Latest Canon Patent Applications (fast EF lenses, RF lenses, wide angle zooms)

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Here is a list of Canon patent applications.

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066586 describes optical formulas for various fast prime lenses for the EOS M system.

  • 20mm 1.4
  • 14mm 1.8
  • 22mm 1.2
  • 24mm 1.2

Focal distance 20.50 20.45 20.26 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 46.54 46.54 46.54 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 100.04 99.55 97.71 
BF 38.32 38.81 40.65 

Focal distance 18.52 18.46 18.25 
F number 1.31 1.31 1.31 
Half field angle 49.44 49.53 49.85 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 106.98 106.51 104.95 
BF 38.97 39.44 41.00 

Focal distance 14.69 14.68 14.64 
F number 1.85 1.85 1.85 
Half field angle 55.82 55.85 55.91 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 104.15 103.78 102.95 
BF 38.33 38.70 39.53 

Focal distance 22.69 22.60 22.20 
F number 1.24 1.24 1.25 
Half field angle 43.63 43.75 44.27 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 107.46 106.9 104.5 
BF 38.32 38.88 41.28 

Focal distance 24.10 24.03 23.69 
F number 1.24 1.24 1.24 
Half field angle 41.92 42.00 42.40 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 108.28 107.72 104.96 
BF 38.33 38.89 41.65 

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066585 describes more optical formulas for fast primes lenses for the EOS M system.

  • 20mm 1.4
  • 16mm 1.4
  • 14mm 1.8
  • 17mm 1.8
  • 16mm 1.8
  • 18mm 1.8

Focal distance 20.50 20.45 20.26 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 46.54 46.54 46.54 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 100.04 99.55 97.71 
BF 38.32 38.81 40.64 

Focal distance 16.40 16.36 16.21 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 52.84 52.84 52.84 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 98.97 98.65 97.42 
BF 38.50 38.83 40.05 

Focal distance 14.40 14.38 14.29 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 56.35 56.35 56.35 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 88.57 88.32 87.42 
BF 38.79 39.04 39.94 

Focal distance 17.16 17.14 17.06 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 51.58 51.58 51.58 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 90.00 89.66 88.39 
BF 40.51 40.86 42.12 

Focal distance 16.04 16.00 15.86 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 53.45 53.45 53.45 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 94.99 94.67 93.46 
BF 38.80 39.13 40.33 

Focal distance 18.81 18.75 18.52 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 48.99 48.99 48.99 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 93.37 93.37 93.37 
BF 39.52 39.52 39.52

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066653 describes optical formulas for 14-40mm f/4 and 16-40mm f/4 lenses for the EOS R system.

Focal distance 14.43 21.62 40.74 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 56.30 45.01 27.97 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 138.31 128.15 129.29 
BF 12.84 12.84 12.84

Focal distance 16.41 23.12 38.80 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 52.82 43.10 29.14 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 118.88 112.53 114.89 
BF 12.78 12.78 12.78 

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066654 describes optical formulas for 15-35mm f/4 and 16-35mm F/4 lenses for the EOS R system.

Focal distance 15.45 24.00 34.00 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 54.47 42.03 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 125.38 119.21 116.89 
BF 12.00 19.66 24.40 

Focal distance 16.48 24.00 34.00 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 52.70 42.03 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 127.27 116.39 111.30 
BF 10.95 16.82 23.58 

And finally, Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066701 describes optical formulas for two more RF lenses:

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L

Focal distance 15.30 24.20 34.00 
F number 2.91 2.91 2.91 
Field angle 54.73 41.80 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 135.05 125.84 125.33 
BF 13.00 22.20 32.26 
 

Canon RF 17-70mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal distance 17.30 35.00 68.00 
F number 3.58 4.18 5.85 
Field angle 51.35 31.72 17.65 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 142.70 138.53 143.42 
BF 13.32 29.60 57.62 

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

Is Quad Pixel Autofocus The Upcoming Evolution Of Dual Pixel AF?

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A recently spotted Canon patent application suggests Canon might be at works to design the technological evolution of its patented Dual Pixel Auto Focus (DPAF).

Canon patent application 2019-041178 (Japan) describes a technology where pixels are split in four parts. This should allow for a more precise AF in all possible directions.

From the patent literature:

Therefore, there is the object of this invention in providing the image sensor which can always perform focus detection by an image surface phase difference system with high precision, and the imaging device using this image sensor. 

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image sensor by the present invention, A plurality of optical waveguides which a unit pixel part provided with a plurality of pixels is the image sensor arranged by two-dimensional matrix form, and draw light to said plurality of pixels, respectively, It has the segregant formed among said plurality of waveguides, the height and position of the aforementioned segregant are changed according to image height, and the pupil distance of said plurality of pixels is changed in each of the aforementioned unit pixel part. 

The patent literature seems to describe an APS-C sensor with a resolution around 20MP:

A unit pixel has the 1st focus detection pixel 201, the 2nd focus detection pixel 202, the 3rd focus detection pixel 203, and the 4th focus detection pixel 204, and these pixels are arranged by two lines x two rows. In the illustrated example, although the pixel structure of four lines x four rows is shown, the many pixel is actually arranged by two-dimensional matrix form. For example, the image sensor is 4 micrometers in the cycle P of a pixel, and is side [ of 5575 lines ] x [ 3725 rows ] long = about 20,750,000 pixels in the pixel number N. The image sensor is 2 micrometers in the line writing direction cycle PAF of a focus detection pixel, and is side [ of 11150 lines ] x [ 7450 rows ] long = about 83,060,000 pixels in the focus detection pixel number NAF. 

No idea if this patent describes a technology that might get into production soon. More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production in the next few years are these:

Canon Patent For 35mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.2 and 70-200mm f/2.8 Lenses for Full Frame Cameras

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Hi Lows Note spotted a Canon patent application (2019-45631A) describing optical formulas for a 35mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.2 for full frame DSLRs, and for a 70-200mm f/2.8 for full frame mirrorless cameras (the EOS R system).

Focal length: 34.31 mm
F number: 1.45
Angle of view: 32.24
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 139.98 mm
Back focus: 39.01 mm

Focal length: 85.00 mm
F number: 1.24
Angle of view: 14.28
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 123.50 mm
Back focus: 39.70 mm

Zoom ratio: 2.71
Focal length: 72.00 ~ 134.99 ~ 194.94 mm
F number: 2.91 ~ 2.91 ~ 2.98
Angle of view: 16.73 ~ 9.11 ~ 6.33
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 172.73 ~ 219.96 ~ 231.71 mm
Back focus: 14.37 ~ 18.40 ~ 28.12 mm

Canon Patent: RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS Lens For EOS R System

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Canon is investing in their new EOS R system in a concrete and solid way. Here is a Canon patent application (2019-020679) for an RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS lens. This lens is the EOS R version of a very common lens aimed at non professionals, for the consumer market.

Next week (2/14/19) Canon will announce the EOS RP, the company’s first entry level full frame mirrorless camera, and a lens like the RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS is sure to hit the market soon (most patent application never do). I’m just not 100% sure it’s also image stabilised.

  • Zoom ratio: 4.11
  • Focal length: 71.40~136.34~293.23 mm
  • F number: 3.94~4.72~5.83
  • Half angle of view: 16.86~9.02~4.22
  • Image height: 21.64 mm
  • Lens length: 165.00~202.03~235.83 mm
  • Back focus: 12.14~31.67~72.45 mm

The Canon patent application was spotted by Hi Low Notes.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production in the next few years are these: