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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Canon Pulled Firmware Updates For EOS R6 and EOS-1D X Mark III

Canon Eos R6 Manual
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Canon pulled the recently released firmware updates for the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.

The reasons are not know. Canon states on the download pages:

Thank you for your continued patronage of Canon products.

Software downloads on this page are currently suspended.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

We keep you posted in case of news.

Canon Confirms They Are Working On The EOS R1 (albeit in a cryptic way)

Canon Eos R3 Review Canon Cameras Eos R1
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In an interview, Canon execs confirmed the company is working on the future flagship mirrorless camera, the EOS R1.

In an interview with French site Phototrend, taken at CP+, a bunch of Canon execs confirms the Canon EOS R1 is on the way. Asked about what is Canon’s current flagship camera, Mr. Go Tokura (General Manager of Imaging Division at Canon) said:

If you look at our portfolio, obviously our highest-end case is the EOS R3. I think we can say that it is our flagship product. But if you look at the EOS-1D, and compare it to the EOS R3, you know it’s worthy of the ‘flagship’ designation because it’s equivalent in terms of Canon’s advanced features.

So, of course, the EOS R3 could already claim the flagship title, but there’s a reason we named it ‘3’…

And you can expect there to be a ‘1’, which is currently being worked on and will be our most premium model. So that’s the kind of interpretation you can do (laughs). I had never mentioned it so clearly before, so that’s probably how you can interpret it!

There is a reason we named it ‘3’ and you can expect there to be a ‘1’ definitely suggest there will be a EOS R1. When, is another story. Rumored since the beginning with various “imminent release” rumors, it’s still not here and is now rumored for 2024 (by the same source previously saying the announcement is imminent).

There is much more in the interview posted at Phototrends. For instance about third parties using the RF mount (see here to learn more about the issue):

Question: Many photographers are eagerly awaiting the opening of the RF mount. At present, Canon is the only brand to maintain the exclusivity of its frame. Will we see RF optics from other manufacturers in the near future?

Tetsuji Kiyomi : It is true that we are approached by many third-party manufacturers. We hear their demands. However, we have no direction or policy as such on this subject.

Naturally, I cannot share more details with you, but what I can say is that if this aligns with our strategy, we will take the necessary action on a case-by-case basis. I can’t tell you more.

Go Tokura : An example of this is the launch of RF optics by Cosina [the Voigtlander 50mm f/1 is the first “third-party” lens to be able to communicate with the body via the RF mount]: we are in the process discussion with other lens manufacturers. This is the situation at present.

About the Canon EOS R50:

Question: The EOS R50 is one of your newer cameras. How was it inspired by the EOS M50? Does it sign the end of the EOS-M range?

Tetsuji Kiyomi : The particularity of the R50 was that we wanted to release a compact and light product. For its part, the EOS M range, thanks to the reduced diameter of the EF-M mount, could be even smaller and lighter.

Thus, compactness and lightness are therefore two common points between the APS-C models of the EOS R range and those of the EOS M series.

However, the size of the M-series enclosures is even smaller, and there is still a strong demand for this from our customers. This means that we will continue to offer the EOS M series as we need to meet this high demand.

Stay tuned.

New Canon Firmware For EOS R6, EOS R7, EOS R10 And EOS-1D X III

Canon Eos R7 Review Canon Firmware
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New Canon firmware for four cameras has been released. I found it on Canon Japan’s site and hence I am linking it because it’s not available yet on the Canon USA or EU sites (will be later on).

Download EOS-1D X Mark III Firmware Version 1.7.0 from Canon Japan:

  • [Save/load communication settings to card] has been added to the menu. Network settings can now be inherited between cameras of the same model.
  • You can now trim and resize images while transferring them to the FTP server.
  • Fixed minor bugs.

Download EOS R6 Firmware Version 1.8.0 from Canon Japan:

  • You can now trim and resize images while transferring them to the FTP server.
  • Fixed minor bugs.

Download EOS R7 Firmware Version 1.3.0 from Canon Japan:

  • Compatible with Speedlite EL-5. *Not compatible with the auto-dimming function of the AF auxiliary light.
  • Supports RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM.
  • Fixed minor bugs.

Download EOS R10 Firmware Version 1.3.0 form Canon Japan:

  • Compatible with Speedlite EL-5. *Not compatible with the auto-dimming function of the AF auxiliary light.
  • Supports RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM.
  • Fixed minor bugs.