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Pixim's glare-reduction photo tech

Technology developed by Pixim relies on a massive array of analog-to-digital converters to reduce the glare on images. Each pixel is paired with an A-to-D converter, so bright pixels get less exposure, and dark pixels get more. The top photo shown here was taken with a camera that uses Pixim technology; the lower was taken using a competitor's hardware.

Credit: Pixim

11 comments

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Unconvincing
If the photos were exactly the same then I would be more convinced. Reminds me of the classic before/after diet photos...
Posted by Andrew J Glina (1673 comments )
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Need time date and camera info!
As the previous comment notes. the pictures can't be compared. It would be better to use the same chip/camera with same settings and time date, etc to prove it. The we could make a real comparison of the technique.
Posted by jv (31 comments )
Link Flag
Seeing this live helps
I was shown the two pictures in a presentation by Pixim a while
back and at that time they explicitly stated that the two pictures
were taken at the same time and in the same conditions. Seeing the
video in which the guy outside walks in and you can still see his
face is the most convincing bit. The critical thing about this
technology is the ability to cope with a large dynamic range of light
levels in the same frame.
Posted by (1 comment )
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Get Real!!!!
What's with the first people to respond? Doctored photographs? Get real! This is super news, I'd want my next camera buy to have this or a similar technology.
Posted by Foggy (32 comments )
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In Effect - Lowering contrast
What this is really doing is just adding an electronic neutral density filter for values above the maximum that a pixel can record (like a 2 ND value) then boosting the now underexposed portion to try and get it back.

The correct way to avoid this is to use fill flash and balance for the outside in the lot to get EVERYTHING properly exposed.

Electronic "fixing" of images before taking just "un-educates" people as to what is really going on and does not teach them how to do it right - and better than can be done electronically.

Tom
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.taphilo.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.taphilo.com</a>
Posted by taphilo-2003685639374287843630 (130 comments )
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What a snob...
Oh, so photography is only for the "expert"?

These kind of technology improvements are great for the millions of people (like me) just looking to take a good, quick shot. If I need the "perfect" shot I'll hire a photographer, but the other 99% of the time, I just want an easy way to capture the moment.
Posted by apcart (1 comment )
Link Flag
Unconvincing - Underexposing? I can do this, too
The "competitor" picture is metered on the inside objects (see the whiteboard in the right, appears white). The "Pixim" image is metered on the outside objects, and everything inside is underexposed (see the whiteboard in the right, it's now gray).

This may be good for those digital cameras without any controls of metering. Otherwise, it's useles...
I can achieve the same thing with current cameras by underexposing, or metering on the thing I want to capture. And no, you don't have to be a photo guru to do that...
Posted by alinconstantin (20 comments )
Reply Link Flag
Who cares..
You may have the best image quality from the camera but it is up to the recording device to capture that image. Most older banks and a lot of stores still utilize quads and switchers and VCR's. Or if they migrated to Multiplexers and DVR's then the record limits are maxed to conserve disk/tape space. When was the last time you saw an actual bank robbery photo that was clear??
Posted by (1 comment )
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Pixim apparently assumes we're idiots.
Pixim picture shows shadow from behind building and extending halfway across parking lot. Competitor picture shows sun shining on door and causing glare. Geez - that Pixim chip is magic. I gotta get me one of those!
Posted by (1 comment )
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A Real Solution
Fact is, CCD cameras cannot cope with backlight. One need only view the millions of CCTV monitors at any store and see that mainstream CCD cameras come up short.

Pixim should be applauded for this breakthrough and its about time someone finally solved this issue. Pixim is LIGHT years ahead of CCD, no pun intended.
Posted by geraldcctv (3 comments )
Reply Link Flag
A real side-by-side comparison of the sensor
Some of the rplys here have suggested that the pictures of the CCD
vs. the Pixim sensor weren't taken at the same time. They were.

This video: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.pixim.com/html/tech_video.htm" target="_newWindow">http://www.pixim.com/html/tech_video.htm</a> shows
more examples of side by side product comparisons.
Posted by john0720 (1 comment )
Reply Link Flag
 

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