RAW images One of the most outstanding functions of the Canon Hacker’s Development Kit (and historically the first) is the ability to deliver and process RAW sensor data. The popularity of RAW image processing relies on the fact that RAW files contain the full information gathered by the sensor. The JPEG format, in contrast, resamples [...]

Canon cameras perform several steps when switched on: The CHDK adds an additional task that manages the CHDK functions. In addition, the CHDK needs hooks in the native tasks to communicate with them. Therefore, the CHDK loader embodied in the file DISKBOOT.BIN performs the following steps: In this way, the changes applied to the native [...]

The development of the Canon Hacker’s Development Kit began in 2006 with the Russian programmer Vitaly B. Studying the disassembly of a firmware upgrade for a Canon IXUS camera, he was able to analyze the upgrade process and write a program that would boot from the card and take control of the camera. With the [...]

Since 2002, Canon has used the DIGIC processor in all of its digital cameras, including the EOS DSLRs. The original DIGIC processor was followed in 2004 by the DIGIC II processor, which combines all functions on a single chip (the original processor needed three chips). DIGIC II was followed in 2007 by DIGIC III, which [...]

Practically all digital Canon compact cameras (and all of the newer camera models) are equipped with a zoom lens, allowing for an optical zoom range from 1:3 to 1:20+. The optical zoom can be extended via an optional digital zoom. All zoom lenses are equipped with a macro function, which again can be extended with [...]