What is Dual Pixel autofocus technology? On what types of cameras?

Phase detection technology has revolutionized photography. So what is Dual Pixel autofocus technology, how does the mechanism work and which cameras possess this unique technology?

What is Dual Pixel Autofocus?

Dual Pixel autofocus technology was introduced by Canon in 2013 on the EOS 70D series of cameras. After that, this technology continued to appear on smartphones of Samsung as well as other major camera manufacturers.

Dual Pixel Auto Focus ( Dual Pixel Auto Focus ) technology, we can call it Dual Pixel autofocus technology, allows to use almost 100% of pixels for focusing without any restriction compared to autofocus . with conventional phase focus technology.

The camera sensor contains many pixels (pixels) on it, it is responsible for capturing light and processing images captured by the photodiodes contained in the pixels. Each pixel on the sensor has two photo diodes that can work together. A photo diode is responsible for capturing phase images, and a photo diode for taking contrast images.

The images of these two photo diodes are then combined together to produce the final image, which means that Dual Pixel autofocus technology will provide fast focusing speed and image display. be more precise , as well as focus more on the subject.

Working principle of Dual Pixel autofocus

To understand Dual Pixel autofocus technology better, you can compare it with the working principle of conventional phase detection focus technology (Phase Detection Auto Focus, abbreviated as PDAF).

Phase detection focus (PDAF) is a technology inherited from professional DSLR cameras. In a DSLR camera, there are 2 sensors: the focus sensor and the image sensor.

The pixels on the sensor are specially made for phase focus. These phase focus pixels are half hidden. Because usually a pair of phase focus pixels will have one masked pixel on the left, and one masked pixel on the right.

Therefore, these pixels also become defective pixels because they do not capture the full light information (because it is half hidden). In other words, these error pixels have no meaning in the image but only serve to focus.

• If there are many phase focus pixels on the sensor, phase focus becomes faster and more accurate, but there are many faulty pixels. Similarly, if there are few phase focus pixels on the sensor, it will not focus quickly and accurately, but will limit faulty pixels. As a result, conventional phase-detection sensors only stop at less than 5% of the sensor’s total phase-detection points.
• Meanwhile, Dual Pixel autofocus technology allows for more phase-detection focusing on each pixel. All pixels are composed of two parts for phase detection, which means that 100% of the pixels of the Dual Pixel autofocus sensor function the same, both focusing and carrying image information without no pixel errors.

Advantages and uses of Dual Pixel autofocus

Dual Pixel autofocus technology increases the number of photo diodes in the pixels by up to 95% and the pixel rate is much more accurate . This technology helps you to clearly capture moving objects at high speed , and of course taking pictures while you are moving by car also responds very well.

In addition, the brightness of images taken by Dual Pixel is also increased by 25% and indeed the output image quality of devices with this technology will not be inferior to professional cameras of this caliber.

Cameras equipped with Dual Pixel focus technology

Some of the devices that have Dual Pixel autofocus phase-detection technology include:

Canon camera

• Camcorders C300, C200 and C100
• M5, M6 and M50 . mirrorless cameras
• 1 DX Mark II, 5D Mark IV, 6D Mark II, 7D markII, 70D, 77D, 80D, Rebel T71 (referred to as EOS 800D DSLR) and Rebel SL2 DSLR (EOS 200D)

Smartphone

• Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge; Samsung S8, S8+, S9 and S9+.
• Google Pixel 2 by Google
• HTC U11 mobile phone

In addition, some Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic and Olympus cameras are also equipped with this Dual Pixel autofocusing technology.

The future of Dual Pixel phase detection in the photography industry

Dual Pixel Auto Focus – Dual Pixel Auto Focus, will become the foundation of photography. Because each pixel on the sensor has the ability to record and represent a better quality than the old technology you don’t realize it yet.

For example, cameras equipped with Dual Pixel focus technology meet the needs of filmmakers well. Because for each scene, the distance from the camera to the subject (or subject) is measured and focus is focused no matter where the subject moves.

Usually, the camera user will have to manually move the lens to predefined focus points. If using a Dual Pixel phase-detection technology camera, filmmakers will focus accurately at a fast speed without having to move the lens too much.

In addition, users can quickly tap on the camera’s LCD screen to change focus to a different subject . This technology will quickly maximize focus when changing scenes , even if the light is strong or in a high contrast area.

In short, Dual Pixel autofocus technology, which delivers fast focusing speed and high accuracy, will be a great technology in cameras and phones that you can explore for your upcoming needs.