AXIS has harnessed the imaging technologies of parent company, Canon, for its new 20MP AXIS Q1659. This edgy first release bodes well for the Canon Axis colloboration.
Axis has developed the camera for detailed surveillance over long distances for cities, airports, transportation, stadiums and other open areas. It features 20MP resolution at 8 images per second, high-performance image sensor and Canon EF/EF-S lenses, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) imaging technology with choice of 7 different EF/EF-S lenses depending on requirements.
A CCTV camera wearing this beautiful Canon lens is going to need to be installed well out of the reach of slavering shutterbugs…
The quoted ability to use an EF/EF-S mount is interesting, given these are 2 quite different mounting systems. There are more than 60 EF lenses in the Canon full frame range, as well as tons of third party offerings, with a smaller number of lenses in the EF-S crop sensor range. In the press image, the Axis Q1659 is wearing one of Canon's best lenses, the superfast 85mm F1.2 USM L full frame. We'd recommend using the more affordable but still excellent 85mm F1.8, all you security managers looking for facial ID and professional qualities of bokeh. So – does this camera have a full frame sensor or an APS/C sensor? Probably the latter, as well as the useful ability to support any EF mount full frame lenses without vignetting. This capability implies the Axis is using a very good quality sensor and will perform extremely well in low light.
The Q1659 has Axis Zipstream storage technology, which slashes bandwidth requirements by 50 per cent, SFP slot for optional fibre connectivity allows network connectivity over long distances. There’s support from Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) Program and AXIS Camera Station software, while third-party video analytics applications can be installed on the camera via AXIS Camera Application Platform.
“This camera is a best of both worlds approach: The world-class image quality Canon is known for with its professional-level photography technology and Axis’ market-leading security systems that deliver everything required for a complete, flexible and easy-to-manage installation,” says Olof Leidecker, global product manager at Axis.
“In addition to the extreme level of quality and detail, AXIS Q1659 can, thanks to its broad VMS support, be quickly integrated with existing security environments.”
Axis Communications is planning to launch the AXIS Q1659 network camera in Q1 2017 through Axis distribution channels. ♦
