Canon Interview – EOS R3, Lenses, RF Mount, Computational Photography

Canon Eos R3 Sensor

Here is an interview with Mr. Go Tokura, Chief Executive, Image Communication Business Operations. The Canon EOS R3 is also discussed.

DPReview hold the the interview with Mr. Go Tokura. Here are some excerpts. Don’t expect too much since Canon rarely tells a lot in these interviews.

Will the EOS R3 be capable of high resolution video as well as stills?

We cannot provide detailed information at this point, but we can confirm that oversampled 4K video capture will be possible.

[…]

Can you give examples of some of the technologies used in your RF lenses which are only possible because they’ve been designed for mirrorless?

The optical designs of the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM fully leverage the advantages of the RF mount’s large diameter and short flange-back distance to achieve a significant reduction in length compare with their EF mount counterparts (EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM and EF 70-200mm F4L IS II USM, respectively).

Additionally, the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses would only have been possible with mirrorless cameras. Thanks to Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which performs well in low-light environments, AF is still usable even at slower apertures (higher F-numbers).

[…]

Will dual-pixel CMOS AF evolve to include ‘quad-pixel AF’ with cross-type AF points?

We are certainly considering the idea of cross-type AF and quad-pixel AF. Autofocus is a relatively broad term, technologically speaking, so we are looking at its potential evolution in three ways: (Evolution in) AF sensitivity, ultra-high speed and AI-powered tracking. Cross-type AF and quad-pixel AF are possible themes we will consider.

Read the interview at DPReview.

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

Canon Eos R3 Specifications

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 Confirms Once More The Focus On RF Lenses (unless the market demands EF lenses)

Canon Rf Mount Canon RF 50mm F/1.2L Review Canon Rf Lenses

We already knew that Canon is 100% focused on RF lenses from another interview back in October 2018. It got confirmed again in a recent interview with a Canon exec.

Canon is entirely set to build outstanding RF mount lenses and will slow down the production of EF mount lenses. In an interview with Digital Camera World, this was confirmed by Richard Shepherd, pro product marketing senior manager at Canon Europe:

As you know, last year we launched the RF mount and EOS R system […] To date we’ve launched ten critically acclaimed lenses, and as it’s a new system we plan to continue this, launching more RF lenses while still fully supporting the EF lens system. And of course, should the market demand it, we are ready to create new EF lenses. But for now, our focus is on RF.

While this will most likely not mean the immediate dead of the 33 years old EF mount system, it’s never the less a significant statement. Canon is committed to their EOS R full frame mirrorless system, and this interview is another confirmation. Also, is there anything left to realise in the EF mount format? I mean, is there a lens that doesn’t exist in Canon’s lineup?

I’m a bit puzzled by the “should the market demand it” statement. This, in marketing slang, usually means something is already dead and ready to get buried. But we are talking about Canon here, a slow paced and conservative company, so don’t expect the EF mount system to disappear anytime soon.

Canon’s EF lens production has not yet been discontinued.

More interviews with Canon execs and engineers are listed here.

Law And Ethics In Street Photography Explained In 20 Minutes

Street Photography

If you’re into street photography most likely you have already faced some of the ethical aspects and hopefully did not incur in any legal issues that might come along with this peculiar form of photography.

It’s not just a matter of what you should take a picture of (or not picture, the ethical question) but also a matter of what you can picture (the legal aspects). In the video below Sean Tucker interviews Nick Dunmur, a member of the legal team at the AOP (Association of Photographers) to talk about the laws that regulate street photography and taking picture of people in public. The video also offers some interesting thoughts on how to put together your own moral code of conduct for your photography.

Camera Market Going To Shrink For Two More Years, Canon CEO Says

Canon Rumors Color Calibration

Fujio Mitarai, Canon chairman and CEO, says the camera market will not stop shrinking for the next two years.

In an interview with Japanese site NewsSwitch, Mr. Fujio Mitarai, discusses the state of the global camera market. Here a few (machine translated) excerpts:

Question: The digital camera business, which has long been a leader, is facing market contraction.

Answer: Compact digital cameras were sold at 114 million units in 2008, the peak year, but it was 10.5 million or less than one-tenth in 2008. Single-lens cameras also peaked at 18 million in 2012. In 18 years, the number of units decreased by almost half to 10.3 million units, and this trend will continue for another two years, both of which are prepared to fall to 5-6 million units. It ’s a change.

It seems that the recently started trade war between the US and China forces Canon to introduce some changes in their production system.

Question: Is it necessary to review the existing production system due to intensifying trade friction between the United States and China?

Answer: We have been reviewing it for some time. We have been focusing on reducing costs by using robots for production, focusing on Japan, and in-house production of robots and other equipment. The software development and re-education in the machine design field are completed, and when they are completed, overseas factories will not be necessary. 

You can read the machine translated interview here.

[via Digicame Info]