A new EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 STM coming (next APS-C kit lens)?

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EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6

Egami (translated) spotted a patent filed by Canon for an EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. This lens will replace the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (released 2009). We got some rumors saying that this lens will come with STM on board. Egami itself suggests it could be the next kit lens for Canon’s high-end APS-C bodies.

Machine translated patent description:

  • Patent Publication No. 2015-75570
    • Published 2015.4.20
    • Filing date 2013.10.8
  • Example
    embodiment
    Example Zoom ratio Focal length Fno. Half angle Image height Overall length BF
    One 4.61 18.00 27.48 83.00 4.00 4.58 5.80 37.1 26.3 9.3 13.6 133.1 140.0 160.0 37.1 41.6 50.3
    Two 4.88 17.00 26.34 83.00 3.99 4.49 5.80 38.66 27.31 9.31 13.6 127.12 133.64 154.74 35.00 39.12 48.89
    Three 5.28 15.50 22.82 81.84 3.60 4.10 5.85 41.39 30.91 9.48 13.66 128.40 134.55 169.41 35.48 43.51 66.65
    Four 5.26 15.60 22.19 82.00 3.50 3.97 5.84 41.21 31.62 9.46 13.66 128.18 134.63 171.19 36.37 43.38 67.86

    Image height Y = 21.63mm

  • Canon patents
    • Positive and negative grain positive and negative positive 5-group configuration (Examples 1 and 2)
    • 4-group configuration of positive and negative grain-positive-positive (Examples 3 and 4)
    • Inner focus (the second group)
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EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

 

 

[CW2] Canon Rebel SL2 coming Fall 2015 (24MP, smaller than SL1)?

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Some rumours about the Canon Rebel SL2 surfaced. Canon Rumors reports:

We’re told that an SL2 is definitely on the way and may be shrunk even further. While the thickness of the camera can’t change all that much because of the EF mount, the length, height and weight could be further reduced. One of the ways to reduce the size is implementing an EVF instead of an optical viewfinder. Sony has done this with the A77 DSLR, and Canon has said when the technology is good enough, they may also introduce it into the EOS lineup.

Except for the EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) I think these are plausible generic specs, though it is not clear if the EVF is part of the rumor or just a speculation by CR. I can’t see the point in featuring an EVF on a DSLR, I think it is better suited and makes more sense on a mirrorless camera. The Rebel SL1/100D is (or was) the world’s smallest DSLR and it is nothing but a logic evolution if Canon shrinks the SL2 even further.

It is safe to assume that the Rebel SL2 will have the same 24MP sensor featured on Canon’s recent Rebels, the EOS 760D/Rebel T6i and EOS 750D/Rebel T6s (read about the sensor issue).

What about the name? While it is pretty sure that the SL1 replacement will be named SL2 in the US, there are still no reliable rumours about the EU and Asia names. In EU it could be EOS 150D.

[via CR]

About our rumour rating:

  • CW1 – probably fake rumor, not reliable (less than 15% chance to be real)
  • CW2 – rumor from an unknown/new source, but otherwise at least a plausible rumor (15%-40% chance to be real)
  • CW3 – around 50% chance to be real, coming from a known source, or from new source with good insight in Canon’s business
  • CW4 – rumor from a known source that was right in the past, high probability to be true (60%-80% chance to be real)
  • CW5 – as good as certain to be true

(CW5) Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM image and specs leaked (announcement soon)

50

Digicame-info posted the first picture and specs of the upcoming Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. Announcement is expected very soon.

  • Lens arrangement 5-group, six (Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups)
  • Full-frame compatible)
  • Digital optimized coating (The lens coating is optimized for digital cameras)
  • Stepping motor (STM)
  • Full-time manual focus
  • Total length 39.3mm
  • Weight 160g

I guess this will be the new Nifty-Fifty, i.e. this lens will replace the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II (the Nifty-Fifty). And, as you can see, it seems there is no IS on board. B&H has refurbished EF 50mm f/1.8 II on sale for $79.99.

[via Digicame-info]

(CW2) More about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II (25MP sensor, no more fps)

16_EOS-1D X_ef5014u_slant_EUR-420-90

More bits about the EOS-1D X Mark II surface on the web. Canon Rumors writes:

We’re told that the sensor currently being tested in the EOS-1D X Mark II is 25mp.  The sensor will be manufactured by Canon, so any third party manufacturing rumors can be quashed before they start.

This source is also confirming the likelihood of a new pair of DIGIC processors to handle the added resolution and maintain the frame rate of the current EOS-1D X.

Not very much, and I would take it with a big grain of salt.

(CW2) A new 18-55mm lens for EOS M system coming?

EF-M 18-55mm IS STM

I have been told (thanks) that Canon is working on a replacement for the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens. The new 18-55mm should be smaller, at least when not used thanks to a retractive design (as the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM has). IS and STM obviously on board. No word about aperture but I guess it will hardly be different from f/3-5-5.6. The new EF-M 18-55mm should also be lighter than the current one. The source said the new 18-55mm IS STM will be announced in Fall 2015.

The EF-M 18-55mm lens was released with the first EOS M. It can’t be said this is an old lens. However, compared to what other manufacturers make, the 18-55mm may look somewhat outdated. A smaller and lighter lens with the same zoom range would for sure be appreciated by many EOS M system owners.

I rate the rumor CW2 since it comes from a new source, though I am almost tempted to give it a CW3. For the following reason: Canon is heavily pushing the EOS M3 bundled as a kit, in Europe you can get the M3 only as a kit with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens. Doesn’t that look like someone wants to empty stocks?

Btw, there are some pretty good EOS M deals on Amazon US, for instance the EOS M for only $299.89.

The EOS M3 is not on sale in the US, and is available in Europe only as kit with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens (Amazon Italy, Amazon Germany, Amazon UK). You can order the M3 also at DigitalRev (ships internationally). Detailed M3 specification can be read here.

About our rumour rating:

  • CW1 – probably fake rumor, not reliable (less than 15% chance to be real)
  • CW2 – rumor from an unknown/new source, but otherwise at least a plausible rumor (15%-40% chance to be real)
  • CW3 – around 50% chance to be real, coming from a known source, or from new source with good insight in Canon’s business
  • CW4 – rumor from a known source that was right in the past, high probability to be true (60%-80% chance to be real)
  • CW5 – as good as certain to be true

(CW3) More Canon EOS-1D X Mark II talk (DIGIC 7, massively improved dynamic range)

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The Canon EOS-1D X

 

Some new bits about the replacement for the EOS-1D X surfaced on the web.

Canon Rumors suggests the EOS-1D X Mark II may come with dynamic range figures never seen before on a DSLR:

Beyond the increased ISO capabilities of the EOS-1D X Mark II, we’re told that dynamic range is going to see a massive improvement, and possibly have the most stops of any DSLR currently on the market. It’s always possible that Sony will do something in the meantime with their new sensors to increase their lead in stops of DR.

The introduction of the DIGIC 7 processor is also suggested. Hopefully this is not just wishful thinking but Canon is really working on improving the dynamic range of their sensors.