Canon Exec Seems To Say 8K Video On The EOS R5 Is There Only For Marketing

canon eos r5 review 8k video firmware updste

The old Canon EOS R5 polemics are getting a heads up from a Canon exec. It’s about 8K video and why it was featured on the EOS R5.

In an interview with Japanese camera website Toyokeizai, Mr. Tsuyoshi Tokura, Canon’s imaging division general manager, said something rather interesting about 8K video on the EOS R5 (emphasis mine).

I don’t think video-focused users are driving the reputation of this new product. However, I was particular about the spec of 8K, and I was enthusiastic to put it out first, ahead of other companies. We have been making efforts to improve video performance at the same time as still images. Naturally, this new product has significantly improved still image performance, and I am not strongly conscious of giving it a big mission to attract video users

The second part I put in emphasis is the interesting part. Although something might have been lost in machine translation from Japanese, it seems to say “the only reason we put 8K on the EOS R5 was to be ahead of competition“. It really sounds that way.

He also seem to say that the commercial success of the Canon EOS R5 was mainly due to the name and the hype built around the camera.

“First of all, it has high performance and strong product appeal. The timing of the release was also great. The camera market has bottomed out significantly since spring, and we were able to launch new products when it recovered. In some respects, the return of the market was a tailwind.”

Mr. Tsuyoshi Tokura seems quite optimistic about the mirrorless market:

The EOS R5 is a professional product, and the price is quite high. Not only the body but also the (sales of) interchangeable lenses for full-size mirrorless cameras are growing steadily, and I feel that it shows the solidity of the R serie

Guess this interview will stir up new polemics about the Canon EOS R5.

Canon EOS R5 reviews are listed here, for EOS R6 reviews see here. The EOS R5 is highly regarded as a stills camera. In particular, the EOS R5 autofocus system seems to be huge leap forwards. User manual are available for download for the EOS R5 and the EOS R6.

Canon EOS R5: [shoplist 62744]

[via EOSHD]

Death Of Canon EOS M Series “not happening” But Production Might Slow Down, Report

canon eos m50 mark ii review

We have some news about the imminent death of the Canon EOS M lineup. It’s not going to happen.

A good source contacted us and told us that Canon putting an end to the EOS M lineup is “not happening any time soon”. Although, the source added, production of EOS M cameras and lenses is likely to slow down because of supply issues caused by the pandemic and Canon giving precedence to the EOS R system.

We had no doubt about that and got similar hints from other sources. On the other hand, common sense is already enough to debunk this always again recycled rumor. Ask yourself: why would Canon kill a lineup with bestsellers like the EOS M50? Not to mention that the whole EOS M series is quite popular with consumers. So, Canon is set to kill their best selling mirrorless camera with ab APS-C sensor? We don’t think that is realistic.

The soon-to-come death of the EOS M series is often used to push another weird rumor, that’s Canon releasing an EOS R model with APS-C sensor. We are still not entirely sold on an EOS R with crop sensor, although it’s at least possible. The same rumor suggesting that EOS R with APS-C also claims that Canon has no intention to make RF mount lenses for the APS-C sensor. A bit strange if you think that Canon made a wholesome EF-S lens lineup for their DSLRs with crop sensor.

Also, keep in mind that APS-C centered technology is less expensive than its full frame counterpart, both for the manufacturer and for the consumer. Not only has the manufacturing process of an APS-C imaging sensor lower costs than for FF, the lower costs regard all part that make up an APS-C camera (lenses included). This applies more to DSLRs but it also true for mirrorless to some degree. APS-C technology also means longer reach with telephoto lenses, one of the reasons the EOS 7D series was so popular with wild life photographers. Last but not least: APS-C technology means smaller form size of the camera. Something a lot of users appreciate.

In conclusion, we don’t think Canon will kill the EOS M lineup. There simply is no rational in doing it. Maybe, and only maybe, if Canon really releases an EOS R with APS-C sensor (and dedicated lenses for such a crop system), then it might happen. If it does, it won’t happen in 2021, as rumored, but sometime in the next 5 or more years. If ever.

Canon RF 600mm f/11 Review (delivers some incredible images, SLR Lounge)

canon rf 600mm f/11 review

Here is a new Canon RF 600mm f/11 Lens review. The RF 600mm f/11 and RF 800mm f/11 made quite a splash when they were announced. Initially seen with skepticism, they are now getting many positive reviews.

This Canon RF 600mm f/11 review comes from SLR Lounge, the Canon RF 600mm f/11 Lens review says the “lens packs a punch despite its weight […] and delivered some incredible images”. From their conclusion:

1) The lens has a tendency to front and back focus, and 2) the f/11 comes with limitations, meaning you’ll want to pair this lens with a solid camera body, like an EOS R5 or R6 or better. The EOS R, in my opinion, was the baseline minimum that you would want. I would also remind you that this is a 600mm fixed focal length lens, a specialist lens, so you really have limited compositional control beyond simply moving closer or farther away on your own two feet, and you may be limited, depending on the kind of scenes/locations that you’re shooting in.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Well, I would really love to have this lens to go traveling with,” then you might reconsider. For those of you that like to travel and you still want telephoto capability, I would recommend something like a 70-200mm, or a 100-300mm lens, where you still have range. If you’re shooting birds or animals, where distance is a common issue, then the 600mm lens is going to be perfect for you.

Read the review at SLR Lounge…

And if you prefer, here is the 13 minutes video review.

If you are interested there is an interview with the engineers who developed these lens. Also, Canon already said there will be more such lenses. For more Canon RF 800mm f/11 and RF 600mm f/11 review stuff have a look here.

Canon RF 600mm f/11 [shoplist 62748]

Canon RF 800mm f/11 [shoplist 62749]

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Canon EOS R Review – After Using It For A Year

canon eos r review

With all the talk about the Canon EOS R5 (and R6) we might forget that Canon has another very capable full frame mirrorless camera. Here is a Canon EOS R review.

Coming from Photo Tom, the 9 minutes video review below discusses pro and cons of the Canon EOS R.

More Canon EOS R review stuff is listed here.

Canon EOS R: [shopcountry 52287]

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The Canon EOS M System Is Going To Die. Is It Really?

canon eos m50 mark ii review

A few weeks ago a many times recycled rumor made its rounds again, suggesting Canon will kill the Canon EOS M lineup after 2021. We think this is bs.

Going on since many years, the rumor suggesting the imminent dead of the EOS M system surfaces now and then. But it’s utterly absurd, and good only for clickbait. There is no reason Canon would kill the EOS M lineup. We reached out to our sources and no one told us this might happen.

Why the hell would Canon kill the EOS M system? The EOS M50 is a best seller since it was released, and the EOS M50 Mark II is following on its footsteps. Indeed, the whole EOS M series is very popular. The mere fact that some sites consider it not worth to be mentioned doesn’t prove the end is near for the EOS M. The EOS M50 is a top seller on the US and Japan market. A fact stated by Canon itself.

I don’t think Canon is so dumb to discontinue their best selling mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor as long as people wants to buy it in large figures. It seems that the only reason the EOS M has to die is because of some snobbish people who wants it to. You know, those characters with a website always bragging with their expensive gear while belittling less expensive cameras and the people using them.

We might be wrong, obviously. But we would be surprised if we are. There is simply no reason Canon would kill the EOS M and it seems calling it dead has no reason than to support another long running and bewildering rumor.

Let us know what you think.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Review (best RF kit zoom)

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM review

Here is a Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM review. The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM is a budget lens for the EOS R system.

It’s good to see that Canon is releasing many budget oriented lenses for the EOS R system. And it’s also good to know that those lenses perform very good, despite not being boutique lenses.

CameraLab’s Gordon Laing posted his Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM review, and he is rather positive on this lens. From his conclusion:

The Canon RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 STM is the budget kit zoom the EOS R system has been waiting for. Sure, it may lack the glamour of the brighter aperture and more exotic models, but every system needs a low-cost general-purpose zoom to bundle with the entry-level bodies as a starting point.

Thankfully modern lens design coupled with in-camera corrections actually makes it a lot better than you’d think, especially for the size, weight and money. In my tests it delivered respectable sharpness across the frame, throughout the range and even with the aperture wide-open. By employing a variable aperture that dims to f7.1 at the long-end, Canon’s been able to keep size, weight and cost down, making it a very practical and attainable option, while the reasonably close focusing increases its flexibility further.

Read the full review…

Sample pictures can be seen here. Gordon provided a video review too.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM sells at $399: [shopcountry 61487]

Key features:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • Center Macro Focus, 1:2 Magnification
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
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