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Still video camera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Still video camera
Prototype Sony Mavica still video camera from 1981. This prototype camera is a black-colored rectangular box with a projecting cylindrical lens.
Prototype Sony Mavica still video camera from 1981.
ApplicationStill photography & photojournalism
ExamplesSony Mavica, Canon Xapshot
MediaVideo floppy (typical)
ResolutionTypically limited to single SDTV (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM) field or frame

A still video camera (SVC) is a type of electronic camera that takes still images and stores them as single frames of video. They peaked in popularity in the late 1980s[1] and can be seen as the predecessor to the digital camera. However, unlike the latter, the image storage in such cameras is based on analog technology, rather than as a digital file.

Design

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The most common design has an image sensor and basic processing hardware similar to that of a consumer camcorder designed for analog television using the appropriate regional format (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM). However, instead of storing consecutive interlaced fields on tape to form a moving image, a single field or frame (combined from two fields) is extracted from the output video signal and saved on a rotating magnetic disk, typically a standard Video Floppy. During playback, the disk is spun at the frame rate of the video system with the field or frame being read repeatedly. This produces a conventional analog video signal that can be viewed on a normal television.

The resolution is limited by the device's playback system, which is equivalent to pausing a single field or frame from a video recorder. Since the image is stored as a conventional analog video field or frame, the resolution is limited to the regional SDTV format; in addition, since the images are not stored digitally, transferring the images to a computer requires a video capture card.

History

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Development and prototyping

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Canon began developing a still video system as early as 1977 following a secret presentation from Texas Instruments (TI). Processing the image data from a CCD sensor into a digital file would have required a supercomputer at the time, so a strategic decision was made to use analog recording methods, and Canon recruited Sony and other manufacturers to create a standard format, resulting in the Video Floppy.[2] Other members included JVC, Matsushita (Panasonic), Olympus, Philips, and RCA.[3]

The first still video camera was a prototype Mavica (a portmanteau of magnetic video camera), which was unveiled by Sony chair Akio Morita on August 24, 1981.[4] The prototype Mavica was equipped with an interchangeable lens and was approximately the size and weight of a conventional 35-mm SLR camera at 130 mm × 89 mm × 52 mm (5.1 in × 3.5 in × 2.0 in) and 790 g (28 oz). It offered shutter speeds ranging from 1⁄60 to 1⁄2000 s; the video floppy (branded "Mavipak" by Sony) was capable of storing up to 50 images.[4]: 130  The Mavica was equipped with a single CCD sensor with a basic resolution of 570 × 490, but resolution was limited to approximately 350 horizontal lines. This was because it was designed for video playback, which is composed of interlaced video fields of approximately 240~280 horizontal lines; the Mavica's resolution was slightly boosted by recording color information on a separate FM channel, instead of as a subcarrier to the analog signal.[4]: 131  At the time, Sony stated it would be 15 to 24 months before the Mavica would be marketed, at an estimated cost of US$660 (equivalent to $2,340 in 2025) for the camera and an additional US$220 (equivalent to $780 in 2025) for the playback unit.[5]

Film manufacturer responses

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At the time, both Polaroid Corporation and Eastman Kodak were rumored to have developed competing still cameras similarly using image sensors instead of film. Polaroid offered no comment regarding Sony's Mavica,[4]: 204  but previously had published a patent describing a camera that stored images electronically by 1980.[6][7]: 90  Kodak published its position in an internal employee newsletter: "Technical capability does not necessarily mean mass-market capability. For any number of reasons—including costs, convenience, quality, and size among others—electronic systems don't meet the needs and expectations of the amateur still-picture-taker."[4]: 204  A Fuji executive, on the other hand, stated in 1980: "Silver halides will continue to be dominant for the next five years, but beyond that you will see more interfacing with electronics."[7]: 90  Kodak was developing its own CCD sensors and prototype digital file-recording cameras, including both the Lloyd/Sasson 1975 digital camera[8][9] and the 1988 1-megapixel monochrome "Electro-Optic Camera" for a U.S. Government client.[10]

The film companies would go on to release standalone appliances to view, record, and print images stored on video floppies, seeing the technology as a way to replace conventional film processing and slideshows, rather than film cameras. At Photokina '84, Fujifilm displayed its Fujix TV-Photo System, which was a Video Floppy player that could be connected to a user's TV; floppies could be created for a nominal fee when consumers dropped off film at a Fuji processing center in Japan.[11] Kodak showed off its initial still video efforts in 1985, including the Color Video Imager, a color printer designed to take any analog video signal, and the Still Video Player/Recorder, which transferred a single still frame from an analog video source to a video floppy.[12][13][14]: 9  The Color Video Imager displayed the input signal on a cathode-ray tube to expose a sheet of instant film; the Still Video Player/Recorder offered interline interpolation to improve the display of a single field;[15] estimated retail price was US$700 (equivalent to $2,060 in 2025) for the Color Video Imager.[16] Sony would respond with the ProMavica Recorder, announced in May 1986.[17]

Professional cameras

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Early professional SVCs
Canon RC-701 from 1986 (photographed in 2010)
Nikon QV-1000C from 1988 (photographed in 2015)

The Yomiuri Shimbun approached Canon in September 1983, asking for a SVC to use at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; the resulting system would also require a transmitter, receiver, and printer.[2] Canon's experiment was a success, and Yomiuri photographers would capture images of Japanese athletes from the 1984 Summer Olympics using a prototype Canon SVC (model D701)[2] and transmit them for rapid publication, which would have been impossible with conventional film photographs.[18]: 52–53  TI helped Canon develop the CCD sensor for the prototype D701.[2] The 1984 Summer Olympics proved to be fertile ground for SVC development; Sony developed a similar SVC system for the Asahi Shimbun and Nikon developed the NT-1000 Direct Transmitter for Kyodo News, although both Sony's and Nikon's systems were capable of only transmitting black and white images, while Canon provided color.[2] Nikon released the NT-1000 in 1983 as an alternative solution for photojournalists on location, the first portable machine to scan and transmit conventional film.[19]

At Photokina '84, Copal and Panasonic showed prototype SVCs.[11] Konica's prototype SVC, initially displayed in 1985,[20] and as a more advanced prototype in 1987,[21] carried an estimated price of US$4,000 (equivalent to $11,300 in 2025).[22] Kodak demonstrated a prototype SVC in 1987; coverage focused on the handling of the prototype ("held the way binoculars are held" with top-mounted controls and rear displays) and weight, at 4 lb (1.8 kg).[22][23]

Canon continued to develop the D701 into the RC-701, which was the first SVC to be marketed commercially in 1986, aimed at professional photographers and news agencies;[8][24] three interchangeable dedicated lenses were developed for the RC-701, and FD-mount lenses could be attached via an adapter.[25][26] The RC-701 used a 380,000-pixel CCD made by TI, and was priced at US$2,595 (equivalent to $7,620 in 2025) for the body alone.[27] It was the cornerstone of Canon's pro-oriented Still Video System, which also included a transceiver and printer.[28] The total system cost was approximately US$33,000 (equivalent to $97,000 in 2025).[29] The dye-sublimation printer that was developed for the system would go on to spawn a separate commercial line which Canon branded SELPHY.[2] Sony was second to market with the ProMavica MVC-A7AF of 1987, which offered the ability to record 10 seconds of audio.[22][27] In November 1987, Minolta released two still video backs that could be fitted to its 7000 and 9000 autofocus SLRs,[30] designated SB-70(S) and SB-90(S), respectively.[31] The retail price in 1988 was US$2,915 (equivalent to $7,940 in 2025) each.[32] Nikon countered by announcing its competing QV-1000C professional SVC with supporting system hardware, including two dedicated lenses and a transmitter, in August 1988.[19]

The first photographs in a United States newspaper taken with the Canon Still Video System were published in USA Today on October 19, 1987, covering the 1987 World Series.[33] However, due to their poor resolution, photojournalists generally were hesitant to adopt SVCs.[18]: 52–53  It has been reported that one of the Tiananmen Square "tank man" photographs was captured using a Sony ProMavica; according to the cameraman, Johnathan Schaer of Cable News Network, it was instead a still field captured on videotape and sent using the transmitter for the ProMavica.[34]

Consumer market

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Early consumer SVCs
Casio VS-101
Canon RC-250, aka Q-PIC/Ion/Xapshot
Sony MVC-C1 and MAP-T1

By 1988 and 1989, the first SVCs marketed to consumers were announced at Photokina and Consumer Electronics Show (CES), respectively. Casio would be the first to market with its VS-101 in 1988, at an estimated price of US$1,500 (equivalent to $4,080 in 2025).[35] At the 1989 CES, Sony's Mavica MVC-C1 was priced at US$900 (equivalent to $2,340 in 2025), including the required MAP-T1 playback unit, and Canon's RC-250, aka Q-PIC/Ion/Xapshot, was under US$800 (equivalent to $2,080 in 2025); in addition, the 1989 CES exhibited a prototype from Sanyo.[36] Both the Canon and Sony used the "High Band" recording format, which increased the luminance carrier frequency and bandwidth to improve resolution.[30][37] The RC-250's CCD sensor was again developed with TI.[2] Other manufacturers of consumer-level SVCs included Fujifilm, Konica, Kyocera (as Yashica), Olympus, and Panasonic.[30]

However, the increased interest and availability of consumer SVCs was paralleled by the rise of still cameras recording digital files, which was marked by rapid developments including the prototype Fujix DS-1P, announced at Photokina '88 and equipped with a removable memory card developed with Toshiba;[38] the Dycam Model 1 of 1990, also marketed as the Logitech FotoMan as the first consumer digital camera;[8] the 1991 Nikon F3-based Kodak DCS 100 for professionals;[10] and the Casio QV-10 of 1995, which was equipped with a color LCD, allowing users to review and delete still images on the same unit.[39][40] The increased resolution and enhanced capabilities of digital cameras soon eclipsed the features of SVCs; in a 1995 review comparing digital and still video cameras, MacWorld concluded the digital cameras had superior resolution, but cited the large resolution gap between the high-end digital cameras (at 1.5 MP) and 35-mm film (estimated at 20 MP).[41] Most SVCs were discontinued by the mid 1990s.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Wade, John (2025-10-28). "The birth of the digital camera world - weird, wonderful, expensive, and terrible". Amateur Photographer. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yoshiyuki Takishima (December 9, 2019). "第4回：瀧島芳之さん（元キヤノン取締役、元カメラ事業本部長、元ソフト統括-開発本部長）" [Number 4: Mr. Yoshiyuki Takishima (former Canon director, camera business division manager, software development general manager)] (Interview) (in Japanese). Interviewed by Yasunori Ichikawa. Watch Impress. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Frank, Michele A. (October 1983). "The Gadgeteria". Popular Photography. Vol. 90, no. 10. Los Angeles: Ziff-Davis. pp. 10, 150. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Drukker, Leendert (November 1981). "How will Sony's video camera affect photography?". Popular Photography. Vol. 88, no. 11. Los Angeles: Ziff-Davis. pp. 130–131, 198, 204. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Free, John (December 1981). "Amazing new world of electronic photography". Popular Science. Vol. 218, no. 6. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. pp. 87–89, 124. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. ↑ US patent 4262301, Erlichman, Irving, "Electronic imaging camera", published 1981-04-14, assigned to Polaroid Corporation
  7. 1 2 Ortner, Everett H. (December 1980). "The coming era of photography without silver". Popular Science. Vol. 217, no. 6. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. pp. 88–90. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 Trenholm, Richard (May 31, 2021). "History of digital cameras: From '70s prototypes to iPhone and Galaxy's everyday wonders". c|net. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  9. ↑ US patent 4131919, Lloyd, Gareth A. & Sasson, Steven J., "Electronic still camera", published 1978-12-26, assigned to Eastman Kodak Company
  10. 1 2 McGarvey, Jim (June 2004). "The DCS Story: 17 years of Kodak Professional digital camera systems" (PDF). Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Images of electronic future at Photokina fair". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 162, no. 2. New York City: The Hearst Corporation. February 1985. p. 70;146. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Pollock, Steve; Stecker, Elinor (November 1985). "Kodak Video Explosion". Popular Photography. Vol. 92, no. 11. Los Angeles: Ziff-Davis. p. 150. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Durniak, John (October 27, 1985). "Camera; Kodak Boosts Electronic Pictures". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Still-video system undergoes testing" (PDF). Information Display. Vol. 2, no. 1. Framingham, Massachusetts: Society for Information Display. January 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ↑ Meigs, James B. (March 1986). "Home Video". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 163, no. 3. New York City: The Hearst Corporation. pp. 43–44. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Free, John (January 1986). "Electronics Newsfront: Instant TV prints". Popular Science. Vol. 230, no. 7. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. p. 27. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "Sony MVR-5500 still video recorder offers floppy disk alternative to slides". Computerworld. May 26, 1986. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  18. 1 2 Goldsmith, Arthur (March 1990). "Reinventing the Image". Popular Photography. Vol. 97, no. 3. New York City: Diamandis Communications. pp. 48–53. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  19. 1 2 Aasland, Jarle. "Nikon QV-1000C: The history of Nikon's first electronic camera". NikonWeb. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Filmless photos advance". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 162, no. 9. New York City: Hearst Corporation. September 1985. p. 156. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  21. ↑ Fisher, Arthur (May 1987). "What's New: Still video system". Popular Science. Vol. 232, no. 11. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. p. 86. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 Free, John (November 1987). "Filmless Photos". Popular Science. Vol. 231, no. 5. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. pp. 54–55. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  23. ↑ Booth, Stephen A. (October 1987). "Kodak Electronic Photos". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 164, no. 10. New York City: Hearst Corporation. pp. 40, 44. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Canon RC-701". Popular Photography. July 1986. p. 62.
  25. ↑ "Still Video Cameras: RC-701". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  26. ↑ Booth, Stephen A. (September 1986). "Electronics: Electronic camera arrives". Popular Mechanics. New York City: Hearst Corporation. pp. 56, 60. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  27. 1 2 Free, John (October 1986). "Video photography—the electronic revolution continues". Popular Science. Vol. 230, no. 4. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. pp. 74, 98. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Canon Still Video System" (PDF). Canon Corporation. 1987. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  29. ↑ Hawkins, William J. (September 1986). "Electronics Newsfront: Electronic still camera". Popular Science. Vol. 231, no. 3. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. p. 20. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  30. 1 2 3 "16 Top Still-Video Cameras". Popular Photography. Vol. 97, no. 12. New York City: Diamandis Communications. December 1990. pp. 102–104, 183. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "1987: スチルビデオバックSB-70/-90" [1987: Still Video Back SB-70/-90] (in Japanese). KenkoTokina Corporation. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  32. ↑ Fisher, Arthur (July 1988). "What's New: Still Video". Popular Science. Vol. 233, no. 1. New York City: Times Mirror Magazines. p. 89. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  33. ↑ "World Series Files Filmless Photos". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 165, no. 3. New York City: Hearst Corporation. March 1988. pp. 12, 15. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  34. ↑ Aasland, Jarle. "Mythbuster: How CNN captured and transmitted the iconic "tank man" photo". NikonWeb. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  35. ↑ Booth, Stephen A. (March 1988). "'88 Debut For Filmless Photos". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 165, no. 3. New York City: Hearst Corporation. pp. 50–51. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  36. ↑ "Still Video: Finally, they're here!". Popular Photography. Vol. 96, no. 3. New York City: Diamandis Communications. March 1989. pp. 53–54. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  37. ↑ Booth, Stephen A. (January 1989). "Electronics: Instant Pictures Through Electronics". Popular Mechanics. New York City: Hearst Corporation. pp. 42–43. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  38. ↑ "Real Time Pie in the Sky". Popular Photography. Vol. 96, no. 8. New York City: Diamandis Communications. August 1989. p. 65. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  39. ↑ Byford, Sam (September 14, 2012). "Casio QV-10, the first consumer LCD digital camera, lauded as 'essential' to tech history". The Verge. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  40. ↑ Richards, Dan; Baldridge, Aimee (October 22, 2013). "The 30 Most Important Digital Cameras of All Time". Popular Photography. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  41. ↑ Heid, Jim (Summer 1995). "Photography without Film". MacWorld. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001.
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