(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 However, compared to what other manufacturers make, the 18-55mm may look somewhat outdated.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.

(CW2) Canon EOS 6D Mark II coming with tiltable display?

Canon RumorCanon Rumor

I got a small new EOS 6D Mark II rumor (thanks). 

I have been told that Canon may well feature a tiltable display on the upcoming Canon EOS 6D Mark II (see yesterday’s rumor). I rate this rumor only CW2, for the following reason. The EOS 6D Mark II will be as much oriented to the video folks as its predecessor is. That is: very little. The EOS 6D is mainly a still camera (albeit having video features) and so will be the EOS 6D Mark II.

A tiltable display doesn’t make that much sense on a DSLR which is thought for still photography rather than for serious video work. However, in the past there was a rumor suggesting the EOS 6D Mark II may feature a tiltable display. The same rumor was also suggesting that the EOS 6D Mark II (and EOS 5D Mark IV) will sport Dual Pixel AF. So far no rumors have suggested this possibility. It’s a question I am particularly curious about: will Canon feature Dual Pixel AF on the 6D Mark II?

The Dual Pixel AF question is less obvious than you may think. For the time being, and excluding Canon’s Cinema cameras, only two Canon DSLR have Dual Pixel AF on board, the Canon EOS 70D and the EOS 7D Mark II. Canon isn’t putting DPAF in every new DSLR, as many of us thought they would. It seems that DPAF is not a technology Canon considers the to be the right one for any camera. The EOS M3 didn’t get it, to our all surprise.

What do you think?

About our rumor 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 (20%-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) Canon EOS-1D X Mark II talk (prototypes out in the wild?)

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The Canon EOS-1D X

 

Canon Rumors got some tidbits about the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Sum up of the rumor:

  • A “handful of Canon EOS-1D X Mark II bodies currently being tested in the field“
  • Announcement expected “some time in 2015“
  • Sensor will have more than 18MP (that’s the resolution of the EOS-1D X)
  • New AF system with more AF points and a “new technology” in the viewfinder display
  • New battery to lower the weight of the camera
  • Larger LCD than EOS-1D X
  • Some ergonomic changes

If the announcement really occurs in 2015 we should soon start to get more rumors Stay tuned…

About our rumor 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 (20%-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) Canon EOS 6D Mark II talk (28MP, announcement Q1 2016)

Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 6D

New bits about the Canon EOS 6D Mark II were sent in (thanks).

I have been told that Canon’s replacement for the highly popular EOS 6D will be announced not earlier than Q1 2016. In other words, the EOS 6D Mark II will be announced after the EOS 5D Mark IV started shipping (this is not entirely new since it was already murmured on the web). I also got some specs:

  • 28MP
  • 6 fps
  • ISO 100 – 102400 (expandable to 204800)
  • new AF system (but not the same as on 5DS)
  • 98% viewfinder coverage
  • Single SD card slot
  • WiFi, NFC, and GPS
  • small improvements for video features

Contrary to a previous rumor that was floating around some weeks ago, suggesting the EOS 6D2 will have a 24MP sensor, our source stated that it will be a 28MP sensor. The source said that Canon will not sell a full-frame DSLR with the same pixel count as Canon’s latest Rebels. The source was a bit confusing about the auto-focus system, saying that it will not be on the same level as the AF system featured on the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R. Still, it is not clear to me what kind of AF is coming. For sure there will be a step forward compared to the 6D, but given the fact the EOS 6D Mark II will be an entry-level DSLR, it won’t probably be a the most advanced AF system. I guess Canon will recycle one of the AF system they already feature on some of their DSLRs.

I rate this rumor CW3. It’s still early for reliable EOS 6D Mark II rumors. However, this is one of the not so weird 6d2 rumors we had so far. We heard pretty amusing things, like that Canon isn’t satisfied with the EOS 6D sales figures, and will hence move the 6D2 upmarket (which is absurd, the 6D was and is a best seller). The source stated clearly that the EOS 6D Mark II will be an entry-level FF DSLR, exactly like its predecessor. The pricing should be around $2,100, same as the 6D when it was introduced.

The EOS 6D was released in November 2012. Stay tuned….

About our rumor 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 (20%-49% 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

(CW4) Adobe Lightroom 6 coming tomorrow, April 21st?

lr6

Looks like the announcement of Adobe Lightroom 6 is imminent. Fuji Rumors spotted a teaser for “something really BIG” at lightroomkillertips. Scott Kelby isn’t explicitly mentioning LR6, but we think it is very likely that Lightroom 6 will be announced tomorrow. Writes Scott Kelby:

OK, for us, things don’t get much bigger than this — now, unfortunately I can’t tell you actually what it is that’s coming Tuesday, but it’s SO BIG that we’re doing FOUR free live Webcasts on Tuesday and you’re invited (if you’re a photographer, you’re going to want to be there to see and talk about this big secret thingy).

Stay tuned…