Canon Patent: RF 17-70mm Lens For EOS R Camera System

Might this Canon patent application lead to a product that will actually hit the shelves? We’ve not made up our mind so far.

Canon patent application 2020-012922 (Japan) discusses optical formulas of what might become a future kit lens for the Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system. The patent literature discusses formulas for two 17-70mm and a 16-60mm lens, and for both the EF and the RF mount. We think the RF mount lens is the one to have an eye on. The discussed lenses:

Canon EF mount:

• Focal length 17.40 35.00 68.00  
• F-number 3.33 4.09 5.88  
• Half-field angle (degree) 51.19 31.72 17.65  
• Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64  
• Total lens length 168.42 153.33 168.42  
• BF 38.32 53.44 84.11  

• Focal length 16.30 35.00 60.00  
• F-number 3.31 4.22 5.88  
• Half angle of view (degrees) 53.01 31.72 19.83  
• Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64  
• Total lens length 68.46 153.33 168.42  
• BF 38.35 56.15 83.82 

Canon RF mount:

• Focal length 17.40 34.99 67.97  
• F-number 3.31 4.12 5.88  
• Half angle of view (degrees) 51.20 31.73 17.66  
• Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64  
• Total lens length 168.41 154.99 168.39  
• BF 8.36 52.48 81.91 

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

• Patent Application: mirrorless camera with large display and virtual control wheel
• Patent Application: IBIS and Lens IS Working Together
• Patent application for high speed mirror movement and control
• Patent application for an RF 14-28mm f/2 lens
• Patent application for an RF 50mm f/1.8 lens
• Patent application for a smart lens cap
• Patent application for celestial auto-focus
• Patent application describing a Pop-Up Flash With LED
• Patent application describing the optical formula for a RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS lens for EOS R systems
• Patent application describing how to improve burst rate by compressing raw files
• Patent application describing a new way to review photos from a sequential shot
• Patent application that describes technology to improve wireless communication while reducing power consumption
• Patent application to spot and reduce moire artefacts in image data
• Patent application for weather sealed lens adapter
• Patent application for AI powered predictive camera control system
• Patent application for 18-55mm kit lens with LCD display
• Patent application to reduce noise in image files