Interview: EOS R3 Not Flagship, Sensor Developed By Canon (and made by Sony?)

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Some interesting bits about the Canon EOS R3 in an interview with a Canon Russia exec. Who makes the EOS R3 sensor?

We wonder who makes the Canon EOS R3 sensor, after a change in wording on Canon UK’s site: from “designed and manufactured by Canon“ to “developed by Canon”. Does it mean something?

Russian site PhotoWebExpo interviewed Mr. Andrey Tishchenko, Canon Russia’ Head of Product and Consumer Expertise. The question about who makes the EOS R3 sensor came up. The answer leaves us a bit puzzled. So, let’s start with the excerpts about the imaging sensor (emphasis mine, text is machine translated):

Q: Will the Canon EOS R3 get a new sensor? Or will it be similar to the one in the Canon EOS R5?

The sensor is new because we have already stated that this is the first backlit Stacked Sensor BSI we have developed ourselves. […]

Q: Is this Canon’s first stacked sensor? 

Full-frame format yes, but in fact, one of the most popular compact models in the PowerShot series, the Canon G7x Mark III has a 1-inch Stacked CMOS sensor. That is, such technologies have already been applied in our cameras, but it is the Canon EOS R3 that will receive the first full-frame sensor of this technology. 

Yes, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III has a stacked sensor, and it’s made by Sony! Does this fact suggest the EOS R3 sensor was developed by Canon and manufactured by Sony? Remember that Canon UK changed the text of the EOS R3 presentation in a significant way.

There is more in the interview. The interviewer also asks about the flagship in the EOS R lineup:

Q: Why R3 and not R1? And should we expect a mirrorless replacement for the 1D X mark III, which was recently introduced?

The Canon EOS R3 will be a brand new camera lineup that will sit below the 1D X Mark III and above the Canon EOS R5.

The Canon EOS R3 does not exactly replace the 1D X, nor is it a flagship. And I think the 1D-X Mark III will be the most popular camera at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, which I hope will take place. There you will see who is shooting what and the “one” will definitely become camera # 1.

Unfortunately, we cannot comment on the company’s plans for the release of new cameras.

When asked about the rumors claiming that Canon will retire the EOS M lineup:

I cannot talk about the prospects for the development of the Canon EOS M system. At the moment, the system is well equipped.

You can see the full interview at PhotoWebExpo.

[via Canon Rumors]

Canon Might Release a 60mm f/1.0 Lens For The RF Mount

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A rumor popped up in our inbox: Canon working on a RF 60mm f/1.0 lens. Plausible?

We did not get any specification for the allegedly upcoming RF 60mm f/1.0 lens. we are a bit out in the rain here. Also, we are a bit surprised by the focal length of 60mm instead of more common 50mm. Wouldn’t it make more sense to bring the legendary Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L to the EOS R system? But maybe the optical design possibilities offered by the RF mount suggest a 60mm is the better option. In any case, it wouldn’t be the first time Canon surprises us.

All in all we think an RF 60mm f/1.0 is definitely possible. Having already an optical masterpiece with the RF 50mm f/1.2 it would probably not make much sense release another optical masterpiece with the same focal length and the “only” benefit of having f/1.0 vs f/1.2. A new 60mm lens would be a different matter, I guess.

All ideas are welcome.

Did Canon Make The EOS R3 Sensor, Or Did They Not?

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Some questions arose after Canon UK made a small change to the wording for the EOS R3 sensor presentation on their homepage.

Spotted by DC Life, the small change seems to mean something. As you can see in the image on top, Canon UK stated that the EOS R3 sensor was “designed and manufactured by Canon“. Canon USA and Canon Japan just stated the sensor was “developed by Canon“. A small but indeed significant difference. The best part: Canon UK changed their wording shortly after the presentation, and now it’s on line with the other Canon sites. According to DC Life the change was made on April 24. See image below.

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Canon UK’s wording after the change

So, without starting wild conspiracies: what’s the reason for the change in wording? What immediately comes to mind is that it might be a sensor developed by Canon and manufactures by Sony, as for instance Nikon does. Or it means Canon makes just a part of the sensor which is then assembled with parts manufactured by others. Or it might just mean nothing, a glitch in the text that has been corrected to align it with other Canon sites.

I am pretty skeptical that Canon did not made the EOS R3 sensor in house, i.e. on their own. They have the skills and capabilities. As far as I know, only certain PowerShot cameras have imaging sensors not made by Canon.

What are your ideas on this? Just a glitch, or did Canon not make the EOS R3 sensor and doesn’t want to make too much noise around it? Let us know.

P.S.: you can get notified when the Canon EOS R3 will be available for preorder.

canon eos r3 specifications
The upcoming Canon EOS R3

Canon Patent: Full Frame Lenses With Front And Rear Apodised Optical Elements

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A new Canon patent application for lenses with apodised optical elements on the front and back of the lens barrel. While not 100% sure I guess these are also lenses for the RF mount.

Canon patent application 20210124182 (USA) discusses optical formulas for full frame lenses with apodised elements on the fron and back of the lens. The lenses found in the patent literature:

  • 135mm f/2
  • 130mm f/4
  • 70mm f/1.2
  • 24mm f/1.4

More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Canon EOS R5 Review For Bird Photography (with RF 100-500mm & EF 400mm/600mm lenses)

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Here is a fresh Canon EOS R5 review with focus on bird photography. A native RF lens and two big white EF telephoto lenses are used.

Jan Wegener reviews the Canon EOS R5 focusing on how well it suits for bird photography. He is tesing the R5 using the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS, and EF 400mm f/2.8L II and EF 600mm f/4L IS II lenses. In his words:

After all the gear reviews lately it was time to head out and do some shooting for myself with my favorite gear. With the Canon EOS R5, RF 100-500 & EF 4/600 L IS II, I headed on the road to find an elusive bird. Rumour has it that he can be found in a small fishing town! Will I find him and my other target species?

Enjoy.

More about bird photography is listed here. Canon itself published some tutorials about bird photography.

More Canon EOS R5 review stuff is listed here, for EOS R6 review stuff see here. The EOS R5 is highly regarded as a stills camera. In particular, the EOS R5 autofocus system seems to be huge leap forwards. User manual are available for download for the EOS R5 and the EOS R6.

Canon EOS R5: [shoplist 62744]

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Canon USA Does Culture, Sponsors The Virtual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards

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Not photography related, not imaging technology related. Nevertheless an interesting cultural initiative by Canon for American students.

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Sponsored and Participated In the Virtual 16th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Program

Organized by Japan Center at Stony Brook University, the Essay Competition Awarded Five Students Who Showcased Different Aspects of the Japanese Culture Connected to Their Personal Experiences

MELVILLE, NY, April 26, 2021– As part of its continued commitment to empowering young leaders and education, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, proudly sponsored and participated in the virtual 16th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Program on April 24, 2021. The goal of the competition is to provide young American students with the opportunity to think creatively and critically about their lives by relating to some aspect of Japan and Japanese culture in an effort to help broaden their horizons and encourage global citizenship. Embodying that goal, five students were recognized for their eloquent essays with prizes including Canon products.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the Japan Center at Stony Brook University have a longstanding collaboration that was launched in 2005 by the late Kinya Uchida, the Canon U.S.A. President and Chief Executive Officer at the time. The Essay Competition, now in its 16th year, is an example of this collaboration. Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., spoke at the virtual awards ceremony and congratulated the winners.

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