[Rumor] More Canon Mirrorless Information Leaking (June Announcement Confirmed)

www.davidriesenberg.com

I report and sum up the Canon mirror-less news i got in the last few days. My source told me that a Canon mirror-less camera will indeed be announced next month, in June. I’ve been told that the camera will  have a 4:3 ratio sensor and that it looks a little like Nikon’s V1 (but will be much much better a camera than the V1 :-) ). This means it will could have the sensor of the PowerShot G1 X (good!) and it will have a modern look, not vintage-style as other mirror-less cams. Unlike most of the renderings and concepts we saw floating around the Web in the last months, the upcoming Canon mirror-less cam will not be a vintage designed range-finder camera. In other words: it will not look like the Fuji X100 or the Olympus E-M5.

No mention so far about the lens-mount it will have. I wonder if the pancake lens I reported about yesterday has something to do with the upcoming mirror-less system camera by Canon. I mean: a pancake lens seems to be made for ILCs, but will it mount natively or will it need an adapter? That’s a big question in my opinion. There is such a lot of outstanding Canon lenses that I really hope Canon will deliver an easy yet fully functional way (read: adapter) to use these lens on its upcoming Interchangeable Lens Camera. I heard also some rumors saying that the camera will/could have an EF-S mount. Given the race to always smaller ILC bodies, I think this is not very plausible. But then: who knows.

What follows are my very own thoughts about the whole Canon mirrorless 4/3 thing:

  • I hope Canon will make a light-weighted camera – I always had DSLRs, and as much as I like them, I do not like the bulk that comes with them
  • Let us use the whole range of EF lenses in their full functionality (i.e. all features including IS and AF, camera controlled aperture and exposure)
  • We want the EF-adapter, do not overprice it!
  • Give us full cross-compatibility with the EOS system
  • Give us some light and small prime lenses (and maybe a couple of zooms) made specifically for the ILC
  • Give us a cool kit lens, but make it really cool & smart
  • Give us an ILC with high ISOs, and with good high ISO performance (Canon, you can do it!)
  • Please keep the price at a reasonable level, at least lower than $800 (kit lens included) – The PowerShot G1 X is a fine camera with an outstanding lens, but a little overpriced IMHO
  • And finally: surprise us with an amazing sensor. Canon has so much sensor science and skills, they can do it.

There is only one thing given for granted: June will be a hot month for Canon fans! :-)

Another Light-Leak Problem on a Canon Camera (PowerShot G1 X, this time)

imaging-resource published a detailed and exhaustive review of the PowerShot G1 X. And while the review confirms the many good features of the G1 X (high ISO performance, outstanding lens, good video performance, and much more), it appears that the tech-savy folks at IR found also a small problem that shows up in certain conditions: light leaking and finding a way to the sensor when it should not. The result are visible (and replicable) artifacts in the images (click here for a test shot showing the artifact). The problem occurs only at high ISO settings (>1600) and focal lengths around 50mm equivalent, and it’s most pronounced using an exposure of 1/4000. When all these parameters are given, then a «bright light source near the center or toward the bottom of the frame will produce a bright artifact in the center and right side of the image». Quoting (scroll down to the very end of the post to read about the problem and to see the test images):

The cause is likely a light leak or reflection through the lens assembly that makes its way around the shutter, allowing light to fall on the sensor either before or after the shutter opens and closes to make its exposure. Since the effect is most pronounced at 1/4,000 second, it seems that extra light is allowed to fall on the sensor after the shutter has closed to end its exposure, but while the sensor is still powered up to record light.

They sent the images to Canon asking for feedback. Canon calls the phenomenon “glowing dots”, but there are no dots. However, Canon states that «[d]ue to the limited circumstances under which the PowerShot G1X ‘Glow Dots’ phenomenon can occur, Canon does not plan to change the camera’s specifications or offer repair service for this issue.» It must be said that the setting where this phenomenon shows up is not a real world setting: you will hardly shot bright objects using a high ISO setting. True. Nevertheless, quoting imaging-resource again:

We want to note up front that this phenomenon is not very likely to show up in average everyday shooting situations, because most of us don’t shoot bright objects at ISO 1,600 to 12,800 at high shutter speeds. But those trying to achieve a special effect or even simply forgetting to change from a high ISO to a lower one when entering bright light might encounter the defect, just as we did.

Unfortunately the phenomenon occurs also when shooting a bright object, not only when there is a strong light source in the frame. Check the images of the garage door (click here) and this one to get an idea. The leak occurs through the lenses and not through the viewfinder or other openings on the camera (this was extensively tested). Concluding:

So what might be happening to cause this? While we can’t tell for sure, we think that light is bouncing off the shutter itself after it closes, but while the sensor is still sensitive to light. We think it’s happening after the shutter closes, because the effect doesn’t appear to be visible at slower shutter speeds: Our hypothesis is that the artifact is being recorded during a very short interval after the main exposure occurs. If the light levels are such as to produce a proper exposure with a shutter speed of, say, 1/60 second, the brief interval during which light from the leak accumulates after the exposure would represent a very small portion of the total exposure time, and so not be noticeable. Further supporting this theory is that the artifact fades relative to the main exposure as you move to lower ISO sensitivities, suggesting that the leak is being recorded for a relatively short, fixed duration.

Did anyone here notice the same issue on a PowerShot G1 X?

[via imaging-resource]

Rumor: Two new Canon Cameras in June? (T4i/650D & mirrorless)

www.davidriesenberg.com

The rumors I reported about in the last weeks are getting more consistent. A few days ago CanonWatch broke the news about a possible announcement at the end of May or beginning of June of a mirrorless system camera. Now more information about such an announcement seem to have leaked. What can we expect Canon to announce in June? The Rebel T4i/EOS 650D and a mirrorless system camera. Both were expected for Photokina in September. Now it looks like they are around the corner. In September we will probably see a new EOS 7D and a second mirrorless camera. Stay tuned!

Update: these are the rumored specs of the next EOS 7D:

  • 26MP
  • Advanced AF system like the 5D Mark III
  • Digic V
  • 10-12 fps
  • 3.2 inch OLED screen
  • Wireless flash control E-TTL III

For the time being, the PowerShot G1 X is Canon’s only attempt to jump on the mirrorless bandwagon. It’s a wonderful camera with an outstanding lens, but it’s a fixed lens. And that’s not what most of us were expecting. So, let’s wait what will happen in June!

In the meantime, check the latest PowerShot G1 X pictures upload to Flickr.

[via CR]

 

Canon Mirrorless System Camera to be announced in May?

Canon Mirrorless Camera Concept by D. Riesenberg

I got this information from a source (thank you!). It says that Canon will showcase the upcoming mirrorless ILC to selected customers in Australia during PMA Australia at the end of May. The new camera should then be announced in June. That Canon is working on a mirrorless ILC is given for sure. Canon just released its First Quarter Earning Call, and you can find some hints concerning those plans there. Canon…

[…] will further differentiate and enhance [its] lineup by launching new cameras offering the image qualities that approaches SLR cameras; furthering the improvement in design and qualities, and by incorporating features such as network, connectivity capabilities.

Looks like the upcoming mirrorless system camera could have WiFi connectivity (let’s hope so!). I reported the probable specs of Canon’s upcoming mirrorless system camera in a previous post. Here they are again:

  • Two Cameras
  • G1 X Sensor Size
  • APS-C a possibility in one camera
  • 14 & 24 megapixels
  • EF compatibility, but not EF mount.
  • EVF on one camera
  • 3-5 Lenses announced at launch.

Stay tuned! In the meantime, have a look to Canon’s one and only attempt to get into the 4/3 market – the PowerShot G1 X, which can be yours . Or check the continuously updated live-ticker below for possible G1 X bargains:


 

[shariff]

Latest Canon Mirrorless Rumor

 

canonrumors summed up what’s murmured about Canon’s upcoming mirrorless ILC projects to be announced in 2012 (think Photokina). Something will come for sure, since you can’t hardly believe that the PowerShot G1 X (click here for a cool G1 X deal) is the only answer Canon was able to give to the raising mirrorless system camera phenomenon. That’s what’s said we can can expect by Canon in the next months.

 

  • Two Cameras
  • G1 X Sensor Size
  • APS-C a possibility in one camera
  • 14 & 24 megapixels
  • EF compatibility, but not EF mount.
  • EVF on one camera
  • 3-5 Lenses announced at launch.

 

HOT DEAL: PowerShot G1 X, camera bag, lens cleaning kit & 4GB memory card for $729

If you live in the US, I have two good deals for you. Both shops are based in the USA and ship for free. First one comes from top rated eBay seller beachcamera: a kit that bundles the PowerShot G1 X, a camera bag, a lens cleaning kit and a 4GB memory card (>10 kits available). All for . Price is visible on check-out. Not bad if you consider that the G1 X has an official price of $799!

 

I found another deal, although not as good as the previous one. The PowerShot G1 X is sold for by top rated eBay seller bigvalueinc. More than 10 items available. Well, it’s still $72 below the official price. :-)