Digital Imaging Core

Canon’s digital signal processor and control unit

Mihnea Simian
contact@mesimian.com
@mihneasim
 Canon family processors
• 1st Generation: Image Engine 2000
• 2nd Generation: New Image Engine 2001
• 3rd Generation: Digic (2002)
• 4th Generation: Digic II (2004)
• 5th Generation: Digic III (2006)
• 6th Generation: Digic IV (2008)

• Probably one the most marketed onboard

processors
Actual physical size
 Direct communication
• A/D converter (RAW data from CCD/CMOS
sensor)
• DRAM (buffer)
• LCD monitor
• Memory Card
• Camera CPU
 Provides:
• Auto focus, Auto exposure, Auto
white balance functions
• Signal processing
• Imaging control
– (sharpness / contrast / colour)
• JPEG compression/decompression
• Memory card control
• Display (LCD / video out)
 14 Bit ADC

•A raw image file contains

minimally processed data from
the image sensor

•214 possible shades of gray in

raw data
•214 *214 *214 = 242 colors in raw
data
 Data flow
• fast enough to push 15MP images onto
the card at a rate of up to 6.3 fps

• With a UDMA card Canon is claiming an

improvement to the buffering allowing up
to 90 JPEGs in a single burst
• “We used parallel processing not only for the auto-focus,
auto-exposure and LCD display functions, but also for
face detection. By adjusting the algorithms, DIGIC 4's
face detection function was made to work three times
faster when compared with DIGIC III “
– Kawaguchi
 EOS-1D Mark IV

• Digic 4, dual processor

• 16 mpx images in a burst of 10 fps

• HD footage at 30 fps
•$ 5000 EOS-1D Mark IV
•$ 6500 EOS-1D Mark III
CHDK – Unleash the power in your
PowerShot!
• Temporary – No permanent changes are made to the camera

• Professional control - RAW files, bracketing, full manual control

over exposure, Zebra-Mode, Live histogram, Grids, etc.

• Motion detection - Trigger exposure in response to motion, fast

enough to catch lightning.

• USB remote - Simple DIY remote allows you to control your camera
remotely.

• Scripting - Control CHDK and camera features using ubasic and

Lua scripts. Enables time lapse, motion detection, advanced
bracketing, and much more.
 Sources
• http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
• http://www.canon.com/technology/interview/digic4/dig
• http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infob
• http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=
• http://icanhascheezburger.com/tag/camera/
Questions?