Canon full-frame mirrorless camera coming to surprise us? [CW3]

Canon FF mirrorless camera mock-up by David Riesenberg
Canon FF mirrorless camera mock-up by David Riesenberg

Canon Watch was the first site to report that Canon is working on a full-frame mirrorless camera. Now some more tidbits point in this directions. It’s suggested that

Canon will “surprise a lot of people” with one of their next mirrorless camera

While this new rumor doesn’t explicitly mention a full-frame mirrorless camera, it’s likely that only such a camera could surprise us. The same rumor also suggests that Canon will “no longer playing catch-up” in the mirrorless domain. That Canon is willing to get serious with mirrorless was also posted first here on CW.

The latest reliable rumor I got about a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera dates back to November. It was suggested that Canon’s FF mirrorless camera is delayed because of mount-related issues.

All rumors about a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera are listed here.

Stay tuned…

Enthusiast-grade EOS M4 and new EF-M lenses coming, says Canon’s Masaya Maeda (8K, 4K, 120MP & 250MP sensors, new EF-S lenses, high-end inkjet printers coming soon, and much more)

EOS M3
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Imaging Resource posted a long and revealing interview with Mr. Masaya Maeda, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive of Canon Inc’s Image Communication Products Operations. The interview was taken at Canon Expo 2015 in NYC.

One of the things you can read in the interview is that Canon will soon release a new line of high-end inkjet printers. According to Mr. Maeda, this may happen very soon. There is also talk about Canon’s strategy in the lens department. All the new lenses released in the last 5 years have been engineered with the EOS 5Ds and EOS 5Ds R in mind. Mr. Maeda talks about 8K and 4K, the 120MP and 250MP sensors, reveals that new EF-S lenses will be announced.

Obviously, there is a question about Canon’s plans with mirrorless technology.

Q: […[ What is Canon’s strategy relative to mirrorless, and are you in any danger of being left behind in that market? Many competitors have not just a range of bodies, but a very large collection of lenses for them, as well.

Masaya Maeda: As I mentioned before when I talked about lenses, for all of the products, we are working from the top of the pyramid. Going forward […] we will put more effort into mirrorless, and also, naturally, we will continue to expand the EF-M lens group. In the very near future, I think that Canon will come out with a mirrorless camera that you would really like.

Masaya Maeda: I promise.

Sounds a bit like a deja vu to me (thanks lw). Another interesting question regards Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology.

Q: […] Dual Pixel CMOS AF has had a huge impact on autofocus performance, especially for video. We understand that it’s also a very expensive technology to manufacture. Can the cost come down as you gain more experience in manufacturing, or will it always cost quite a bit more than conventional sensors? And is there a chance we would eventually see it in Rebel-class cameras? Dual Pixel would especially benefit EOS M, where you don’t have the separate phase-detect system; is cost the overriding reason we haven’t seen it there?

Masaya Maeda: You are exactly right here. In the future, I would really want to introduce the Dual Pixel CMOS AF on projects in the Rebel-class cameras. We’re working on that.

An EOS M4 camera with Dual Pixel AF on board would make a huge difference. There is a lot more in the interview with Mr. Masaya Maeda.

Canon EOS M3: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Our Canon EOS M3 review: a powerhouse with shortcomings

EOS M3
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The Canon EOS M3 is the company’s third mirrorless camera. And it is Canon’s first serious mirrorless camera, with many features and functions that will appeal to the enthusiasts. So, how does the EOS M3 perform and is it right for you?

It seems Canon listened to their customers while developing the EOS M3. Unlike the original EOS M, the M3 gained additional controls, a large grip, and has a 3-inch touchscreen that tilts up (180 degrees) and down (45 degrees). The EOS M3 features a new 24MP APS-C sensor, 49-points Hybrid CMOS III AF system, DIGIC 6 processor, Full 1080p HD video at 24/25/30 fps, ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600), a two-level axis, WiFi and NFC connectivity, 4.2 fps, a built-in flash, 14 bit RAW, and a flash hot-shoe that can be used to mount an EVF. The EOS M3 is a powerhouse with shortcomings. Bear with me for the review after the break. I also start We Shoot EOS M, a forum dedicated to all EOS M shooters, and available to other Canon shooters too.

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Canon full-frame mirrorless camera coming in 2016, early prototype existing in Canon labs? [CW2]

canonlogoQuestionMark2

A few weeks ago we had an interesting rumor, suggesting Canon may go serious about their EOS M system in 2016. There was no mention of full-frame mirrorless cameras.

I have been told (thanks) that Canon may indeed announce a full-frame mirrorless camera in 2016. I rate the rumor CW2 since I had so many misleading rumors about Canon’s mirrorless plans in the past. The source insisted to say that some sort of early prototype already exists, though it never came out of Canon’s labs. That’s to say that there are no test units out in the wild but just (if true) a prototype in a very early stage of development, still undergoing lab tests and development. It sounds at least plausible.

While I am sure Canon has the skills and the know-how to produce a full-frame mirrorless camera, I am pretty cautious with such rumors. A full-frame mirrorless camera is rumored since at least two years. The source promised to deliver some specs in the near future. We will see.

For the time being I guess most Canon shooters would be more than happy if Canon eventually decides to put all their tech skills and knowledge in a truly serious EOS M camera. The EOS M3 is an important step forward (for Canon), but it is not enough. What Canon needs to do is making a mirrorless camera that appeals also to people not having scores on Canon glass on their shelves.

Stay tuned on CW!