Only Canon (and Nikon and Sony) Will Survive the Smartphone Revolution (according to Credit Suisse)

The Canon EOS M2

Reuters reports an analysis by Credit Suisse imaging analyst Yu Yoshida saying that only Canon, Nikon and Sony will survive the smartphone revolution. The brands that build heavily on mirrorless cameras (Olympus, Fujifilm, Panasonic), on the other hand, will face hard times since smartphones, i.e. devices able to shot high quality photos, are eating into their market. In other words: customers prefer the latest generation of high-end smartphones over mirrorless cameras, and connectivity appears to play a big role. Says Yu Yoshida: “Only those who have a strong brand and are competitive on price will last – and only Canon, Nikon and Sony fulfil that criteria“.

The analysis states that “Canon and Nikon dominate the SLR camera market, while Sony could survive any shakeout thanks to its strength in making sensors for a number of camera manufacturers as well as collaboration with its smartphone division“. Yu Yoshida: “If you look mid-to-long term, digital camera makers are slipping and the market is becoming an oligopoly“.

Some statistics:

  • World-wide sales of compact cameras will fall for 40 percent this year (down to 59 million units)
  • Panasonic camera sales dropped 40 percent from April to September 2013
  • Mirrorless cameras have had a real break-through only in Japan, where they make up 36% of sales. On the other hand, MILC market share are 10.5% and 11.2% in the USA and Europe
  • Mirrorless camera sales in the USA dropped 20% during the holiday shopping season

It’s known that mirrorless sales are good in Asia, not so exciting in Europe, and even less in the USA, where professional looking DSLRs are still king. I think it’s a pity that many people does not realize how amazing mirrorless cameras are.

[Chicago Tribune/Reuters via PetaPixel]

 

Sensor Performance Comparison of 22 Canon DSLRs (updated)

Crop taken from ISO 1600 comparison – Image credit: Zol.com.cn

Update: as reader Eyal (thanks) correctly pointed out in the comment section, the credit for the images used in the comparison goes to imaging-resource.com. Apologies for not having seen it.

Chinese site ZOL (translated) compared the sensor performance of 22 different Canon DSLRs, APS-C and full-frame, to see how much sensor performance improved over the years.

It is interesting to see how much sensor performance went to the better for APS-C sensors, especially for higher ISO settings. If you compare the crops shot at ISO 6400 you can clearly see how much better the EOS 70D performs if compared to older models, the 70D outperforms even the 7D. Differences appear to be less obvious for the full-frame DSLRs, though the improvement is visible.

Although you have to deal with automatic translation the post is definitely worth to have a look.

Comparative Sample 1
Comparative Sample 2
Comparative Sample 3

[via dslcamera]

 

Canon Deals: Get The Year Ends Rebates (6D, T5i, T3i, SL1, 70-200, 24-70 f/2.8, 60D, and more)

 canon deals

Both Adorama (click here) and B&H Photo (click here) have Year End rebates going on. Please note: be always sure to check the price at checkout since the final price of many items can only be seen there. The mail-in rebates apply to this price. Most of the items are eligible for rewards, and for next day free delivery (if you put your order in time (Monday, 12/30 4pm EST for B&H).

There are some excellent deals among others:

  • eBay seller bestopsteals (98.3% positive ratings) has the EOS 6D with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens for ridiculous [shoplink 17840 ebay]$1849.99 (click here)[/shoplink]. The seller does not have a stellar rating but the price is a steal!
  • Amazon has the Canon EOS 6D with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens discounted to $2048. Pretty good price for this kit. The EOS 6D body only goes for $1499. Still a good price, but the kit is the better bargain.
  • Sigma lenses are discounted up to $200 at B&H Photo. Expires 12/31.
  • Tamron lenses are discounted up to $100 at B&H. Expires 12/31.
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is still on sale for $1799 at Adorama (click here) and B&H (click here) after $300 mail-in rebate. The price goes down to $2099 during the checkout process.
  • Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II on sale for $1699 at B&H Photo and Adorama (click here).
  • Canon EOS 60D with 18-135mm IS – $899 (click here) at B&H + $49.90 of included accessories.
  • Canon Rebel T3 with 18-55mm and 75-300mm Lens Kit on sale for $399 at B&H + %64.95 of included accessories. Compare to $649.

  • Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera body only on sale for $599 at B&H + 62.40 of included accessories. Compare to $699
  • Canon Rebel T3i with 18-55mm IS STM and 75-300mm on sale for $499 at B&H+ $49.95 of included accessories. Compare to $799.
  • Canon Rebel SL1 with 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses on sale for $578 at B&H+ $42.45 of included accessories. Compare to $949
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens on sale for $999 at B&H after $200 mail-in rebate. Compare to $1349.
  • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens on sale for $739 at B&H after $150 mail-in rebate. Compare to $1049.
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens on sale for $299 at B&H. Compare to $399.
  • Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT on sale for $449. Compare to $549

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD First Impression

Tamron SP 150-600mm
Image credit: Sun Photo

Source: DicaHub

Sun Photo published a sort of first impression (translated) of the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, Tamron’s recently announced super zoom (see all Tamron 150-600 posts here).

According to Sun Photo they reviewed a pre-production model but I think it shouldn’t be to much different from the final model. A bayonet mount was used for tripod. You have to deal with automatic translation so use all your interpretation skills. :-)

Previously Sun Photo published sample pics shot with the Tamron SP 150-600mm.

B&H has the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD available for pre-order for $1069. The lens is set to ship January 17, 2014.

  • Canon EF Lens Mount
  • Aperture Range: f/5 to f/40
  • Three Low Dispersion Glass Elements
  • eBAND and BBAR Coatings
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
  • Full-Time Manual Focus Mechanism
  • Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm
  • Removable Tripod Mount
  • Includes SILKYPIX Developer Studio

Tamron SP 150-600mm

Canon Patents for New EF-M Lenses (16-120, 18-55, 18-200)

Egami (translated) spotted a patent filed by Canon that appears to refer to new lenses for the EOS M system: 16-120mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. All lenses are image stabilised and have stepping motors.

  • Patent Publication No. 2013-257507
    • Publication date 2013.12.26
    • Filing date 2012.6.14
  • Example 1
    • Zoom ratio 2.87
    • Focal length f = 18.58 – 27.82 – 53.36mm
    • Fno 3.60 -. 4.27 – 5.69
    • Half angle ω = 36.33 – 26.15 – 14.36 °
    • Image height Y = 13.66mm
    • 86.23 – – 104.79mm 78.22 overall length of the lens
    • BF 0.50mm
    • 13 pieces of 11-group lens configuration
    • Three four-sided aspherical
  • Example 3
    • Zoom ratio 10.39
    • Focal length f = 18.60 – 60.12 – 193.23mm
    • Fno 3.55 -. 5.59 – 6.60
    • Half angle ω = 36.29 – 12.80 – 4.04 °
    • Image height Y = 13.66mm
    • 151.48 – – 184.39mm 118.58 overall length of the lens
    • BF 0.50mm
    • 18 pieces of 14-group lens configuration
    • Three three-sided aspherical
    • One UD glass
  • Example 4
    • Zoom ratio 7.14
    • 51.87 – – 117.70mm 16.48 focal length
    • Fno 3.60 -. 5.30 – 5.88
    • Half angle ω = 39.65 – 14.75 – 6.62 °
    • Image height Y = 13.66mm
    • 138.55 – – 162.35mm 114.75 overall length of the lens
    • BF 0.50mm
    • 17 pieces of 13-group lens configuration
    • Two two-sided aspherical
    • One UD glass
  • Canon patents
    • Vibration control
    • Inner focus