A noteworthy Canon patent application was published on March 8, 2025. This patent details an innovative optical system designed for full-frame pancake lenses, specifically “21mm F8” and “26mm F8.” These ultra-compact lenses aim to deliver high optical performance while maintaining a slim form factor, making them particularly appealing for photographers seeking portability without compromising image quality.

Patent Overview

• Publication Number: P2025029311
• Release Date: March 6, 2025
• Title: Optical System and Imaging Device Having the Same
• Application Date: August 21, 2023
• Applicant:
  • Identification Number: 000001007
  • Company Name: Canon Inc.

The patent describes a compact optical system engineered to provide superior optical performance, addressing challenges commonly associated with small form-factor lenses.

Background

In imaging devices, there is a growing demand for lenses that balance compactness with exceptional optical quality, ensuring sharpness from the center to the periphery of the frame. However, conventional designs, such as those outlined in prior patents, often suffer from optical aberrations, including pincushion distortion, leading to reduced performance at the edges of the image. This new optical system seeks to overcome these limitations by offering a refined design that enhances image quality across the entire frame.

With this development, Canon appears to be pushing the boundaries of lens miniaturization while maintaining high standards of optical performance, potentially expanding creative possibilities for photographers and videographers alike.

Example 1

• Focal length: 21.45
• F-number: 8.00
• Half angle of view: 45.25
• Image height: 21.64
• Overall length: 27.17
• Back Focus: 16.13

Example 2

• Focal length: 26.25
• F-number: 8.00
• Half angle of view: 39.49
• Image height: 21.64
• Overall length: 31.98
• Back focal length: 20.42

Well this might have been the most discrete camera announcement in Canon’s history. Canon will release the PowerShot V1, a compact digital camera that enables easy, professional video and still image shooting, in late April 2025.

B&H Photo will notify you when the PowerShot V1 is available. For more information check this page at Canon Japan.

Press release by Canon Japan (machine translated);

The PowerShot V1 is the second compact digital camera in the PowerShot V series, which allows users to enjoy full-scale video shooting, following the Vlog camera PowerShot V10 (released in June 2023). Compared to the 1.0-type sensor installed in a normal compact digital camera, the 1.4-type CMOS sensor is about twice the area, achieving high image quality and high sensitivity. In 35mm equivalent, it covers a zoom range equivalent to a focal length of about 16mm to 50mm, and is compatible with a wide range of scenes such as selfies with multiple people, snapshots, and Vlogs. In addition, it combines the functions required by creators, such as high-performance AF and a variety of shooting modes, with a compact body, making it easy to shoot full-scale videos and still images. Canon will continue to expand its models that can both shoot full-scale videos and still images to meet the needs of a variety of users.

An integrated lens camera that combines professional photography performance with a compact body

The combination of a 1.4-inch CMOS sensor with a maximum effective pixel count of approximately 22.3 million pixels , the first Canon compact digital camera to be equipped with the DIGIC X image engine, achieves a maximum standard ISO sensitivity of 32,000 (when shooting still images). Canon’s proprietary AF system, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II for PowerShot , also achieves high-speed, high-precision AF. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Eye Detection function makes it possible to detect the eyes of animals, whose movements are difficult to predict, in addition to people, making it easy to focus when shooting. With full-fledged shooting performance packed into a compact body, you can carry it around with you on trips and enjoy shooting.

Video recording functions that allow for greater freedom in video expression, including the incorporation of a cooling fan

The camera is equipped with a cooling fan inside, which efficiently releases heat, reducing the impact of temperature rise on video recording time. In addition to realizing 4K crop/60P video recording, it supports “Canon Log 3”, allowing recording with rich 10-bit gradation and excellent color reproduction. Furthermore, shooting modes such as “Review Video”, which is suitable for product reviews, and “Image Stabilization Video”, which is effective for handheld shooting, ^*5 make video recording comfortable.

High-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second ensures you never miss a subject, and still image shooting functions enable a wide range of creative expression

When using the electronic shutter, continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second is possible, making it possible to capture fast-moving subjects. In addition, the camera automatically recognizes the scene and supports difficult scenes such as night scenes and backlit scenes with the “Advanced A+” mode, and “Creative Filters” allow for impressive shots such as diorama and toy camera style shots, and many other functions that enable rich photographic expression.

Canon published their financial results for the year 2024. All is good and the company is in good health.

From Canon:

As for interchangeable-lens cameras, demand is stable thanks to needs of professionals and people who enjoy shooting still images as well as the needs of SNS users to shoot video. Additionally, demand was stimulated by the investment of each company to expand sales. As a result, the size of the market in 2024 was 6.3 million units, which exceeds last year. And in 2025, we expect it to be around the same level.
In addition to launching two new models in the second half of the year, the EOS R5 Mark II for professionals and enthusiasts and the EOS R1, our flagship model, we also conducted sales promotions for entry-class models. As a result, net sales of cameras in the selling season fourth quarter increase 14.6%, resulting in a 6.5% increase for the full year.
In 2025 as well, our plan is to expand sales of full-frame models, mainly the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1, which will raise our average selling price and lead to an increase in RF lens sales. Additionally, due to the spread of SNS, the popularity of compact cameras that can easily capture images that differ from those of smartphones is growing among young people. As a result, we are seeing a buildup of orders, mainly for higher priced models like the PowerShot G7 X Mark III. We aim to expand overall camera sales by 8.4% through increased production and supply.

A new Canon rumor surfaced, and it’s about new R7 models.

Rumors surrounding Canon’s EOS R7 lineup have been circulating ever since the original EOS R7 was launched in 2022, with early whispers suggesting a potential EOS R7 C. However, it seems that this model was eventually scrapped before reaching the market—proof that sometimes even the best rumors ideas get cancelled.

Looking ahead, the Canon EOS R7 Mark II is expcted to arrive sometime in the second half of 2025. While there are no confirmed specs as of yet, the word is that the new model will be “upmarket,” possibly offering more advanced features. In addition to the R7 Mark II, Canon is rumored to be working on two versions: a video-focused variant (speculatively named the Canon EOS R7 V) and a photography-focused model. It’s speculated that the R7 Mark II may take a similar approach to the old EOS 7D series, which was essentially a “baby” version of the high-end EOS-1D X line.

The upcoming Canon EOS R50 V is also expected to give us a glimpse into Canon’s future plans for their “V” series of RF-mount cameras. With the “V” designation appearing in both the PowerShot and EOS R lines, it’s clear that Canon has some exciting developments ahead.

That said, be cautious with these rumors—while intriguing, they don’t come from the most reliable sources. Time will tell what’s real and what’s just speculation or wishful thinking.

All Canon rumors are listed here.

[via Canon Rumors]

Will we see plastic lens elements in future Canon lenses? A pertinent Canon patent application was spotted.

Canon patent application P025019790, published In Japan on February 7, 2025, introduces a new zoom lens and imaging device. The patent addresses the challenge of creating a compact, large-aperture zoom lens with minimal aberration. To achieve this, Canon proposes the use of plastic lenses, as seen in examples like the 28-105mm F4, 24-35mm F2, and 24-35mm F3.5.

The key idea of the invention is to utilize resin lenses in the zoom lens construction, which helps reduce the weight of the lens. However, resin lenses are known to be sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, which can cause fluctuations in focus and optical aberration. Previous patents have attempted to address this by pairing resin lenses with both positive and negative refractive power in the same lens group to counteract these fluctuations.

Canon’s new approach focuses on using resin lenses in a way that minimizes the impact of temperature and humidity on optical performance. This innovation aims to provide a lightweight, small-sized zoom lens that retains consistent optical quality despite environmental changes. The patent also explores methods to stabilize the refractive power of resin lenses, particularly those made from high-dispersion materials, which are prone to changes due to moisture absorption.

Example 1

• Focal length: 24.70-48.80
• F-number: 2.90
• Half angle of view: 37.93-23.91
• Image height: 19.25-21.64
• Total length: 127.00-146.40
• Back focus: 19.97-29.15

Example 2

• Focal length: 24.70-67.90
• F-number: 2.90
• Half angle of view: 37.63-17.67
• Image height: 19.04-21.64
• Total length: 141.13-173.50
• Back focus: 13.00-31.83

Example 3

• Focal length: 28.84-101.85
• F-number: 4.12
• Half angle of view: 33.94-11.99
• Image height: 19.41-21.64
• Overall length: 185.56-248.11
• Back focus: 19.76-23.79

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Here is a new Canon patent application for the nerds out there. Btw, “nerd” is no an insult in my world :-)

Canon patent P2025015010 (japan, published 01/30/2025) discussed optical formulas for a bunch of prime lenses:

• 20mm F1.4
• 24mm F1.4
• 28mm F1.4

From the patent literature:

• An optical system is provided that is compact yet has high optical performance by suppressing aberrations and fluctuations in the angle of view that occur during focusing.
• Description of the Related Art: In recent years, optical systems used in image pickup apparatuses are required to be compact and to perform high-speed focusing.
• In view of this, a system in which a plurality of lens groups move during focusing is known as a compact configuration for suppressing fluctuations in aberrations that occur during focusing while reducing the weight of the lens groups that move during focusing.
• SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system that is compact and has high optical performance by suppressing aberrations and fluctuations in the angle of view that occur during focusing.

Example 1

• Focal length: 20.63
• F-number: 1.46
• Half angle of view: 42.73
• Image height:
• Overall length: 112.63
• Back focal length: 45.44

Example 2

• Focal length: 28.80
• F-number: 1.46
• Half angle of view: 33.89
• Image height:
• Total length: 119.74
• Back Focus: 14.63

Example 3

• Focal length: 24.72
• F-number: 1.46
• Half angle of view: 37.14
• Image height:
• Overall length: 118.17
• Back Focus: 15.18

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]