28mm Lenses Shootout: Canon EOS R5 vs Leica Q2

Leica Q2

Here is a somewhat weird comparison between a Leica Q2 with built in 28mm lens and the Canon EOS R5 with a rather old EF 28mm f/1.8 lens. The lens on the Leica is newer, more expensive and a bit faster.

Alex Barrera quickly compares the Leica Q2 and the Canon EOS R5 in the video below. Enjoy.

More Canon EOS R5 review stuff is listed here, for EOS R6 review stuff see here. The EOS R5 is highly regarded as a stills camera. In particular, the EOS R5 autofocus system seems to be huge leap forwards. User manual are available for download for the EOS R5 and the EOS R6.

Canon EOS R5:

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

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Canon Patent: Automatic Shutter Silencing Depending By Distance And Subject

Canon Patent

Now this is a very interesting Canon patent application that shows well how much attention Canon pays to details that could enhance your photo shooting experience.

Canon patent application 2021-121063 (spotted by asobinet.com) discusses a shutter mechanism that dynamically suppresses shutter sound depending on the subject and the shooting distance. According to the patent, a distance detector (item 58 in the image above) is equipped on the camera, in order to automatically activate the silent shutter functionality.

Think about taking pictures of shy wildlife. The patent literature mentions that a subject is identified by image processing and the distance to the subject is measured. In case of animals and given a certain distance, the silent shooting might be automagically activated.

From the patent literature (machine translated):

If the silent function is automatically activated even when the sound emitted by the imaging control device is at a distance that does not reach the subject, a shooting operation is performed with a setting which is not suitable for the shooting situation and which unnecessarily suppresses the generation of sound. To provide a highly convenient imaging control device by detecting an object as an animal and automatically switching to a setting for suppressing a sound emitted from an imaging control device when a distance from an imaging control device to an object is short.

The imaging control device includes an imaging means for acquiring an image of an object, an animal detection means for detecting a specific animal from an image acquired by the imaging means, and an animal detection means for detecting a specific animal from the image acquired by the imaging means. This device has a measuring means for measuring a distance from an object, and a control means for changing a setting for suppressing a sound emitted from an imaging means according to a detection result of a specific animal by an animal detecting means and a measuring distance by a measuring means.

The patent argues that If the need to switch to silent shooting occurs frequently, having to activate it by hand might mean missing the right moment to snap. This technology might soon come to your next Canon camera. Btw, the camera depicted in the patent looks very much like a xxD model. I do not think this means anything, it’s just an image used to discuss the technology. I see this coming to a future EOS R model, maybe already on the upcoming Canon EOS R3?

More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Canon Has The Top Share Of Press Cameras Used At Olympic Games

Canon Firmware Updates Viltrox Eos R7 Eos R10 Reuters Canon Cameras Europe Canon Eos R1 Eos R Rf 14-35mm Olympic Games Ef-mount Rudy Winston

Canon the n° 1 at the Olympic Games; what else?

Canon press release:

Canon claims top share of press cameras used at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, highlights DSLR and mirrorless cameras and remote image capture technologies that assisted press photographers

TOKYO, August 20, 2021—As a Gold Partner (Still Camera and Desktop Printer) of the Tokyo 2020 Games, Canon helped support professional photographers through the establishment of a camera service booth inside the Main Press Center so they were in the best condition possible to capture photos of athletes engaged in high-level competition during the Opening Ceremonies, Closing Ceremonies and competition events of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Canon is active behind the scenes at a wide variety of sporting events, aiming to achieve “zero downtime” for professional photographers so they are never forced to stop and miss definitive moments of these intense competitions. For decades, the Company has built a reliable reputation and helped support journalists on the front lines through a wide range of services.

In addition to such products as the company’s professional flagship camera, the EOS-1D X Mark III, used by a large number of photographers thanks to its high reliability and ease-of-use, Canon provided on-site support during the eight competition events1 of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Canon achieved the top share, approximately 55%2, of cameras used by professional press photographers at the event.

Alongside the EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon’s EOS R5 and EOS R6 mirrorless cameras were widely used. What’s more, test units of the in-development EOS R3—with high performance and high reliability designed to meet the needs of professional and enthusiast users—were used by a limited number of professional photographers, who gave the camera high praise.

Comment from EOS R3 test user Patrick Smith of Getty Images, the official photo agency of the Tokyo 2020 Games

I am honored to be given the opportunity to test EOS R3 at the world’s largest sporting event. Thanks to the camera’s incredibly fast AF and light weight, I had a much easier time holding and operating the camera for long periods of time. The 30 frames-per-second high-speed continuous shooting also proved excellent. I believe this camera will show us what next-generation performance is like.

Canon’s Robotic Camera System CR-S700R, which enables image capture from a variety of viewpoints and angles, was also installed in multiple locations, contributing to the creation of innovative new ways to capture photos.

Canon will continue striving to create competitive, highly reliable products and, through such on-site support of journalists as equipment maintenance, contribute to the further advancement of photographic and videographic expression.

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Canon Announced New Multifunction Inkjet Printer PIXMA TR4720

PIXMA TR4720

Canon announced a new, inexpensive multifunction inkjet printer, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 (black and white color option).

Orders are open at $99.99 at B&H Photo and Canon USA.

Canon press release:

Designed with Ease and Convenience in Mind – Canon U.S.A. Introduces New Pixma Multifunction Inkjet Printer

MELVILLE, NY, August 19, 2021 Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce the launch of the new PIXMA TR4720 printer. Designed to be the go-to inkjet printer for at-home business projects, this new four-in-one multifunction printer helps solve basic needs, as well as provide an improved user experience when compared to previous models.

College students, schools and home office users will find the functionality of the PIXMA TR4720 printer easy to navigate while producing the high-quality prints consumers have grown accustomed to. In addition, the printer includes a large capacity paper tray, which can reduce the frequency of paper refilling (especially helpful when facing an impending deadline). The app compatibility of the PIXMA TR4720 printer is also impressive. Apps such as: AirPrint®1, Mopria Print Service (AndroidTM users only)2, PIXMA Cloud Link3, Smart Assistant Support (select brands only)4, PosterArtist Lite (Windows® OS users only)5 and more allow the end user to experience a variety of creative print options based on their preferences.

Direct customer feedback was utilized to help improve the user experience versus the predecessor model. The PIXMA TR4720 printer features enhancements that make the input-to-output process easier and more convenient. Compared with previous models, the PIXMA TR4720 printer enables a user to create and print at the touch of a button. Such user experience improvements include:

  • Improved printer initial setup through Canon PRINT app6 provides step-by-step instructions to follow along for simple installation
  • Easier installment and replacement of ink cartridges
  • Front paper tray redesign allows for easier insertion of desired paper size

As an affordable, true four-in-one multifunction printer, the PIXMA TR4720 printer covers both home and business needs. From business plans to term papers – the reliability and versatility that comes with the new PIXMA printer is for anyone who is looking to print quality documents with ease. The PIXMA TR4720 also features a built-in fax, eliminating the need to use a mobile application to complete faxing needs.

The Canon PIXMA TR4720 printer also includes:

  • 2 FINE 4 color hybrid ink cartridges
  • Approximately 8.8 ipm (black) / 4.4 ipm (color) print speed7
  • Up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi print resolution8
  • Auto Document Feeder for scanning documents
  • Wireless Direct Connection9
  • Auto Duplex Print for letter-size paper

Today Only Deal: Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF Lens – $419 (reg. $529)

Tokina Atx-i 11-20mm

Rather good deal today only at B&H Photo. The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF Lens with 21% discount.

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 17.6-32mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Three Aspherical Elements
  • Three Low Dispersion Elements
  • Anti-Reflective Multi-Layer Lens Coating
  • SD-M AF Motor, Internal Focusing
  • One-Touch Focus Clutch Mechanism
  • Water-Repellent Top Coating
  • 9-Blade Diaphragm

Get the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF Lens on sale at $419. Compare at $529.


Hand-picked deals are listed here.

Deal pages:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals might be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

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Canon EOS R5 Firmware Update Released (version 1.4.0)

Eos R5 8k Video

As expected, Canon released a new firmware for the Canon EOS R5. Nothing earthshaking, and mostly video oriented.

You can download Canon EOS R5 firmware version 1.4.0 here.

Firmware Version 1.4.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1) Adds support for outputting 8K/30p/10-bit video signals for ProRes RAW recording to ATOMOS’s Ninja V+ recorder* via HDMI.

  • If you have any questions about ATOMOS products, please contact ATOMOS directly.
  • Please note that the recorder may become hot.

2) Adds support for movie recording when the camera is connected to the CN-E18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S or CN-E70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S EF cinema lenses.

  • Still photography shooting is possible however performance is not guaranteed.
  • Movie shooting in vertical position is possible however performance is not guaranteed.
  • External power supply is required for AF operation during servo zoom operation. When there is no external power supply, AF operation is activated only when the servo zoom is not in use.

3) Adds simultaneous movie recording capability on card 1 and card 2, however RAW movies and RAW(Light) movies cannot be recorded simultaneously on card 1 and card 2.

4) Adds support for the VPG 400 (Video Performance Guarantee Profile), a standard based on the CFexpress 2.0 specification.

5) Improves operation stability when using the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4 L IS USM.

6) Fixes an issue in which, during HDMI connection, if the camera’s screen turns off, a zebra pattern is displayed via the HDMI output.

7) Fixes an issue in which sufficient image stabilization effects may not be attained immediately after the start of shooting.

Firmware Version 1.4.0 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.3.1. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.4.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.