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Canon launches MS-500, the world’s first ultra-high-sensitivity camera equipped with SPAD sensor used for colour video shooting

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3 years ago

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MS-500

MS-500 will support advanced surveillance through clear video capture of subjects several kilometres ahead, even in the night-time darkness

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 30, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Canon Inc. (https://www.Canon-CNA.com) announced today that the company is launching the MS-500 the ultra-high-sensitivity ILC (Interchangeable-Lens Camera) equipped with the 1” SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) sensor featuring the world’s highest pixel count of 3.2 megapixels1 in late August 2023.

In areas with extremely high security levels, such as seaports, public infrastructure facilities, and national borders, high-precision monitoring systems are required to accurately capture targets day and night. The new MS-500 camera is the world’s first2 ultra-high-sensitivity camera equipped with a SPAD sensor used for color video shooting, achieving a minimum subject illumination of 0.001 lux3. When used in combination with the ultra-telephoto broadcast lenses, it is possible to capture clear videos of subjects at distance of several kilometers even in the nighttime darkness. By strengthening the ultra-high-sensitivity camera’s lineup, including the ME20/ML Series4, Canon helps to meet a variety of shooting needs in the advanced surveillance market.

  1. Combination of SPAD sensor and broadcast lenses enabling long range surveillance at night

The SPAD sensor uses a technology known as “photon counting”, which counts light particles (photons) that enter a pixel. When incoming photons are converted to electric charge, they can be instantly amplified approx. 1 million times and extracted as a large signal, making it possible to detect even small amounts of light. In addition, every single one of these photons can be digitally counted, thus making it possible for noise not to enter during signal readout—a key advantage of SPAD sensors. This enables clear color video shooting even under a 0.001 lux low-light environment. The lens mount is the bayonet lens mount (based on BTA S-1005B standards) which is a widely used mount for broadcast lenses. Taking advantage of Canon’s extensive lineup of broadcast lenses with ultra-telephoto performance, it is possible to identify the subjects at distance of several kilometers even in the nighttime darkness.

  1. Featuring image correction functions to improve visibility, including noise and haze reduction.

In night monitoring and long-range surveillance, the effect of noise and atmospheric shaking, particularly in dark environments, may cause problems within the clarity of the video. To solve this problem, “CrispImg2”, which optimizes sharpness, gamma curve, and noise reduction settings for monitoring applications, is installed as a standard feature in the custom picture function that allows for adjusting image quality settings according to the application. This enables to shoot high visibility videos at any time of day or night. The MS-500 also supports “haze compensation” function, which reduces the effects of haze and mist. This automatically adjusts for proper contrast and provides image correction functions that improve video quality.

Additional information

Combination of SPAD sensor and broadcast lenses enabling long range surveillance at night

Full HD clear color shooting is possible even under minimum subject illumination of 0.001 lux

  • SPAD sensor uses a method called “photon counting”, which counts light particles (photons) that enter a pixel. Unlike the “electric charge accumulation method” of the CMOS sensor, which measures the amount of light accumulated in a pixel over a period of time, the incoming photon generates an electron and can be instantly multiplied by about 1 million times and outputted as a large electrical signal. Since each photon is counted digitally, it makes it possible for noise not to enter during signal readout.5
  • Full HD clear color shooting is possible even under minimum subject illumination of 0.001 lux.
  • Equipped with the conventional bayonet mount (BTA S-1005B standard compliant), common for broadcast lenses. Canon’s abundant broadcast lenses with ultra-telephoto performance can be utilized.
  • Canon has a lens barrel design and lens coating technology, which reduce unwanted reflections, enabling clear video capture with less ghosting and flare. A digital servo system, digital drive unit, and high-resolution encoder provide high-speed, high precision zoom, focus, and iris operation.

Features image correction functions that improves visibility, including noise reduction and appropriate exposure adjustment.

  • “CrispImg2”, which optimizes sharpness, gamma curve, and noise reduction settings for monitoring purposes, is installed as standard in the custom picture function that allows for adjusting the image quality settings. Automatic adjustment is possible for suppressing noise and for sharp and highly visible image quality.
  • “Smart shade control1” makes it possible to properly adjust the exposure to suppress blocked up shadows of the subject and blown highlights of the background due to the backlight or the dark areas of the video.
  • “Haze compensation6” reduces the effect of haze and mist, and automatically adjusts for the proper contras

Supports serial communication functions which enables remote control of pan/tilt operations and image quality adjustment.

  • Compatible with Canon’s proprietary serial communication control protocol “NU” which is used for Canon’s ultra-high-sensitivity cameras and remote cameras7.
  • Compatible with the “Pelco-D8” protocol proposed and published by Pelco, Inc. in the United States and is widely used to control remote cameras and pan-tilt heads.
  • Use a cable to connect the serial communication terminal of devices such as the pan-tilt head that support these protocols to the REMOTE terminal on the rear panel of the MS-500. By transmitting communication commands, the camera, lens and pan-tilt head can be remotely controlled and operated from the control device.

For more information about the specification, visit Canon’s website: https://apo-opa.info/45Q0ga9

[1] Among SPAD sensors used for video shooting. As of July 31, 2023. Based on Canon research. Approx. 2.1 million effective pixels.

[2] Among cameras equipped with SPAD sensors used for color video shooting. As of July 31, 2023. Based on Canon research.

[3] Color (night mode), no light accumulation, f/1.4 equivalent, shutter speed 1/30 second, 50IRE, maximum gain

[4] ME20F-SH (released in December 2015), ME20F-SHN (released in February 2018), ML-100 M58 (released in December 2020), ML-105 EF (released in April 2021)

[5] For details about the differences between the SPAD sensor and the CMOS sensor, visit the Canon Technology website: https://apo-opa.info/3obRClU

[6] “Smart shade control” and “haze compensation” cannot be used together.

[7] For Canon’s remote camera lineup, please visit the following URL: https://apo-opa.info/3R1DbNI

[8] Pelco is a trademark of Pelco, Inc. or its affiliates.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Hainan FTP marks 6-month milestone of special customs operations, signs deals during Hong Kong visit

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7 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – As the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) marked the six-month milestone since the launch of its full special customs operations, a Hainan provincial delegation wrapped up a three-day visit to Hong Kong. During the visit, the delegation signed deepened cooperation agreements with several major local chambers of commerce and promoted the latest policies introduced since the island-wide special customs operations took effect.

According to data released by Hainan Province during the visit, Hainan’s foreign trade has surged since the launch of special customs operations. As of June 17, the province’s total goods imports and exports reached RMB 173.98 billion (approximately US$24 billion), up 54.6% year on year. Imports of zero-tariff goods hit RMB 2.645 billion, a 120% jump that generated tariff savings of RMB 440 million. A total of 172,100 new market entities were registered—a 61% increase—including 1,240 foreign-invested enterprises. Zero-tariff items now account for 74% of all tariff lines, benefiting more than 12,000 market entities.

During the Hong Kong visit, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Provincial Committee (CCPIT Hainan) signed separate deepened cooperation MOUs with the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Under the MOUs, the parties will establish a regular liaison mechanism for the periodic exchange of economic and trade information, and will promote collaboration in areas including professional services, green finance, the digital economy, supply chain management, and cultural tourism. Mutual enterprise service desks will be set up to provide consulting services regarding policies and projects. The parties will leverage their complementary strengths to help Chinese mainland enterprises access overseas markets via Hong Kong, while facilitating Hong Kong companies’ entry into the Chinese mainland through Hainan.

The delegation also held talks with the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, exploring ways for British and American businesses to leverage Hainan’s value-added processing tariff exemptions and multifunctional free trade accounts to position themselves in regional supply chains and cross-border investment and financing. HSBC, De Beers, and other British firms are already active in Hainan, and the UK served as the Guest of Honor country at the 2025 China International Consumer Products Expo.

According to industry analysts, amid the shifting international trade landscape, Hainan is leveraging Hong Kong’s “super-connector” role to accelerate its integration with global capital and business networks, while simultaneously offering the Hong Kong business community a policy testing ground for entering the Chinese mainland market.

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Africa’s Grid Constraints Come into Focus as Regional Markets Push Toward Integration

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4 days ago

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June 26, 2026

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Africa

Regional power pools are advancing and renewable pipelines are growing, but the regulatory and financial architecture needed to connect them remains the continent’s most critical infrastructure gap – an issue central to the Power Africa Today conference at AEW 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 25, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s electricity demand is projected to nearly double to 2,291 TWh by 2050, requiring an estimated $30 billion in transmission and grid infrastructure investment to unlock and integrate new generation capacity. Yet across the continent, grid systems are struggling to keep pace with rapidly expanding supply pipelines and rising demand.

In Nigeria, repeated nationwide grid collapses as recently as February 2026 underscore the fragility of aging transmission infrastructure. In East Africa, tower failures along the 428 km Loiyangalani-Suswa line temporarily stranded output from Lake Turkana Wind Power – Africa’s largest wind installation. Meanwhile, demand growth pressures are accelerating across North Africa, where electricity consumption is expected to rise by around 50% by 2035, driven by urbanization, desalination projects, and climate-related temperature increases.

Despite these constraints, generation investment continues to accelerate across Africa, particularly in renewables, gas-to-power and hybrid systems. However, without equivalent investment in transmission and interconnection, much of this new capacity risks being underutilized or stranded. This growing imbalance between generation and grid capacity is driving a sharper focus on system-wide planning and regional market design – issues that will be central to the newly launched Power Africa Today conference at African Energy Week 2026. The platform will bring together policymakers, utilities, investors and developers to explore how regional interconnection, cross-border trading frameworks and financing structures can better align generation growth with grid expansion.

Power Markets Experiment with Reform

Alongside infrastructure challenges, Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing gradual – but uneven – market reform. Most countries still operate vertically integrated systems dominated by state utilities, but a growing number are introducing competitive frameworks to attract private capital and improve efficiency.

Zimbabwe opened its electricity market to full private participation across generation, transmission and distribution in 2025, targeting $9 billion in new investment. South Africa is advancing one of the continent’s most ambitious grid expansion programs, with plans for 14,500 km of new transmission lines and 133,000 MVA of transformer capacity by 2034, alongside mechanisms designed to crowd in private financing. Kenya, meanwhile, has introduced open access regulations enabling independent power producers to wheel electricity directly to multiple off-takers, reshaping how generation assets interface with the grid.

Interconnected electricity markets are the foundation of Africa’s industrial future

Regional Integration Remains Fragmented

Efforts to connect Africa’s fragmented power systems are progressing, though at different speeds across regions. In Southern Africa, the World Bank’s RETRADE SAPP program, approved in 2025, is deploying $12 million to strengthen renewable integration and transmission capacity across 12 member states. In East Africa, the Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania Electricity Highway is now in trial operations at up to 2,000 MW, marking a significant step toward a more interconnected regional grid.

West Africa is also moving toward deeper integration, with permanent synchronization of the West Africa Power Pool expected in 2026. Analysts, including the African Finance Corporation, argue that such synchronization is critical to unlocking large-scale hydropower potential and industrial demand across the region. Longer term, full synchronization between the Eastern and Southern African power pools – targeted for the end of 2026 – could create one of the world’s largest cross-border electricity trading corridors.

Building Bankable Financial Architectures

While interconnection is advancing, infrastructure alone is not enough to create investable electricity markets. Investors consistently cite the lack of standardized offtake structures, creditworthy counterparties, and cross-border payment guarantees as key barriers to scaling capital deployment.

New models are emerging to address these constraints. Africa GreenCo, operating across Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, is helping to aggregate independent power producers under a single creditworthy intermediary, standardizing power purchase agreements and reducing counterparty risk. At a broader level, AUDA-NEPAD estimates that Africa requires around $30 billion in additional investment to complete priority transmission corridors and establish three fully interconnected regional trading blocs by 2030.

“Interconnected electricity markets are the foundation of Africa’s industrial future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The question at Africa Energy Week is not whether integration is possible – the evidence is already there. The question is which regulatory frameworks and financial structures will get projects to financial close, and which markets will be ready when capital is looking to move.”

The Power Africa Today conference will run alongside AEW 2026, taking place October 12–16 in Cape Town, and will focus on the regulatory, financial and infrastructural architecture needed to build interconnected electricity markets capable of attracting institutional capital and delivering reliable, cross-border power at scale.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Development Bank Group and La Francophonie Sign Partnership Agreement to Promote Youth Employment in Francophone Africa

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4 days ago

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June 26, 2026

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The agreement was signed during a meeting between the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, and African Development Bank Group President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah in Paris, France

PARIS, France, June 25, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) on Wednesday entered a strategic partnership to strengthen digital skills, employability, and entrepreneurship of young people and women in five African countries: Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar.

 

The agreement was signed during a meeting between the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, and African Development Bank Group President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah in Paris, France. The agreement will address a major challenge faced by countries in the Francophone world and across Africa: providing young people with access to opportunities offered by the digital economy and fostering the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs.

The partnership calls for the implementation of training programs in digital professions and entrepreneurship, in fields such as web and mobile development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. Participants will also receive guidance toward employment and self-employment, as well as support for innovation and business creation, notably through training camps, prototyping activities, and partnerships with incubators and accelerators.

The African Development Bank Group and OIF will also work with national authorities in these five countries and training institutions to sustainably strengthen local capacities and promote ownership of the programs by national stakeholders. An initial pilot phase, lasting 12 to 24 months, will be rolled out in the five partner countries, followed by a gradual expansion to other member states depending on the results achieved.

The African Development Bank Group is pursuing a bold agenda based on “Four Cardinal Points” developed by Dr Ould Tah, the third of which is ‘Turning Demographics into a Dividend.’ This is about strategically converting Africa’s rapidly growing and youthful population into a decisive engine of inclusive growth, productivity, and innovation through large-scale investment in human capital—particularly youth and women.

 

It sees Africa’s growing young population not as a risk, but as a major asset. With the right policies and investments, this potential can create jobs, help small businesses grow, bring more informal businesses into the formal economy, and equip young people with the skills needed for the future. By investing more in education, science and technology, vocational training, entrepreneurship, finance, and digital tools, Africa can help its people drive economic transformation, stay competitive, and build lasting, resilient growth.

The OIF said the agreement marked the first concrete step in its initiative to mobilize innovative and additional funding for its most impactful projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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