Cameras in general tend to struggle in low-light scenarios. Even full-frame cameras such as the Sony a7S III will struggle to produce useful results in extremely low light situations. This is especially an issue for video; however, a company called Duovox has seemingly managed to overcome these obstacles.
The debut camera from Duovox is the Duovox Mate Pro. This tiny camera manages to pack quite a punch with its ability to shoot in almost complete darkness. In these scenarios, you would want to use a night vision-type camera. Unfortunately, night vision does not produce footage with color, and the results can be limiting due to the quality.
The Duovox Mate Pro manages to capture full color in virtually pitch-black conditions. The camera uses a 5-megapixel Sony Starvis sensor that has a crop factor of around 4.8x relative to full-frame. This is notably even smaller than the sensor in the iPhone 13 Pro.
Despite this, the Duovox Mate Pro sensor can capture an incredible 22 stops of dynamic range. This is far beyond what even a full frame camera such as the Sony a7S III can capture, which is rated up to 15 stops of dynamic range.
Additionally, the camera comes with an f/0.9 lens. This explains why the optics are so huge considering how small the sensor is. Nonetheless, Duovox has managed to keep the overall size of this camera pretty small, to the point where it can comfortably be used as a webcam replacement.
Key Specifications
Sensor: Sony Starvis 2 CMOS
Resolution: 5 megapixels
Lens: 7 elements
Aperture: f/0.9
Video Resolution: Full HD 1080p at 30 frames per second
Minimum Light Required: 0.0001 Lux (overcast moonless night)
Record Limit: 48 hours (based on storage of up to 512 GB)
Battery Life: 4 hours of continuous recording
Display: 1,229,760-dot 3-inch LCD
With such incredible low-light capabilities, Duovox is targeting wildlife and city photographers and videographers that wish to continue working late into the night. The Duovox Mate Pro could also end up being a highly capable dashcam for those late-night journeys. Duovox also envisions its camera could be used for home security or simply to create nighttime content.
Seems like a compelling project but I've been burned by Kickstarter projects enough to not trust any of the claims until the thing is in market.
Same with me.
Is this any different form Sionyx Aurora?
Half the price, smaller, different form factor.
Do not think this will be a good camera for star gazers when it turns the night sky into bright daylight.
(According to the promo video).
I also don't think the sky is blue at night.
Fixed focus, starting way back at about 5m to infinity. So you can forget head & shoulder portraits. A nice gimmick, if you want to make your own sequel to The Blair Witch Project.... if it didn't cost 1200 dollar.
To Late:
A7s and VOIGTLANDER 12MM 5.6 ASPHERICAL ULTRA WIDE HELIAR VM mount ISO 6400, 12mm, F5.6, 30s 2015
Sony ILCE-7M3 FE 12-24mm F4 G 6400 2019
A7s FE 16-35mm f/4 ISO 6400 16mm 2015
Ever have to reduce exposure to make it look more nightly?
It’s more of a video camera. Even smartphones can do long exposure now.
Well have you seen the color video on trail cameras they are just 12MP!I have video of racoons trying to get to a peanut butter jar hung from a cable for deer but the racoons upside down paw over paw along the cable getting to it and the deer just watching! Not worth posting for every hunter has seen it!
Sony a7s is 12MP too!