Canon Unveils ME20F-SH Camera, Captures Video And Stills In Complete Darkness At 4M ISO

Canon has a new camera that will be available just in time for the holidays, but at $30,000, the model is going to be on only a few wish lists. The ME20F-SH is capable of creating the equivalent of a 4,000,000 ISO setting, which means it can capture color video in extremely-low light settings. In fact, according to Canon, it can provide “high-quality video capture even where subjects might not be seen by the naked eye.”


Canon is targeting the camera at users who want to get full-color HD video in low-light situations. Typical cameras that take operate in dark environments use infrared, which results in black and white video. The ME20F-SH, on the other hand, has a CMOS sensor with pixels measuring 19 micrometers. According to Canon, that’s more than 5.5 times the surface area of pixels on high-end cameras with interchangeable lenses. Canon is touting the ME20F-SH as being capable of shooting color HD video on moonless nights.


The camera is meant to be placed rather than held, so it has a box shape that doesn’t lend itself to being gripped. Canon included support for a remote control so the camera can be used for security applications or placed in a hard-to-reach place. The camera also supports external microphones via 3.5mm mini-jack.


The ME20F-SH comes without a lens and supports Canon’s EF lenses via its Cinema Lock type EF mount, so you can pick the lens that best fits your lighting or subject. Obviously, it’s not a camera that even most pros will be able to afford, but for certain businesses, being able to get color HD video in low-light settings will be huge.