Yet another pro-level EOS M rumor (new APS-C sensor, and anything else you may wish) [CW3]

eos m3
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We had many rumors about a pro-level EOS M camera. Here is another one, surfacing at the right time.

I’ve had a hard time to assign a credibility rating to this rumor. In some ways it looks too good to be true, and it could also be seen as a sum-up of all the earlier pro-level EOS M rumors. On the other hand, it could also be real. I decided for a CW3, since anything stated in the rumor has a fair chance to be true. Given the many fake rumors that are sent around to a lot of people, I strongly recommend you take it with a big grain of salt. Let’s see what the key features of the rumored pro-level EOS M camera are:

  1. Expanding the EF-M system
  2. First ConnectedCamera device
  3. New technology sensor (APS-C)
  4. Built in EEVF viewfinder
  5. Pro level AF performance
  6. Best in class video capability
  7. Pro build quality with enhanced ergonomics
  8. Wider support for the EF lens family

As for 1), we already know that Canon will announce new EF-M lenses. Masaya Maeda himself stated it. The most liley candidate is a 35mm f/1.8 STM lens. I have no idea what 2) means. The [shoplink 29518]EOS M3[/shoplink] has WiFi and NFC on board. No idea what a “ConnectedCamera device” means, if not WiFi and NFC. Point 3) suggests Canon may introduce a new APS-C sensor. This is not only plausible, but entirely likely. It has to be seen what we can expect by the suggested “new technology”. A higher resolution sensor with Dual Pixel AF would fit into “new technology”, so do not expect miracles on the sensor front. 4) is rumored since Canon released their first mirrorless camera. Generally speaking, points 4) to 7) seem to be informed wishful thinking. It’s what we all hope Canon will deliver with their pro-level MILC. Point 8) is interesting, since it could point to a new EF/EF-S to EF-M adapter. We spotted a pertinent patent for such an adapter, with improved AF speed.

It’s claimed the above bits come from an internal presentation. I can’t help but to me this sounds pretty much like wishful thinking. Don’t get me wrong, anything listed above may find its way into a professional Canon mirrorless camera. It’s just that it is exactly what we all were asking for, and what we are reading on the web since years, rumor after rumor. Let’s just hope it’s true and Canon will soon back it up. Another interesting point: the rumor says the alleged pro-level [shoplink 6091]EOS M[/shoplink] will be seen after the EOS M3 got an update. If I got it right, it means we will see this pro-level EOS M after Canon released the successor of the EOS M3. So, we may see two new APS-C EOS M models next year (both above the [shoplink 35612]EOS M10[/shoplink]), and one full-frame model too. It’s getting crowded.

Along with the same rumor came also a mention that the Canon EOS 6D Mark II may be announced at Photokina 2016 (in September, the 6D2 has always been rumored to be announced Q1-Q2 2016), and that Canon will extend 4K video to more devices (EOS 5D Mark IV?).

Our latest rumor concerning the EOS M system suggests Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera is delayed because of mount-related issues.

Do you think this is a reliable rumor? Your thoughts are welcome…

Canon FF mirrorless camera mock-up by David Riesenberg
Canon mirrorless camera concept by David Riesenberg
[via NI]

Canon EF-M 15mm f/2 STM lens for EOS M coming in 2016? [CW1]

EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
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I have been told (thanks) that Canon may announce an EF-M 15mm f/2 STM lens for the EOS M system, somewhen in Q1-Q2 2016.

While 15mm on an APS-C sensor are equivalent to 24mm on full-frame sensor, and hence resolve to a “classic” focal lenght, I do not think this rumor is reliable. However, I am pretty sure Canon will announce an EF-M 35mm f/1.8 STM lens in 2016. We were first to report this rumor, and it appears there is a lot of people who likes it, at least according to the many sites that picked up the rumor after it was posted on CW.

Enjoy live!

Steve

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will not be announced in 2015, has dual DIGIC7 and dual cFast [CW2]

EOS-1D X
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After a long row of rumors suggesting the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will be announced in Q4 2015, the rumors mill is now stating the EOS-1D X Mark II will come in 2016, before NAB (which happens in April 2016).

The announcement date is one thing, the specs another. There are still very few specs that leaked, and even less of these are reliable. However, the latest has it as follows. The EOS-1D X Mark II is said to feature dual DIGIC7 processors and dual cFast memory slots. That’s all.

Take it with a grain of salt. An EOS-1D X Mark II announcement in 2016 is an almost safe bet (CW4), the specs are plausible speculations (CW2). But after all those rumors suggesting an imminent announcement of the EOS-1D X Mark II, I would add some extra amount of salt to the usual doses.

For the time being the EOS-1D X Mark II is rumored to have the following specs:

  • 24MP
  • 14 fps in RAW mode
  • 4K video
  • Dual DIGIC7
  • Dual cFast memory slots

Keep in mind that the EOS-1D X Mark II is Canon’s full-frame flagship, the top of the line. Whatever specs it will have, it will be another killer DSLR made for the most demanding pros. Given how secretive Canon has become, do not expect to see some reliable specs until the last weeks before the announcement.

Enjoy life!

[via CR]

 

Canon full-frame mirrorless camera delayed because of mount-related issues? [CW3]

Canon FF mirrorless camera mock-up by David Riesenberg
Canon FF mirrorless camera mock-up by David Riesenberg

I have been told by a known source (thanks) that Canon is delaying their full-frame mirrorless camera because of issues with the mount type.

The full-frame mirrorless camera Canon is working on, should have an adapted version of the EF-M mount (in use on Canon’s APS-C mirrorless cameras). While I am not an expert in such things, I wonder how the mount type can be similar, or an “adapted version”. Guess the source meant something like EF vs EF-S lenses.

I wasn’t told what the issues with the mount type are, or how serious they are. Knowing Canon as a company that triple-checks everything for the highest possible quality, it could also be a minor issue. There have also been reports (by another, unknown source) that Canon is trying to figure out if and how they can fit EF lenses on a full-frame mirrorless body. A full-frame mirrorless camera with an EF mount would be fantastic!

We were first to report that Canon is working on a full-frame mirrorless camera, and that prototypes exist and are going through testing in Canon’s laboratories (not in the field, just in the labs). The source suggested that Canon may announce the full-frame mirrorless camera during 2016, likely towards the end of the year. So, no FF MILC coming from Canon in the near future.

I also wonder if we will see a new EOS M soon. I guess the [shoplink 29518]EOS M3[/shoplink] is what Canon intends for “enthusiast-oriented”. While the EOS M3 is an excellent camera, I am missing some features to call it enthusiast-oriented.

Your thoughts are welcome…

Canon EF-M 35mm f/1.8 STM for EOS M coming in 2016? [CW3]

Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM EF-M 22mm canon lenses
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I have been told (thanks) that Canon may announce a prime lens for the EOS M system somewhen in the first half of 2016, maybe in Q1. The suggested lens is an EF-M 35mm f/1.8 STM.

Though this rumor comes from a new source, I rate it CW3 for the following reasons. 1) I am convinced that Canon is now taking their EOS M systen seriously. The lack of native lenses has always been a shortcoming of the system. 2) There have been rumors in the past suggesting EF-M prime lenses may be announced by Canon. 3) Finally, Canon’s Masaya Maeda said there will be more EF-M lenses soon.

A 35mm lens for the EOS M system would make a lot of sense. On an APS-C sensor a 35mm lens is equivalent to a 56mm lens on full-frame (Canon’s APS-C sensors have a crop factor of 1.6). 50-55mm is a very classic focal lenght that should be available in every camera system. Actually there is only one prime lens for the EOS M system, the [shoplink 6093]EF-M 22mm f/2 STM[/shoplink] (equiv. 35mm), and a 35mm lens would be a very welcome addition. 35mm appears to be the focal length of choice in this case. If Canon has to make one and only one additional prime lens for the [shoplink 29518]EOS M system[/shoplink], then it will be a 35mm lens.

So, beside the rumor coming from a new source and the fact that you should always take rumors with a grain of salt, I think this rumor is pretty solid and quite plausible. Just one thing: no image-stabilisation? Well, I guess on a 35mm f/1.8 lens IS might be an option, not a necessity. What do you think?

Canon’s 120MP full-frame sensor is not a Bayer sensor, it’s based on new technology [CW4]

350px-Bayer_pattern_on_sensor.svg
Bayer sensor (image: Wikipedia)

I have been told by a reputable source (was right in the past) that Canon’s 120MP full-frame sensor is not based on Bayer technology. That means: not an RGB sensor.

According to Canon (as told by the source), an RGB sensor doesn’t work for such a high resolution, i.e. for resolutions above 100MP. The source stated it is a totally new technology that Canon is employing on their upcoming 120MP sensor. We are not talking Foveon or other stuff here. To be more clear: according to the source, with this sensor Canon will introduce a new sensor technology to the world.

Update: after the post has been published, the source contacted me saying it may be “a technology similar to Foveon”. We have a long row of Canon patents pointing to Foveon/Multi-Layer sensors.

The 120MP sensor was announced as a development project back in September 2015. Since then, we didn’t hear much about the sensor, except that it could go to market in 2018.

So, now the big question is: what sensor technology does Canon employ on their full-frame 120MP sensor?