Canon’s Medical Division Develops Rapid Genetic Testing System For Coronavirus

Coronavirus Covid19
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Not photography related but for sure worth to be featured. Canon to develop a rapid testing kit for Coronavirus.

Canon press release:

Canon Medical to Commence Development of a Rapid Genetic Testing System for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

MELVILLE, NY, March 19, 2020 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Medical) announced the start of development of a rapid genetic testing system for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reaffirming Canon Medical’s commitment to the basic research and development of rapid diagnostic test kits. This project is part of a research program focusing on the development of diagnostic methods for COVID-19 led by the Japan Agency for Medical Research1.

Canon Medical was selected to participate in this research program in cooperation with Nagasaki University. This was in recognition of Canon Medical’s strength in leveraging its technologies in delivering practical solutions to support medical emergencies, notably by supplying Ebola rapid test kits to the Republic of Guinea in 20152, donating Ebola rapid test kits to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019, and through the manufacturing approval and sale of the Genelyzer KIT (a reagent kit for Zika virus RNA testing) in 20183.

The test and the reagents being developed for COVID-19 RNA testing is based on the LAMP method4 developed by Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd., and are to be used with a compact isothermal amplified gene fluorescent detector manufactured by Canon Medical to detect the presence of virus. Compared to the conventional test method of real-time PCR, the LAMP method allows for detection of the virus to be performed more easily and quickly, which makes it suitable for testing in local areas where infection is prevalent.

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The Canon EOS R System Might Be Used To Produce VR Footage, Patent Suggests

Canon Eos R
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Is Canon planning some VR (Virtual Reality) production system based on the Canon EOS R camera system? A patent application appears to suggest exactly this.

Canon patent application 2020-42197A (Japan) discusses optical formulas for a dual view anamorphic optic for 35mm full-frame mirrorless cameras (i.e. the Canon EOS R system).

  • Focal length: vertical 7.44 mm, horizontal 5,57 mm
  • F number: 4.00, 2.81
  • Half angle of view: 90, 90
  • Image height: 11,75 mm, 8.75 mm
  • Lens length: 100.00 mm
  • Back focus: 15.92 mm

Intriguing, isn’t it? What plans does Canon have with the EOS R system and the RF mount? At least it has become very clear that Canon is very committed to their new full frame mirrorless system.

canon eos r
Image from the patent literature

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

[via Hi Lows Note]

Photokina 2020 Has Been Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Photokina 2020 Coronavirus
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It was to expect and it happened. Photokina 2020 has been cancelled because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Press release:

photokina 2020 is cancelled

After intensive consultation, Koelnmesse GmbH has decided to cancel photokina 2020, originally planned to be held 27 to 30 May 2020. The next instalment of the leading international trade fair for photography, video and imaging will be presented from 18 to 21 May 2022. The Imaging Innovation Conference will not be celebrating its première in 2020 as originally planned; a new date will be coordinated.

In general the management team of Koelnmesse has decided not to organise any own events on the part of Koelnmesse until the end of June 2020. This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on 18.03.2020 to cancel the trade fairs during this period.

This also happens against the background of the agreement reached on 16.03.2020 between the German federal government and the governments of the German states – laying down common guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus epidemic and explicitly including the general closure of trade fairs and exhibitions. This impairs the planning security for Koelnmesse and the participants of the trade fairs in Cologne far beyond the scope of the current scenarios. With this early announcement, Koelnmesse wants to give its exhibitors and visitors planning security.

The decision not to host the next edition of photokina until May 2022 was made with in view of several factors: Even before the appearance of the coronavirus, the imaging market was already subject to strongly dynamic movements. This trend will now gain momentum and must be factored into plans for the upcoming photokina. Added to this is the fact that our customers’ resources are already under heavy strain in 2021 – as a result of general economic trends as well as rescheduled events on the global trade fair calendar. The orientation towards 2022 gives everyone involved time enough to design the next photokina with an eye to the needs of the market, and of our exhibitors and visitors.

Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman of the Photo Industry Association [Photoindustrie-Verband e.V. (PIV)]: “It goes without saying that PIV completely stands behind the decision taken by Koelnmesse to cancel photokina 2020. The health of exhibitors and visitors is top priority at the moment. As the conceptual sponsor of photokina, we will do our utmost to assist the Koelnmesse with the planning of the next edition of photokina.”

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Save On Refurbished Cameras and Lenses at Canon Store

Canon Eos Rp Refurbished Cameras
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The Canon Store is offering an additional 10% discount on refurbished cameras and lenses.

There are some pretty good deals still in stock, as…

But there is much more! Browse the listings below:

Refurbished gear from the Canon Store comes with 1 year Canon USA warranty.

More hand-picked deals are listed here.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, B&H Photo, eBay, Adorama.

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals to be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

More Canon EOS R5 Hands-On Pictures (and first impressions)

Canon EOS R5
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Here are more pictures of the upcoming Canon EOS R5.

Both ePHOTOzine and Photography Blog had the chance to briefly get in touch with the EOS R5. The latter also posted some first impressions.

Canon already announced the development of the EOS R5. A few days ago Canon revealed more specifications to stop “fantasy speculations“.

Summing up everything, here is what we know about the game-changing EOS R5:

  • 45mp full frame CMOS sensor
  • IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation)5 stops with IBIS alone
    • 7-8 stops of correction when used with in-lens stabilization
  • 8K video with 29.97fps (30fps)
  • No-Crop on 8K video
  • Dual Pixel AF available in 8K
  • 4K@120fps
  • 4K@60fps
  • Internal recording
  • Animal detection autofocus – tracks animal subjects (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) by detecting the body, face, or eye of the subject.
  • 12fps mechanical, 20fps electronic
  • Scroll wheel added to the back
  • No touch bar
  • Liveview/Movie toggle like previous EOS DSLRs
  • Larger capacity battery, but looks like the LP-E6
  • Built-in 5GHz WiFi
  • New battery, but the same shape and compatibility as the EOS 5D Mark IV
  • Shipping in July 2020 

All Canon EOS R5 rumors and known facts are listed here.

Sony Is The Alpha Dog In The Mirrorless Pack, According to February Market Figures

Mirrorless
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Some sales figures about the mirrorless market in Japan in February 2020 (image on top).

BCN Retail published market shares for mirrorless cameras in Japan for February 2020, and they show that Sony is the undisputed leader when it comes to sales figures. Although Canon is present in the top ten withe the EOS M50 (Kiss M in Japan) and the EOS M100, it’s a clear Sony dominance with the a6400 ranked third and close to the EOS M50.