More about the “modular” DSLR.

Canon Rumors, correcting the previous leak:

[…] don’t think we’re going to get a camera that is fully modular, such as swapping out image sensors and that sort of thing. I think we’re going to see a camera that can maybe swap between an optical and electronic viewfinder,  as well as ergonomic changes depending if you’re shooting stills or video.

So, no lego-style DSLR as in the first rumour days ago, just a camera that can “maybe swap” the optical viewfinder with an electronic one (for what reason do you want to do this on a DSLR?), and some “ergonomic changes” depending if you shot stills or video. If for one minute you forget that you can “maybe swap” the VF, what else is there you can say it’s modular?

Doesn’t sound very modular to me but still a bit like non-sense.

Crazy how fast rumours change or get corrected, and how fast they get published. Got a good example yesterday after posting a rumor I got over a week ago, and that caused a lot of emails that found their way into my and others inbox and to some sites on the web. Good to know that even the shallowest rumour eventually finds a site to call its home :-)

Your opinion welcome…

Update: Jep, here too we got an email stating that “Canon will continue to use Canon sensors”, very soon after this rumor was posted. Since no email came from a known source I would normally not post this update. But then, since this new rumor is floating around…here was the update :-)

Original post:

A very good source told me that the upcoming multi-layer, Foveon-like sensors that was mentioned in a rumor weeks ago will be made by Sony. I give the rumor of a Sony-made Foveon sensor a good possibility to be true. This sensor is said to be featured in two new pro-grade cameras that will be announced in Q1 2015.

Beside that this rumor comes from one of my best sources, I think it is plausible. It would not be the first time that Canon mounts a sensor made by Sony on their cameras. Even if there is no evidence, it is almost sure that the new Canon Powershot G7 X sports a Sony sensor.

On the other hand, it is a bit disappointing. Canon has research labs and production facilities, and I would prefer if they go on making sensors on their own instead of getting them from others. Especcially if Canon makes more excellent sensors like the one featured on the EOS 7D Mark II.

A note: during a recent interview with DPreview, when asked about the G7 X sensor, a Canon representative said:

Q: […] we’ve learned […] that the sensor in the G7X is not made by Canon. Does this represent a new philosophy at Canon?

A: We select the best sensor, whoever the manufacturer is. That’s our policy.

What do you think?

This one is real, the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS

Canon Rumors writes:

We’re told that demo versions of the upcoming replacement for the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS have hit select photographers hands for field use.

Gosh! This lens is spitted out from the rumor mills probably since 2004 (according to a reader) and for sure since 2008. Now again a suggestion of an imminent announcement surfaces. This time the murmurings say it will look similar to the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS, with a thin focus ring and a wider zoom ring close to the front element. And we should see it in November.

It’s the lens Canon will make out of sympathy, sooner or later ;-)