Canon wants you ready for the next total solar eclipse in the USA, has a dedicated site for this

canon rumors

Canon started a dedicated site to get you ready for the next total solar eclipse in the USA.

Canon press release:

Canon Prepares for First Total Eclipse Across the Country Since 1918 with Specialized Educational Content and Resources

”A Total Guide to Totality” Blog Features Expert Tips, Videos, and Resources for Capturing This Rare Celestial Phenomenon

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 18, 2017 – On August 21, 2017, the Moon will pass between the Sun and the Earth, fully blocking the Sun from view for over two minutes to a large portion of the country. This natural phenomenon is called a total solar eclipse; this is the first one to race across the entire country in 99 years. The last one viewed in the United States occurred in 1979. Serving as a resource for all photographers interested in documenting these once-in-a-lifetime moments, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the launch of the Canon Eclipse Blog, “A Total Guide to Totality” (usa.canon.com/eclipse); a vital resource for anyone looking to capture what is likely to be the most photographed total solar eclipse to date.

The blog, co-authored by Canon Explorer of Light Ken Sklute and photographer Dave Henry, will feature a series of ongoing posts with helpful guidelines, images and videos that teach photographers of all skill levels how to capture the total solar eclipse including tips that may help protect your eyes and camera’s lenses and sensor. In addition to the blog, consumers can also learn and practice their photography skills in-person through specialized Canon Live Learning workshops at Canon facilities around the country.

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Canon Expands its Leading Sheet-fed Inkjet Portfolio with new technology and products

canon rumors

Canon press release:

Canon Expands its Leading Sheet-fed Inkjet Portfolio with the New Océ VarioPrint i200 Inkjet Press, MICR inks, and the next generation PRISMAsync controller

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 18, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc. a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced its newest inkjet technology breakthrough, poised to increase application ranges and help ensure even faster turnaround times for professional printers looking to expand their business offerings and explore new opportunities.

Canon, a world leader in imaging solutions, is proud to announce the Océ VarioPrint i-series Release 2, an expansion into a family of groundbreaking products that include the introduction of the Océ VarioPrint i200 press, an MICR version for sensitive financial documents, and the previously launched, revolutionary Océ VarioPrint i300 device. Powered by Océ iQuarius technologies, the new expansion is set to provide inkjet productivity combined with sheet-fed versatility, while offering cost-effective, premium inkjet quality prints on an expansive range of media. By taking action to expand the inkjet line of products, a broader range of customers will have access to a highly versatile device that is within their budget and enable them to acquire a device that better serves their operational needs.

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Canon’s medical business sets sails, report suggests

canon rumors

Some of you will probably remember that Canon bought Toshiba’s medical division. According to Nikkei Asian Review, Canon is set to be part of the global players in this domain.

TOKYO — Having emerged as a savior for buying Toshiba’s medical systems operations for a hefty sum, Canon has now embarked on a fresh journey as a major player chasing global leaders in health care equipment featuring the latest information technology.

Toshiba Medical Systems, which became a Canon subsidiary at the end of 2016, showcased several new products at a medical imaging trade fair that opened Friday in Yokohama. New offerings such as CT and MRI scanners accentuated the unit’s fresh start.

Canon is still king but Sony now is 2nd seller of full-frame DSLR in USA, overtook Nikon

sony

Sony’s conquer of the photographic industry made another step forward. Sony is now second ranked in USA when it comes to full-frame DSLRs, they surpassed Nikon. Canon is stil the first manufacturer for full-frame DSLRs in the USA.
Sony press text:

SAN DIEGO, April 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has announced today that their continued growth has vaulted them into the #2 overall position in the U.S. full-frame interchangeable lens camera market. 1

Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras and lenses have seen record sales in 2017, in particular within the U.S. full-frame camera market, where they have experienced double-digit growth (+23%) 2 compared to the same period last year. The popularity of key models including α7RII and α7SII has been paramount to this success.
Additionally, Sony’s rapid growth has helped to drive growth of the overall full-frame interchangeable lens camera market compared to the same period last year. Without Sony’s contributions, the full-frame market would be facing a slight decline. 3
“Our commitment to the industry is stronger than ever,” said Neal Manowitz, VP of Digital Imaging at Sony North America. “We are always listening to our customers, combining their feedback with our intense passion for innovation to deliver products, services and support like no other.”
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting content shot Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com , Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.
Notes to Editors
1The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan- Feb 2017
2The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

3The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

[via Sony Alpha Rumors]

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV firmware update 1.0.4 released today, but it’s not what we were waiting for

Eos 5d Mark V

Canon released firmware 1.0.4 for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. It’s not the rumored update with the new 4K mode. This is a minor update with fixes. Download Canon EOS 5D Mark IV firmware 1.0.4 here.

Changes in the Firmware. Firmware Version 1.0.4 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which a red-colored area may appear at the bottom-center of a captured image when shooting in bulb mode or during a long exposure.

2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the autofocus may not respond when the autofocus is initiated via pressing the shutter button, the AF-ON button or the AE lock button when configured in the custom control menu.

3. Enhances the reliability of communications between the camera and SD card.

4. Fixes incorrect wording on the Finnish language menu screen.

Firmware Version 1.0.4 is for cameras with firmware Version 1.0.3 or earlier. If your camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.4, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

When updating the firmware of your camera, please review the instructions thoroughly before you update the firmware.

The firmware update takes approximately 4 minutes.

Canon Dual Pixel Auto-Focus Technology explained


The Canon Digital Learning Center posted a new article about the company’s proprietary Dual Pixel Auto-Focus (DPAF) technology.

Dual Pixel AF was first introduced with the Canon EOS 70D, and has since then found its way to high end Canon Cine products and pro and semi-pro DSLRs, as well as into a mirrorless camera (well, eventually). Dual Pixel AF is a game changer and an industry’s exclusive you get only with Canon cameras.

Put simply, Dual Pixel AF takes autofocus to the next level. It provides both smooth and consistent focus for a wide range of photo and video applications. Each pixel on the CMOS imaging sensor has two separate, light-sensitive photodiodes, which convert light into an electronic signal. Independently, each half of a pixel detects light through separate micro lenses, atop each pixel. During AF detection, the two halves of each pixel — the two photodiodes — send separate signals, which are analyzed for focus information. Then, an instant later when an actual image or video frame is recorded, the two separate signals from each pixel are combined into one single one, for image capturing purposes. This greatly improves AF speed over the majority of the area on which you’re focusing. The result is phase-detection autofocus, which surveys the scene and recognizes not only whether a subject is in focus or not, but in which direction (near or far), and by how much.

If you want to learn more about Dual Pixel AF, head over to the Canon Digital Learning Center. Some educational videos about Dual Pixel AF can be found here.