image Credits:The LSST Camera being installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope in March 2025
    RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AU

    The LSST camera has unveiled its first images, starting with a composite of 678 shots captured over seven hours. It reveals faint, previously hidden details of the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae—shown in the article’s lead image. The Observatory also shared several “first look” videos, available to watch below.

    Željko Ivezic, director of Rubin Observatory Construction, called the unveiling of their first scientific images a major milestone for the NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory. “It reflects nearly 20 years of global teamwork, innovation, and commitment.Now that we’ve finished construction, we’re turning our full attention to the sky—actively capturing images and launching a new era of discovery.“

    Read the original article on:New Atlas

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  • Fujifilm’s X Half is An $850 Digital Camera With a Vintage Film Look

    Fujifilm’s X Half is An $850 Digital Camera With a Vintage Film Look

    Fujifilm’s latest release, the $850 X Half, is a quirky 18MP compact camera that captures vertical 3:4 images using half of a 1-inch sensor. With a retro design, it features a rear screen showcasing 13 film simulation modes and supports only JPEG, with no RAW option.
    Image Credit: Pixabay

    Fujifilm’s latest release, the $850 X Half, is a quirky 18MP compact camera that captures vertical 3:4 images using half of a 1-inch sensor. With a retro design, it features a rear screen showcasing 13 film simulation modes and supports only JPEG, with no RAW option.

    A Modern Take on a Vintage Format

    The  X Half  name is inspired by 1960s half-frame cameras like theOlympus Pen F, which used a 35mm film frame split in half (18mm x 24mm).

    Fujifilm’s X Half has a backside-illuminated sensor half the size of a traditional half-frame (8.8mm x 13.3mm), covering just a quarter of its area.

    The X Half has the smallest sensor in recent Fujifilm cameras, with the X-series using APS-C and the GFX line using medium format. It shares the 3:4 ratio of Fujifilm’s Instax Mini cameras for direct printing via an Instax Mini printer and the new X Half app.

    Image Credit: Fujifilm

    The X Half makes full use of Fujifilm’s signature film simulation and grain effect modes. New additions include “light leak,” mimicking accidental overexposure, “expired film,” and “halation,” a glow from light reflecting within film layers.

    Film Camera Mode enhances the vintage feel with an optical viewfinder, manual frame advance, and photo “development” in the X Half app. It even generates a classic contact sheet layout with 36, 54, or 72 images.

    Retro Creativity Meets Modern Sharing

    The X Half’s 2-in-1 feature lets users merge two stills or clips into one, with the film advance lever adding a retro touch.

    The camera captures photos and videos in vertical or square formats (up to 2160×2160), perfect for social media with Fujifilm’s film simulations. The “Date Stamp” adds to the vintage feel with a classic Kodak-style timestamp in the bottom-right corner.

    The X Half has a 2.4-inch 3:4 LCD, an optical viewfinder with parallax distortion, and weighs just 210 grams (7.4 ounces). It also includes a built-in flash, an impressive 880-frame battery life, and an SD UHS-I card slot.

    The X Half could appeal to social media enthusiasts or anyone seeking a fun camera for parties or vacations. It’s pricey, especially compared to an Instax or regular film camera with plenty of film for less. Fujifilm’s X100 VI was a hit, so the X Half’s popularity wouldn’t be surprising. It’s now available for preorder at $850 (black, charcoal silver, silver), shipping June 12.

    Read the original article on: Engadget

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