Canon filed a patent for an EF 16-40mm f/4 lens, which appears to point to a replacement for the venerable Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, one of the more affordable Canon “L” lenses. The EF 17-40mm f/4L was introduced in 2003, a replacement is likely given the new high resolution sensors Canon is starting to produce.
A Canon patent for an EF-M 55mm f/3.5 macro lens for the EOS M system.
Canon is working on the future of the EOS M system, and there is a lot to come in 2016. This patent is just a hint about Canon’s mirrorless plans. This is a patent for an APS-C sensor, so the rumored Canon full-frame mirrorless camera is not involved here. However, we spotted a Canon patent for a similar optical formula some time ago (50mm f/3.5 IS). According to my sources, Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera has been delayed because of mount-related issues. Another rumor we got, states that early prototypes of such a camera are already undergoing lab tests. Hard to say when we really can expect this camera, but I am sure it is coming.
Canon is now taking their EOS M system seriously. The EOS M3 was the right step in the right direction, and is a great camera. Some clickbait sites are saying that the EOS M3 is one of Canon’s worse releases of 2015. That’s utterly dumb and likely the oddest statement about Canon in 2015, and has the sole purpose to get traffic by smashing Canon. I have to say that I am surprised to see how many people feels the urge to smash the Canon EOS M3, as they did before with the EOS M. Guess this is just childish, and profitable. I own both cameras, along with APS-C and FF bodies. Well, I am now on travel for the next 2 months and guess what camera I have with me? Right, the EOS M3. A great mirrorless camera with an image quality that outperforms most of the competitors.
Canon patent for a superzoom lens for full-frame DSLRs, an EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
As always with patents, you can’t be sure if the described product will hit the market. However, the optical formula in the patent reminds the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens, and given how well the latest Sigma lenses perform (given the price), I wouldn’t be suprised if Canon decides to strike back. I think such a lens would be welcome by the community.
Patent Publication No. 2015-212724
Published 2015.11.26
Filing date 2014.5.1
Example 1
Zoom ratio 3.00
Focal length 200.00 340.00 600.00
F-number 4.60 4.60 5.20
Angle of view 6.18 3.64 2.07
Image height 21.65 21.65 21.65
Overall length of the lens 355.16 355.16 355.16
BF 65.16 65.16 65.16
200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 performance, left wide end, right telephoto end
[via Egami]
I got some hints that Canon may implement a new sensor technology in their future pro-level DSLRs. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was also mentioned to possibly get a new sensor tech.
Thanks to reader Richard, we know that there is a slew of patents referring to column parallel sensors, a technology Sony is using on their EXMOR sensors. Quoting one of Canon’s patent applications, a column-parallel A/D converter is…:
a method for improving precision in analog-digital conversion […] of pixel signals. The A/D converter includes a first A/D converter (first processing unit) and a second A/D converter (second processing unit), and the first processing unit performs A/D conversion to generate higher-order bits of digital signals and then the second processing unit performs A/D conversion to generate lower-order bits. The first processing unit performs the first A/D conversion by comparing an analog signal to be converted and a reference voltage. The second processing unit starts charging a capacitor by a constant current source according to the result of the comparison performed by the first processing unit, and ends the charging in response to an edge of a clock signal (a rising edge) supplied immediately thereafter. Then, the second processing unit maintains the voltage for the capacitor and performs the second A/D conversion.
According to information passed over to me, Canon filed not less than seven (7) patents referring to column parallel sensor technology. A bit too much to believe Canon does not have some (big?) plans with such a sensor technology. Therefore, suggestions stating the Canon EOS-1D X may feature a new technology sensor may point in the right direction.
One of the patents is US2015/0341577. It refers to a column parallel sensor, and it seems to describe a method to get more dynamic range from shadows.
I am currently studying the other patents and will disclose them soon. Stay tuned…
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