(CW3) Canon’s Next Large Sensor Powershot Set to be Announced Next Week

Large Sensor Powershot

As you probably know Canon is rumored to make a big announcement following Friday February 6. So, it comes to no wonder that we are getting a lot of rumors these days.

I have been told (thanks) that among the Powershot cameras Canon is supposed to announce before CP+ (i.e. next week), there is also the new large sensor Powershot camera that Canon themselves leaked in a few occasions.

The same source also said this camera will feature a Sony sensor, like the Powershot G7 X. No specs so far (anyone?). Since this Powershot is touted as having a big zoom range, I wonder what the figures are. All we know so far is what Canon Hong Kong wrote on their homepage some time ago:

New PowerShot Digital Compact Camera Under Development 
Featuring large image sensor, high zoom capability and compact body

Canon is developing a new premium digital compact camera that combines the merits of both large image sensor and high-magnification optical zoom lens in response to the demands from users looking for high quality high zoom performance. Offering both convenience from a compact body and excellent super telephoto performance, this camera is perfect for everyday or travel shooting in high quality.

Stay tuned…

If you want to share rumors or tips you are welcome to do it here in a totally anonymous way.

About our rumor rating:

  • CW1 – probably fake rumor, not reliable
  • CW2 – rumor from an unknown/new source, but otherwise at least a plausible rumor
  • CW3 – a 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
  • CW5 – as good as certain to be true

Canon Publishes Financial Results 2014

Canon published their financial results for 2014. These are the available documents (go for the presentation):

Some excerpts:

Looking back at the global economy in 2014, although the United States and other developed countries were initially expected to bring about a return to a path of full-fledged growth, such expectations came up short due to the ongoing occurrence of such unforeseen circumstances as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In the U.S., despite the negative impact of the major cold wave that struck at the beginning of the year, the economy showed steady signs of recovery, buoyed by the improvement in employment conditions and healthy growth in consumer spending. In Europe, the economy remained sluggish due to such factors as the negative impact of Russia’s deteriorating economy on neighboring euro area countries. The pace of economic expansion in China was modest while other emerging countries in Southeast Asia and South America faced slowdowns in market growth due to economic stagnation. As for Japan, with the economy yet to recover from the decline following the rush in demand leading up to the hike in the country’s consumption tax, growth fell short of the rate recorded in the previous year […]

Within the Imaging System Business Unit, although sales volume of interchangeable-lens digital cameras declined owing to the shrinking market—in Japan as a result of the reaction following the rush in demand prior to the consumption tax increase, and in Europe and other markets due to worsening economic conditions—the advanced-amateur-model EOS 7D Mark II achieved healthy growth, enabling Canon to maintain the market’s top share. As for digital compact cameras, despite a decline in total sales volume, sales of high-added-value models featuring high image quality and high-magnification zoom capabilities, such as the PowerShot G7 X and PowerShot SX60 HS/SX700 HS, recorded solid growth, contributing to an improvement in profitability.

[via Canon]

Canon Release New Firmware for EOS-1D X (ver. 2.0.7)

1dx

Canon released a new firmware for the EOS-1D X. You can download the firmware update here.

Firmware Version 2.0.7 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes:

  1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
  2. Fixes a phenomenon in which, when shooting long exposures (several minutes), vertical lines appear on the right edge of captured images (still photos).
  3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) may not perform as intended when in continuous shooting mode and where the shutter speed is longer than 1 second.
  4. Improves the reliability of the control mechanism for the Picture Style Auto setting.
  5. Fixes a phenomenon in which the electronic level indicator does not work correctly.
  6. Fixes a phenomenon in which, when using the “Save and read camera settings” function, the color space data that is selected in “Custom shooting mode (C1-C3)” is not saved.*1
  7. Corrects some incorrect indications on the “English” and “Russian” menu screens.

*1 As a result of this fix, cameras with Firmware Version 2.0.7 will not be able to read the “camera settings file” created with cameras running Firmware Version 2.0.3 (or earlier). If you require the “camera settings file”, please create it after updating to firmware version 2.0.7.

Firmware Version 2.0.7 is for cameras with Firmware Version 2.0.3 or earlier. If your camera’s firmware is already Version 2.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
The firmware update takes approximately seven minutes.

Notes:
Once the EOS-1D X camera is updated to Version 2.0.7, it cannot be restored to a previous firmware version (Versions 1.0.2 through 2.0.3).

Once the EOS-1D X camera is updated to firmware Version 2.0.7 from previous firmware version (Versions 1.0.2 through 1.2.4 and 2.0.3), it is recommended that the latest application software*1 be used. Certain previous versions of this application software do not support functions which are added by the new firmware.
You can download the latest application software from our Web site.
*1: EOS Utility version 2.14.10a or later (Supported OSes: Windows 8/ 7 / 7 SP1 / VistaSP2 / XP SP3, Mac OS X v10.9 / 10.8 / 10.7 / 10.6)
*1: Digital Photo Professional version 3.14.46 or later (Supported OSes: Windows 8 / 7 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3, Mac OS X v10.6 / 10.7/ 10.8/ 10.9)

The instruction manual has been revised to accommodate the improvements and fixes provided as of firmware Version 2.0.3 or later.

Support
Download Firmware Version 2.0.7 for the EOS-1D X.

Download the latest instruction manual from our Website.

Download the latest application software from our Website

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Canon Release New Firmware for EOS 5D Mark III (ver. 1.3.3)

Canon_5260B009_EOS_5D_Mark_III_847546

We knew it was coming. Canon released a new firmware for the EOS 5D Mark III. You can download the update here.

Details
Firmware Version 1.3.3 incorporates the following improvement and fix:

  1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
  2. Corrects some incorrect indications on the “English” and “Russian” menu screens.

Firmware Version 1.3.3 is for cameras with Firmware Version 1.2.3 or earlier. If your camera’s firmware is already Version 1.3.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

When updating the firmware of your camera, please first review the instructions thoroughly before downloading.

Note:
Once the EOS 5D Mark III camera is updated to Version 1.3.3, it cannot be restored to a previous firmware version (Versions 1.0.7 through 1.2.3).

Support
Download Firmware Version 1.3.3 for the EOS 5D Mark III Camera

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Today Only: Zoner Photo Studio 16 PRO for Free (compare to $89)

Zoner Photo Studio 16 PRO, an alternative to Adobe Lightroom, is free for today January 28. The software normally retails for $89. You can download free-for-limited time Zoner Photo Studio 16 PRO here. Please note: the link points to the daily giveaway, if Zoner Photo Studio is no longer the giveaway of the day you may be too late). Windows only.

Key features:

  • Importing: Right as you’re downloading your pictures to your PC, you can tag them, rotate them to match camera rotation (EXIF), back them up, and more.
  • Managing: Give photographs a rating from 1-5, colored labels, descriptions, and more. Drag-and-drop them onto an integrated Google Map to GPS-tag them, so you’ll know exactly where your photos were taken even years from now. Then find any photo you need in seconds, even among thousands of others.
  • Editing: Dozens of photo editing and retouching features – cropping, resizing, straightening, local edits, exposure and color fixes and more. A Quick Edits panel helps you fix a picture in moments using just a few sliders. The Editor also offers dozens of creative Quick Filters and other creative tools like HDR, Tone Mapping, 3D, panoramas, etc.

ZPS16-Box-Left-2000x3000

(CW2) Canon/Sony Patent Exchange to Produce Canon’s High Resolution Sensor?

Canon RumorCanon Rumor

I have been told (thanks) that Sony will indeed produce Canon’s upcoming high resolution sensor. The source presents this as a joint venture and patent exchange between Canon and Sony.

In other words, and according to the source, Canon and Sony will agree on a patent exchange to produce a 53MP sensor for Canon’s upcoming high resolution DSLRs. This sensor would keep the Exmor technology, and feature Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF. The best of both worlds someone may say. Sony would still sell sensors to Nikon, but without the Dual Pixel AF (it is for sure not a problem for Sony to mass-produce slightly different lines of sensors).

Interesting rumor. All in all such a scenario is possible, since it would be of advantage for both companies. Canon already used a Sony sensor on the Powershot G7 X. And there have been rumors that Canon may sport a Sony sensor in future high-end DSLRs. Finally, Canon themselves stated in an interview that they will “select the best sensor, whoever the manufacturer is” (see the interview here).

What do you think? Let me know in the comment section…

About our rumor rating:

  • CW1 – probably fake rumor, not reliable
  • CW2 – rumor from an unknown/new source, but otherwise at least a plausible rumor
  • CW3 – a 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
  • CW5 – as good as certain to be true