Canon Presents Its Own AI-based Image Processing Technology

Canon

I guess it was just matter of time before Canon would also release or at least announce some photo editing tool based on artificial intelligence.

Canon presents a deep-learning neural network for image processing. Canon’s motivation (machine translated):

[there might be] unavoidable problems with the image quality of the photos. For example, noise that makes a photo look grainy, moiré that makes a moire pattern that should not exist, and blurring of an image caused by the principle of a lens. There were times when information was reflected. When a wide-angle lens is used, the image quality in the peripheral areas off the center of the lens tends to be blurred due to the deterioration of the optical performance of the lens.

As AI technology advances and deep learning technology is being applied in a variety of ways, Canon, as a leading company with extensive knowledge of cameras and lenses, is committed to the inevitability of the principle of photography. In order to solve this problem, he directly tackled the development of deep learning image processing technology himself.

So, how does Canon’s AI technology work?

Canon’s deep-learning image processing technology, aimed at achieving true-to-life photography, covers three areas: noise reduction, color interpolation, and aberration diffraction correction (lens blur correction). Both areas have so far been regarded as problems in principle.

In the first place, the key to achieving high accuracy in the results of deep learning image processing technology is how many pairs of “teacher images” and “student images” (=learning data) can be prepared. Canon has a huge image database that has been accumulated through the development of cameras and lenses so far, covering all imaginable subjects, and storing RAW data with more detailed information such as JPEG. increase. In addition, we were able to collect a large amount of ideal training data using the camera manufacturer’s unique know-how, which is well-versed in how camera settings affect image quality.

Curious? Then have a look here (it’s machine translated but well understandable).

Cosina Will Soon Announce A Nokton 50mm f/1 For The RF Mount

NOKTON 50mm F/1

Good news for those looking to an ultra-fast prime lens for the EOS R camera system. A NOKTON 50mm f/1 aspherical lens is coming.

Cosina will soon release a NOKTON RF 50mm f/1 aspherical lens, along with other new prime lenses. Indeed, we expect 5 new lenses, these:

  • NOKTON 50mm F1 Aspherical RF-mount
  • NOKTON 35mm F0.9 Aspherical X-mount
  • NOKTON 55mm F1.2 SLIIs
  • ULTRON 27mm F2 X-mount Black
  • ULTRON 27mm F2 X-mount Silver

Here are the specifications for the NOKTON 50mm f/1 (thanks Mistral75):

Focal length50mm
Maximum aperture1:1
Minimum apertureF16
Lens configuration7 groups 9 elements
Angle of view48.0°
Number of diaphragm blades12
Shortest shooting distance0.45m
Maximum shooting magnification1:6.9
Maximum diameter x total lengthΦ79.3×64.0mm
Filter sizeΦ67mm
Weight650g
Lens hoodDedicated screw-in hood included
Aperture ringEquipped (manual aperture)
Electronic contactsAvailable
Exif informationCorrespondence
OtherSelective Aperture Control System

No specifications so far. All we know for the time being is that the new Cosina lenses will have electrical contacts to communicate with the camera. Moreover, a mechanical system is used for aperture interlocking, and an aperture switching mechanism for moving images is also present.

All upcoming Cosina lenses pictured below, click to enlarge.

[via Digicame-Info]

This Camera Has Been Reduced To The Size Of A Salt Grain

Camera

Researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington have presented a camera with the size of a salt grain.

The researchers…

[…] have overcome these obstacles with an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The new system can produce crisp, full-color images on par with a conventional compound camera lens 500,000 times larger in volume, the researchers reported in a paper published Nov. 29 in Nature Communications.

Enabled by a joint design of the camera’s hardware and computational processing, the system could enable minimally invasive endoscopy with medical robots to diagnose and treat diseases, and improve imaging for other robots with size and weight constraints. Arrays of thousands of such cameras could be used for full-scene sensing, turning surfaces into cameras.

A key innovation in the camera’s creation was the integrated design of the optical surface and the signal processing algorithms that produce the image. This boosted the camera’s performance in natural light conditions, in contrast to previous metasurface cameras that required the pure laser light of a laboratory or other ideal conditions to produce high-quality images, said Felix Heide, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor of computer science at Princeton.

Read more about the camera reduced to the size of a salt grain here.

Canon Already Notifies About Supply Shortage For EOS R8 (and more stuff)

Eos R8

In what seems to be a regular appointment after every recent gear announcement, Canon let’s know that there are supply shortages for the Canon EOS R8. Check all Canon EOS R8 coverage here.

From Canon Japan:

Apology and information regarding product supply status

Updated: February 10, 2023

Thank you for your continued patronage of Canon products.

Currently, we have received more orders than expected for the following products, and due to the global supply of parts, delivery delays are occurring. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and business partners.
We apologize again for making our customers wait so long. We will continue to take measures for stable product supply so that we can deliver products as soon as possible. Thank you kindly look forward for your understanding.

Record

product nameAbout supply
EOS R6 Mark II
Canon EOS R7
Canon EOS R8
RF135mm F1.8L IS USM
RF400mm F2.8L IS USM
RF800mm F5.6L IS USM
Speedlite EL-5
We are planning to ship in order, but it may take longer than usual to deliver.

All new Canon gear is already available for preorder at B&H Photo and Adorama.

Canon EOS R8 world-wide preorder:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon Ends “Kiss” Camera Lineup In Japan (and “Rebel” lineup too?)

Canon

After almost 30 years, Canon is killing the popular “Kiss” camera lineup in Japan (and Asia).

The news comes from ITMedia News, and is nicely summed up by Digicame-Info:

  • On February 8, Canon announced the APS-C mirrorless “EOS R50” that inherited the concept of the company’s entry-level single-lens camera “EOS Kiss” series.
  • The R50 is a model that aims to improve image quality with the EOS R system while inheriting the concept of the company’s “EOS Kiss” series, “simple, clean, compact”. However, it does not bear the name of Kiss, and is not a direct successor to the current model “EOS Kiss M2” of the same brand. Nonetheless, while covering the entry level targeted by Kiss, it will be developed as a model that conveys the appeal of mirrorless cameras more widely.
  • The Kiss series is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, but as mentioned above, the R50 is an entry model but not the “Kiss” series. According to Canon Marketing Japan, camera needs have diversified with the changing times, and in order to convey the appeal of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras to a wider range of people than Kiss users so far, it has been integrated into a model name that is used globally instead of the Kiss brand. It is said that
  • Kiss is a brand name that was originally used in Japan, for example, the overseas name of the EOS Kiss M2 was “EOS M50 Mark II”. However, in addition to the EOS Kiss M2, the EOS Kiss series including single-lens reflex cameras such as the “EOS Kiss X10/X10i” are still on sale, so the Kiss brand will not disappear soon.

This makes me wonder if Canon will kill the Rebel camera lineup too. I guess they will. The new Canon EOS R50 seems to introduce a new entry-level camera lineup that might well replace the Kiss and Rebel lineups.

Any idea?

Here Are The Canon EOS R8 And EOS R50 (plus RF and RF-S lenses)

Eos R8

As expected, Canon announced the new Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R50.

The Canon EOS R8 will be available at $1,499. The Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens with the EOS R8 will have an estimated retail price of $1,699. The Canon EOS R50 camera body will be available for an estimated retail price $679.99. The EOS R50 with the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens will be available for an estimated retail price of $799.99. The EOS R50 with the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lenses will be available for an estimated retail price of $1,029. The RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens will be available for an estimated retail price $299.99 while the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lens will have an estimated retail price of $349.99. All products are currently scheduled to be available in Spring 2023.

All Canon gear announced today are already available for preorder at B&H Photo and Adorama.

Canon EOS R8 preorder:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EOS R50 preorder:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon press release:

Canon Adds EOS R50 and EOS R8 to the Growing EOS R Mirrorless Camera System

Plus, Image Story Telling Through R-Mount Lenses Is Ramped Up With Additions of the New RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM and RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lenses 

MELVILLE, NY, February 7, 2023 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the launch of the new EOS R50 camera body, ideal for entry level users, and the EOS R8, an extremely compact, full-frame camera aimed at advanced amateur photo and video enthusiasts looking for budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice performance. Additionally, two new RF-Mount lenses are being introduced to the ever-growing R-mount lens lineup.

EOS R50

Compact, lightweight and ideal for those looking to step up their video quality, the EOS R50 provides an impressive movie-shooting experience thanks to the APS-C sensor, with 4K video, uncropped 4K capture (at all frame rates), and outstanding Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. With the addition of whole area tracking, subject detection, and movie-prerecording, difficult photo and movie opportunities can be easier to capture with a 24.2-million-pixel, APS-C sized image sensor. In addition, the EOS R50 is equipped with an eye-level electronic viewfinder to help achieve shot steadiness and ease viewing in bright sunlight conditions. A great camera for those who are looking to lean into interchangeable lenses, the EOS R50 camera can capture travel adventures, family portraits, sports, wildlife and even help a small business with marketing imagery. For those who are budding content creators, the EOS R50 will be available later in 2023 as part of a Content Creator Kit – packaged with a microphone, lens and grip. Overall, the EOS R50 is truly a jack of all content creation trades.

“The first time I picked up the EOS R50, I noticed how light it was. When I saw the footage, I wondered how the quality can be so good when it’s this lightweight in my hand. My mind was blown!” Bianca Matisse Taylor – Content creator and blogger

EOS R8

The EOS R8 — affordable and functional — is a full-frame mirrorless camera aimed at the up-and-coming video or photo enthusiast. This camera comes with class-leading autofocus while still extremely capable for everyday and general photography use. Equipped with a 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor and DIGIC X image processor, the EOS R8 is optimal for full-frame RF lenses — allowing enhanced wide-angle field of views when compared to APS-C sensor cameras. Extremely lightweight and compact, the EOS R8 shoots up to 6-fps with 1st-curtain Electronic shutter, and up to 40-fps with full electronic. For users who’ve already explored interchangeable lens cameras but haven’t yet broken into mirrorless, the EOS R8 should be the camera that takes them over the threshold to capture events, weddings, still life, travel and pets.

“My work is a lot about movement and not missing a beat with the fast shutter on the EOS R8 is so important to me as an artist.” Jasper Soloff – Photographer and Director

Additional product specs include:

Video performance

  • Uncropped 4K video to 59.94p (29.97p with EOS R50) (with 6k oversampling)
  • Full-HD to 59.94 fps, and High Frame Rate to 119.8 fps (Full HD 180p with the EOS R8)
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF, with subject detection for people, animals and vehicles
  • Up to 2 hours of continuous recording (one hour with EOS R50); no 30 min limit
  • Focus breathing correction

Enhanced usability for video correction

  • Vertical Video Metadata
  • Movie Self Timer
  • Audio Noise Reduction (only in EOS R8)
  • UVC/UAC Support, for USB livestreaming
  • Recording Emphasis
  • Aspect Markers

Connectivity

  • Easy wireless connection from camera to compatible smartphone
  • Camera Connect with USB connection to compatible smartphone
  • USB streaming direct to computer via Zoom™, Teams™, or Skype™
  • MFI Certified (Apple); WPA3-Personal protected access
  • Convenient firmware updates via compatible smartphone
  • Cloud RAW processing

Alongside the camera bodies, Canon will release two new lenses. The RF-S lens line, optimized for the smaller APS-C sensor size, expands with the Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lens. This is a telephoto zoom, giving coverage equivalent to an 88–336mm lens on a full-frame camera. The lens opens the door to telephoto photography and videography, with 4.5 stops optical image stabilization, and close-focusing that can fill the frame with a subject roughly 2×3 inches in size (at its 210mm zoom setting, and minimum focus distance). And it does all this in an incredibly lightweight and compact package.

The Canon RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is a new, compact standard zoom lens for full-frame EOS R-series cameras. Ranging from true wide-angle to traditional “standard lens” coverage at 50mm, the lens is a travel friendly design with an extremely compact exterior. The RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens is just over 2 inches long when fully retracted, and under 3.5 inches when extended — weighing less than half a pound. Optical Image Stabilization, with 4.5 stops of shake-correction, further enhances its appeal for video and still-image shooting. It’s also useable on an APS-C sensor Canon camera, where the lens’ effective coverage is equivalent to what a 38–80mm would deliver on a full-frame camera.

​​​Price & Availability

​​​​​​​The Canon EOS R8 camera body will be available for an estimated retail price of $1,499.00*. The Canon RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens with the EOS R8 will have an estimated retail price of $1,699.00*. The Canon EOS R50 camera body will be available for an estimated retail price $679.99*. The EOS R50 with the RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens will be available for an estimated retail price of $799.99*. The EOS R50 with the RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lenses will be available for an estimated retail price of $1,029.00*. The RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens will be available for an estimated retail price $299.99* while the RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lens will have an estimated retail price of $349.99*. All products are currently scheduled to be available in Spring 2023.