DIGIC
With DIGIC (Digital Imaging Core) Canon refers to the "family" of image and video processor chip itself developed, used since 2002 in many digital cameras of the company. Of 2004, the improved version DIGIC II, 2006 which in turn improved version DIGIC III. With the Canon EOS 50D DIGIC 4 processor was introduced in October 2008. The generation DIGIC 5 was introduced on 15 September 2011 with the presentation of the PowerShot S100. The latest EOS -D models 6D, 1D X and 5D Mark III using the improved DIGIC 5 processor. The successor DIGIC 6 was announced in April 2013, and is first used in the PowerShot SX280 HS.
Description
The DIGIC image processors (mostly with ARM core ) perform all the functions of digital image processing and camera control. While DIGIC three ICs are used (for camera control, image processing, video editing ), with DIGIC II are all functions implemented on a single chip. These include in particular the JPEG compression, control of the memory card functions, control on the LCD display, automatic exposure metering and exposure control, auto focus and auto white balance. The concept of hardware-based camera control with a chip offers benefits such as faster response times and shorter shutter lag, better imaging, faster, more accurate autofocus as well as longer battery life according to the manufacturer.
The DIGIC image processors are also the foundation for Canon's iSAPS technology (" Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space" ). This essential photographic parameters of the recording scene as focal length, brightness and tonal range are immediately before the shutter automatically analyzes and for optimal camera settings based on a statistical model " predicted ". Equipped with DIGIC / iSAPS cameras achieved by a rapid and precise function of auto focus, exposure and white balance, and as a result, also good picture quality.
Alternative firmware essay
For some cameras (mostly the compact range) with DIGIC II, III, "-4" - and -5 processor is an alternative firmware essay available. Under the name of CHDK ( " Canon Hack Development Kit " ) is developing a free software that is written to the memory card and the original firmware supplemented by numerous functions. Optionally, CHDK can automatically or manually be loaded at startup. The memory card must be made bootable for automatic start of CHDK. This change is not permanent and can always be disabled by replacing the memory card. The first cameras with DIGIC III processor used the VxWorks operating system, the newer Canon's proprietary development DRYOS. The alternative firmware provides many various additional functions, such as a battery level indicator, support of RAW files, additional settings, advanced information on the monitor. For the automation of technical processes foto scripts can be used ( in Lua and UBasic ).
For the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and other models of the EOS series, there is a similar open source project with Magic Lantern. These SLR cameras have a Digic 4 processor and also put a DRYOS, but have from from home of the most common features that can be retrofitted to the compact cameras using CHDK. This is why the Magic Lantern project has focused on improving the functions of film cameras and expand.