How Many EF Lenses Are Out There? 80 Millions (and raising)

25 years after the launch of the EOS System, on August 3th, Canon has sold its 80-millionth EF Lens. It was 10 millions in 1995, 20 millions in 2001, 30 millions in 2006, 40 millions in 2008, 50 millions in 2009, followed by 60 millions in January 2011 and 70 millions in October of the same year. How long will it take to get to the 90 millions mark…?

Canon’s Press Release:

Canon Celebrates Production Of 80 Million EF Lenses

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 21, 2012 – Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 80-millionth EF lens on August 3, 2012. Production of EF lenses surpassed the 10-million mark in 1995, doubling to 20 million units in 2001. After reaching the 30 million unit milestone in 2006, Canon celebrated the production of its 40-millionth lens in 2008. Owing to the rapid spread of the EOS Digital series of SLR cameras, production for Canon’s EF lenses then gained momentum to reach the 50 million unit milestone in 2009, followed by the 60 million mark in January 2011 and the 70 million mark in October of the same year. Now, just over nine months later, the EF lens series has reached the 80 million mark on August 3, 2012, adding a distinguished achievement to the 25th anniversary of the launch of Canon’s EOS system.

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Canon Announces PowerShot SX500 IS And SX 160 IS Cameras

PowerShot SX 500 IS price check: [shopcountry 6600] PowerShot SX 160 IS price check: [shopcountry 6601]

Today Canon announced two new compact cameras with big zooms, the [shoplink 6600]Powershot SX 500 IS ($329)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 6601]Powershot SX 160 IS ($229)[/shoplink].

Powershot SX 500 IS Specs:

  • 16MP CCD Sensor
  • DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • 24mm Wide Angle Lens w/ 30x Optical Zoom
  • 3.0″ LCD Display with 461,000 Dots
  • 720p HD Video with Dedicated Button
  • Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization
  • HDMI Output for Immediate HDTV Screening
  • 32 Predefined Shooting Situations
  • Zoom Framing Assist for Better Telephoto
  • High Speed Autofocus

The PowerShot SX500 IS gives you all the power of super zoom in a camera that’s sized to go everywhere! The extremely powerful 30x Optical Zoom with 24mm Wide-Angle Lens (35mm equivalent: 24-720mm) gives you true shooting versatility, while the Optical Image Stabilizer ensures crisp, brilliant images at any zoom length. Image quality is spectacular thanks to the 16.0 Megapixel sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and you can capture stunningly realistic 720p HD video in stereo sound with a simple press of the movie button. An enhanced Zoom Framing Assist button helps you track and capture subjects for sharp super telephoto photography, and new High Speed AF dramatically reduces lag time so you’ll never miss a shot. Just hold the PowerShot SX500 IS in your hand to experience what makes the new design so special. The camera’s slim, compact body is proportioned in perfect relation to the giant zoom, while rounded corners with angled grips are a natural fit for the palm of your hand. Zoom right onto the field to capture sports action, achieve those wide-angle travel shots, preserve memories of special events as beautiful HD video – it’s all possible with the PowerShot SX500 IS!

Powershot SX 160 IS Specs:

  • 16MP CCD Sensor
  • Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • 28mm Wide-angle Lens w/ 16x Optical Zoom
  • Large 3.0″ LCD Display
  • 720p HD Video with Dedicated Button
  • HDMI Output for HDTV Screening
  • Smart AUTO with 32 Predefined Situations
  • Optical Image Stabilization System
  • High Speed Autofocus
  • AA Battery Convenience

Powershot SX 160 IS. You’ll want to carry this compact, versatile camera everywhere, because it gives every shooting opportunity the potential to become a beautiful image. The spectacular 16x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and Optical Image Stabilizer captures clear, vivid images whether your subject is up close or far away. And with the 16.0 Megapixel sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor, every detail is precisely rendered for truly impressive image quality. The PowerShot SX160 IS captures breathtakingly realistic 720p HD video in stereo sound with the press of a button. You can zoom while shooting your videos and view them easily later on your HDTV through the HDMI connector. Smart AUTO makes shooting stills and video easy because the camera automatically selects the right settings for 32 predefined shooting situations. Shoot freely and naturally with new High Speed AF that dramatically increases focus speed so you’ll capture every shot you want. And because the PowerShot SX160 IS is powered by AA batteries, you’ll always be ready to shoot.

[Rumor] Are These The EOS 3DX Specs? (more supposed details leaked, a mini 1DX?)

CR broke the news a few minutes ago:

Canon EOS-3D X Specifications

  • 46 MP
  • 3.7 frame per second
  • Dual DIGIC 5+
  • ISO: (25) 50-6400 (12800)
  • AF: Same as 1DX
  • USB 3
  • CF+SD

Another feature mentioned about the camera is better heat dissipation of the sensor compared to other EOS cameras. Apparently, this results in industry leading low ISO performance.

Here at CW we got a similar rumor (thank you), and we are also taking it with a grain of salt. The rumor overlaps with the reported specs and adds some details about the shaping of the camera body. I quote the source (emphasis mine):

Its a new type of body, looks like a mini 1DX, it has a integrated portrait grip but its a bit thinner and significantly shorter and also lighter (no rear lcd panel)

I like the “looks like a mini[shoplink 4119]1DX[/shoplink]” part. :-) I also got some details about the heath issue. To achieve an outstanding low ISO image quality the sensor is said to get much less hot than sensors on other Canon DSLRs. Seconding the source is has to do with the

amplification signal value that [has] changed in this camera

Image quality at ISO 50 is said to be the cleanest, sharpest and smoothest [ever seen]. On the other hand, IQ at ISO 1600 seems to be not so exciting. And yes, the rumored camera should show up at Photokina.

If this rumor is true, then Canon would fit the EOS 3DX between the [shoplink 4119]EOS-1D X (in stock here)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink]. However, be aware that Canon 3D rumors are coming and going since some years. And the price? No hints. Not sure if it would cost less than the [shoplink 4119]EOS-1D X[/shoplink]. Photokina is close and we soon will know. The other possible big thing at Photokina could be a more pro-oriented mirrorless camera. With the EOS M Canon has shown that it can do it, that it has the needed technology and the know how.

[Review] EOS 5D Mark III In-Depth Review (comparison, samples, etc, and a great 5D3 deal)

Image credit: The Phoblographer

Chris Gampat at the Phoblographer published another one of his great reviews. It’s a long term review of the [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink]. Other photographer have been involved. The review covers every aspect of the 5D3 you may be interested in (including video modes). Lot’s of samples are provided. The review has been done over the period of a couple of months. Additional contributing was done by photographers Thomas Campbell and Thursten Kent. A review that is definitely worth to be read if you are interested in the 5D Mark III.

You can get the 5D Mark III for [shoplink 6499 ebay]$3,077 (click here)[/shoplink]!!. The 5D3 with an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF is sold for [shoplink 6500 ebay]$3,903.31 (click here)[/shoplink].

EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431]

[Review] To L-Lens Or Not To L-Lens, That’s The Question!

At least the question Kai and the staff at DigitalRev are trying to answer. They took a [shoplink 129]Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro[/shoplink] vs the [shoplink 6552]Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro[/shoplink] approach. So, if you want to know what’s so special about L lenses, then this is the right video to watch.

Be aware that there is an August Lens Rebates program going on. You can get the mentioned lenses with some consistent discount. Check the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro at Adorama (refurbished here) and B&H, the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro at Adorama and B&H.

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro price check: [shopcountry 6552] EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro price check: [shopcountry 129]