Weak Yen Brings Canon Production Back to Japan (Reuters)

Canon Rumor

Thanks Martina

Reuters reports:

Jan 9 (Reuters) – Canon Inc and other Japanese electronics companies want to bring production of some goods back home, reversing a years-old trend of overseas manufacturing as a rapid decline in the value of the yen makes local goods more competitive.

The yen has tumbled some 8 percent since the Bank of Japan last eased monetary policy in October and is now trading near seven-year lows. Since late 2012, it has lost a third of its value due to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reflationary economic policies.

The steep slide has raised costs for firms highly dependent on raw material imports as well as those that manufacture abroad.

Now, Canon says it wants domestic production to return to 60 percent of overall output in three years, up from around 40 percent. “From now on, new copier, camera and printer products will be built at domestic factories and as they replace older products, the volume of goods made overseas will fall,” said company spokesman Hirotomo Fujimori.

[…]

No companies, however, have yet to go so far as saying that yen weakness is a big enough factor to justify the large investment needed for new domestic plants or assembly lines.

All the Canon gear I have is “made in Japan”, so I guess this refers to entry level gear or other stuff. It has also to be said that Canon usually produces the first batch of a new product in Japan, and moves production afterwards to other locations (Thailand, etc). I have always been an early adopter, trying to get the first batches of Canon gear exactly for this reason: they are made in Japan.

[via Reuters]

 

Canon Inadvertently Leaked Image of Unseen DSLR (750D?) – UPDATE: another image!


Update #2: some readers wrote me stating that the mysterious camera we are talking about can also be seen in the CS100 presentation video (above). Snapshot below. If you watch the video you’ll see how the camera is always well hidden.

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Update #1: Canon France on Facebook also posted the same set of pictures about the CS100, and they have a picture where you can see the mysterious DSLR

what
What the hence is this??
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Original post:

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As all other Canon subsidiaries, also Canon Austria is actively promoting the new Connect Station CS100. However, on their Facebook page there is an interesting little detail they may not have wanted to include in the picture. It was spotted by Florian Feuchtner and first reported at PetaPixel.

You see the camera on the left side of the picture? See the picture below.

750D

Noticing anything strange? First of all it has a sliding lock switch. It has a click wheel and buttons shaped as on the [shoplink 14246]Canon EOS 70D[/shoplink], but it is not the 70D. And it has an articulating screen, what is not featured on many Canon DSLRs.

Other aspects look like the [shoplink 11242]EOS 700D[/shoplink], but it is not the 700D. The mysterious DSLR has a top display, so it may be a DSLR in the pro or semi-pro league. On the other hand, there is no back button for auto-focus, which is unusual for Canon’s pro or semi-pro DSLRs. In general the back of this DSLR is nothing we have seen before. If you want to see all the backsides of Canon DSLRs for yourself have a look here.

What do we know so far? As good as nothing. We can speculate. I am pretty sure this camera will be announced next month at CP+. But what model will it be? It’s too early for an EOS 80D, and I don’t think (though it is possible) Canon will feature a top display on the Rebel (aka xxxD) series. The replacement for the EOS 700D/Rebel T5i is expected to come soon. It may also be a new camera. Finally, there is a remote possibility this is the EOS 6D Mark II, rumored to have an articulated screen.

What do you think? Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Below you see the backside of the EOS 70D and EOS 700D.

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EOS 700D

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EOS 70D

[via PetaPixel]

Canon Set To Release New Firmware for EOS-1D X?

EOS-1D X

A few days ago we reported that a new EOS 5D Mark III user got his camera with a not yet released firmware version, one that apparently blocks the installation of Magic Lantern.

It seems Canon is also going to release a new firmware for the venerable [shoplink 4119]EOS-1D X[/shoplink]. Actually version 2.0.3 is available for download, but a user of the Digital Photography Review forum wrote he got his new 1DX with firmware 2.0.7:

I just got my new 1DX in the mail, and I must say this camera is the real deal.  I checked Canon’s website for firmware updates, and it said version 2.0.3 is available.  When I powered up my camera, the version that is currently loaded is 2.07.  So is the version on my camera a newer version than the 2.0.3?  Seems confusing to me?

These new firmware release may be an attempt by Canon to block the use third party batteries.

I’ll keep you posted.

Canon Aids Flooding Relief Activities in Malaysia

Canon Rumor

Canon press release:

Since December 2014, heavy rainfall has caused massive flooding in Malaysia, resulting in extensive damage across the region.

We at Canon extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this disaster and our thoughts go out to the victims and their families. Although the road to recovery will be challenging and take time, we hope that the region will soon be able to begin the rebuilding and healing process.

The Canon Group is aiding the relief efforts for victims of the floods with a donation of 135,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately US$38,140) to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

Note: Currency translations based on an exchange rate of US$1=3.54 Malaysian ringgit.