For 20 Years In A Row, Canon Was And Is The Leader Of The Global Interchangeable-lens Market

Canon
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Just to remind all who rules the lens market. It’s Canon. For 20 consecutive years, Canon has maintained the No.1 share of the global market of interchangeable lenses. Kudos.

Canon press release:

Canon celebrates 20th consecutive year of No. 1 share of global interchangeable-lens digital camera market

TOKYO, March 28, 2023—Canon Inc. announced today that the company’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and mirrorless cameras) have maintained the No. 1 share of the global market for 20 consecutive years1 from 2003 to 2022.

Canon develops the key imaging system components featured in its EOS series of digital interchangeable-lens cameras—CMOS image sensors, image processors and interchangeable lenses—under the core concept of, “Speed, Comfort and High Image Quality.” Putting together a wide-ranging product lineup—from high-performance flagship models that are highly trusted by professionals to entry-level models that allow users to enjoy high-image-quality shooting with easy operation, as well as a rich selection of RF and EF series lenses that make possible a wealth of creative expression—Canon continues to support the diverse needs of customers.

During the dawn of digital SLR cameras, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D in other regions) in September 2003. This groundbreaking camera, which was competitively priced and featured a compact, lightweight design, became the engine for growth in the digital SLR market, capturing the top share of the global market and heralding the age of digital SLR cameras. Since that time, Canon has continued to launch a range of groundbreaking products, including the professional-model EOS-1D series and the EOS 5D series, which paved the way for digital SLR video recording. Canon’s desire to further expand the boundaries of visual expression led to its next-generation EOS R System, launched in October 2018, that includes the EOS R5—the first camera to feature 8K video recording2—released in July 2020 and the EOS R3 in November 2021, which features tracking of fast-moving subjects and continuous shooting performance. In addition, Canon launched the EOS VR System, designed to record video for virtual reality content, in December 2021.

In 2022, Canon announced the EOS R7 (released in June 2022) and EOS R10 (released in July 2022) the first APS-C size models in the EOS R Series, and the EOS R6 Mark II full-frame camera (released in December 2022) that features advanced AF functionality and superb video capabilities, alongside six new RF lenses3. While further expanding its lineup Canon managed to secure the No. 1 share of the global market for the 20th consecutive year.

Canon will continue to refine its proprietary imaging technologies while further strengthening and expanding the EOS series of cameras and RF/EF series of lenses, opening up new avenues of image capture to meet the needs of increasingly diverse users and to promote the spread of photo and video culture.

Canon Execs Interview At CP+ 2023 (“we continue to support and intend to continue the M system”)

Canon Eos M50 Mark Ii Review
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Soon to be defunct DPReview interviewed a bunch of Canon executives at CP+ 2023. Here is what the had to say.

DPReview “met with senior executives from Canon to get their thoughts on the state of the camera industry, gain insight into the future of eye-controlled autofocus, and find out what’s in store for the EF-M system“. Here are some excerpts.

How is the transition from DSLR to mirrorless cameras progressing? Has the adoption rate of RF-mount cameras and lenses met Canon’s expectations?

We’re seeing a similar trend to the worldwide market: the percentage of mirrorless cameras is increasing and it’s doing so with our products as well. When we look into this, we still see a steady number of customers who prefer DSLRs, and we do place importance on such customers.

Therefore, we’re continuing to produce lenses that can be used with a DSLR or with [mirrorless] camera systems using adapters. If we look at last year, mirrorless represented about 70% of the interchangeable lens market.

Canon’s subject tracking system is now among the best in the business. What was required to reach this level of performance, and what other improvements might we look forward to?

Our basic technology is based on hardware, using both our dual pixel CMOS sensor and the DIGIC engine. In terms of software, we adopt a high level of deep learning technology to improve the recognition capabilities for any type of subject. Those are the basic technologies […]

What do APS-C cameras in RF-mount mean for the future of the EF-M system?

The concept of the R50 is to be compact and light. If we look at the M system, the mount itself is small, therefore the structure is even smaller and lighter.

There are customers who wish to have their camera smaller and lighter, and that demand is still strong. As long as these demands persist in the market, we will continue to support and intend to continue the M system.

It seems Canon once more rebuked some clickbaiting folks who desperately want to see the EOS M system go away. Nope, it’s here to stay.

[via DPReview]

Canon EOS R6 Firmware 1.8.1 Released (after 1.8.0 was pulled)

Canon Eos R6 Manual
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After having pulled the previous firmware update after a few days, Canon swiftly released another, error-free firmware update.

Canon EOS R6 firmware 1.8.1 delivers the following:

This firmware includes the following enhancements and fixes:

  • You can now trim and resize images while transferring them to the FTP server.
  • After updating to firmware version 1.8.0, the phenomenon that Err70 occurred under certain conditions has been fixed.
  • Fixed minor bugs.
    • *1. and 3. are changes in Version 1.8.0, and 2. are additions in Version 1.8.1.

Concerning the previous firmware:

In firmware version 1.8.0, which had been stopped downloading, it was confirmed that Err70 etc. was displayed under certain conditions.
Customers who have already updated to Version 1.8.0 are kindly requested to update to Version 1.8.1. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.

You can download Canon EOS R6 firmware 1.8.1 here.

Canon Published Their Corporate Strategy For The Upcoming Years

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Canon posted the companies corporate strategy for the years to come.

As for the imaging sector (excerpt):

The main products currently supporting the Imaging Group are the EOS R System, the Cinema EOS System, professional camcorders, broadcast lenses, network cameras, etc.

For the purpose of shooting and viewing images, we have grown this business. From now own, however, through the development of new technologies and responding to market changes, we are promoting expansion into new business areas, namely image experience, image utilization and utilizing components as show on this charge.

Our results of last year and our future growth strategy.

Last year, the Imaging Group achieved sales and profit growth and a significant improvement in profitability. As for cameras, our mirrorless camera market share remained stable thanks to our strong market reputation. We also posted strong sales of new products. Through this, our camera business is supporting earnings as a mainstay of Imaging.

As for network cameras, we posted record-high sales thanks to significant growth in AXIS revenue. Additionally, Free Viewpoint Video, which is a new initiative, is expanding its field of activities such as commercials and dramas. It was also well received by professional sports broadcasts in Japan and overseas. Our future growth strategy is to create new businesses while maintaining high profitability in existing ones. With EOS R and other existing products, we will create new markets and businesses by offering attractive products that anticipate market demands, strengthen our profit structure, activate group synergies, and deliver unprecedented value through products and solutions.

[…] This year, we expect the global market for interchangeable lens cameras to be around 5.5 to 6 million units and more than 70% of this to be mirrorless cameras. This year as well, we expect to maintain our No. 1 share of the interchangeable-lens camera market and at the same time aim to No. 1 in mirrorless cameras as sub-segment as well. In addition to market share, we
will also work to expand sales volume of the EOS R System itself through three measures. The first is “enhancing the EOS R System.” To this end, we will expand our lineup of cameras and lenses to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Moreover, in recent years, the demographic of video-oriented users, such as video creators, media users, and SNS users, is thick and growing. We aim to expand the scale of the R system by including functions and performance that respond to user requests not only for still images but also for videos

All published documents are available here.

Canon Delays Release And Shipping Of Speedlite EL-5 (to Summer 2023)

Canon Speedlite EL-5
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It seems that we have to wait a bit longer for the new Canon Speedlite EL-5. At least until Summer 2023.

At a glance:

  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Radio Transmission
  • Guide Number: 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
  • Runs on LP-EL Lithium-Ion Battery
  • Modeling Lamp; Multi-Function Shoe
  • Zoom Range: 24-200mm (14mm with Panel)
  • Recycle Time: 0.1-1.2 Seconds
  • Extended Control from 1/1 to 1/1024
  • Joystick, Dial, and High-Definition LCD
  • Remote Control with Camera Connect App
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction

It already was delayed, and foreseen to ship in March 2023. Now it’s Summer 2023. Canon Japan statement:

Notice of postponement of release of Speedlite EL-5

Regarding the Speedlite EL-5, which was announced on November 2, 2022 and was scheduled to be released in March 2023, due to production reasons, we are unable to prepare a sufficient supply for the launch. , We have decided to postpone the release to around the summer of 2023.

We would like to inform you and sincerely apologize.

Scheduled release date

(Before change) Scheduled to be released in March 2023
(After change) Scheduled to be released around summer 2023

We will announce the information about the release schedule in early June.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused to customers who are waiting, but we will do our best to prepare for the release, so we ask for your continued patronage.

We will keep you posted. Description after the break.

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