Canon has just introduced a new 8K broadcast glass: The 10×16 KAS S 8K UHD Portable Zoom lens. The lens features a fast constant aperture of f/2.8 across the entire zoom range that spans 16mm at the wide end to 160mm. Furthermore, the lens is dedicated to 8K broadcast cameras that feature a 1.25-inch sensor that specializes in high-speed live TV imaging.

Canon’s 8K broadcast lenses

Canon has introduced Its first two 8K broadcast lenses 2 years ago. The UHD-DIGISUPER 51 (SP51x15.5B), a long-zoom field lens, and the 7×10.7 KAS S, a portable zoom lens. These two zoom lenses are compatible with 8K broadcast cameras equipped with 1.25-inch sensors, which are ideal when high-speed imaging is needed in live TV.

1.25-inch image format size for 8K high-speed live television

The early experimental 8K UHD live television coverages of sporting events proved critical to determining the image format size that could deliver the essential depth of field while also ensuring an individual image sensor photosites size that could sustain 8K MTF, adequate dynamic range, and luma signal to noise. Thus, it has been revealed, that a 1.25-inch image format size balances those imaging parameters for 8K UHD live television, which can be optimized to reach ultra-high frame rates (240FPS-480FPS) even when shooting 8K. The 1.25-inch image format has a diagonal of 18.5mm as compared to the smaller 11.0mm of the 2/3-inch format and the larger 28.2mm of the Super 35mm format. This is the reason Canon chose to expand its 8K broadcast lens lineup.

10×16 KAS S 8K UHD Portable Zoom lens

Canon has just announced the launch of the 8K resolution 10×16 KAS S, a new portable zoom lens for 8K broadcast cameras that feature a 1.25-inch sensor. The new lens was designed to meet the ever-growing demand in recent years for ultra-high-resolution video production equipment, especially in such fields as sports broadcasting and documentary filmmaking. Furthermore, Canon states that this new 8K lens, cements its commitment to next-generation and innovative lens technology for a variety of content creation industries.

16mm-160mm f/2.8

The lens features a fast constant aperture of f/2.8 across the entire zoom range that spans 16mm at the wide end to 160mm at the telephoto end, a zoom magnification of 10x. Furthermore, the lens is equipped with lens elements such as fluorite, UD lenses, Hi-UD lenses, and wide-diameter aspherical lenses that help to reduce chromatic aberrations, spherical aberrations, and other effects that could diminish image quality. According to Canon, it has been utilizing its optical simulation technologies, sharpen and improved through the company’s history to determine the ideal placement of lens elements. Canon claims that the lens outputs an image that is clear and sharp from the center to the periphery throughout the entire zoom range.

Digital drive unit

The lens also features a high-performance digital drive unit powered by the high-resolution 16-bit absolute value encoder digital drive unit that has a proven track record of use with 2/3-inch 4K broadcast zoom lenses. This makes possible high-precision position detection, which is vital for productions that incorporate virtual imaging systems.

Price and availability

The Canon 10×16 KAS S 8K UHD portable zoom lens is scheduled to be available in late October 2021. There’s no info about pricing.

Final thoughts

As explained, the lens was designed to thicken the 8K ecosystem, with an emphasis on broadcasting ultra-high frame rates. To make the story short, this lens will allow broadcasters to output 240FPS and beyond, within 8K live content. Obviously, it depends on the broadcasting ecosystem, which is less relevant to the US, for instance, but more relevant to NHK, which is the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. Imagine watching a live sports event on a true 8K TV, with some super-epic slow-motion shots. That’s the direction Canon is heading to.