Canon announced new firmware updates for EOS-1DX Mark III and EOS R3 cameras

Canon released firmware update V 1.5.1 for the Canon EOS R3 :

• Adds the ability to register the focus position in the preset functions of the CR-A100 Camera Remote Application.
• When used with the Robotic Camera System CR-S700R, it helps the user to focus on the intended subject distance when shooting.
• Adds the ability to erase voice memos added to images and to add voice memos to protected images.
• Adds the ability to check the time in the viewfinder by pressing the Exposure　Compensation/Aperture button while looking through the viewfinder.　　
• Adds enhanced security when transferring images via FTPS transfer.
• Fixes an issue, in which, after touchscreen operation, in rare circumstances, the camera operations cannot be performed, and even if the camera is operated, [BUSY] appears on the screen.
• Fixes an issue that, in rare instances, may result in the camera may not operating normally and having no viewfinder or screen display depending on the timing of operating the button and viewfinder activation sensor.
• Fixes minor issues.

Canon released firmware update V1.8.0 for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III :

• Adds the ability to register the focus position in the preset functions of the CR-A100 Camera Remote Application.
• When used with the Robotic Camera System CR-S700R, it helps the user to focus on the intended subject distance when shooting.
• Adds the ability to erase voice memos added to images and to add voice memos to protected images.
• Adds enhanced security when transferring images via FTPS transfer.
• Fixes minor issues.

Canon announced company's first RF Mount Cinema Prime Lenses

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 12, 2023 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the introduction of the company’s first RF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses for the Cinema EOS System. The new lenses combine high optical performance for 4K and 8K shooting, cinema-style operability, and RF mount communications. The first set of seven RF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses is only the beginning. Canon plans to swiftly expand the lineup of RF-mount-compatible video production equipment to meet the needs of professional video production of such content as movies, TV, and commercials.

The seven Canon CN-R lenses, with focal lengths and T stops of 14mm T3.1, 20mm T1.5, 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.3, 85mm T1.3, and 135mm T2.2, are compatible with the two existing RF-Mount Canon Cinema Cameras, the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C. These lenses will allow for RF mount protocol transmission, and just like the EF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses, operators can control magnification, chromatic aberration correction, peripheral light correction, and a dual-pixel focus guide via camera body operations. In addition, the new lenses also feature lens distortion correction. These features support efficient video production during on-location recording and post-production workflow.

The new lenses are able to achieve high optical performance suitable for use with 4K and 8K cameras by optimally positioning large-diameter aspherical lens elements and lens elements with anomalous dispersion glass. Their compatibility with the full-frame large-format sensor, bright T stop values1, and 11-blade iris helps produce a shallow depth of field for subjects, natural round blurring, and soft image expressions. In addition, unified Cinema EOS color balance throughout the series helps provide consistent color, even when changing lenses.

Designed with an ideal level of ring torque, the new lenses allow for the precise and smooth adjustments often needed during cinema productions. Thanks to a unified design across the series, including the gear position of the operation ring, the diameter of the lens, and the rotation angle (operation angle), lenses can be effortlessly swapped in and out without the need to adjust matte boxes or external focus accessories for each lens. A new coarse surface near the mount provides a comfortable and ergonomic fit in the user’s hand, allowing the lens to be held securely without gripping the operation ring when attaching and detaching different lenses.

Pricing and Availability

Product                          Pricing                  Availability

CN-R14mm T3.1 L F $4,220.00 Late February 2024

CN-R20mm T1.5 L F $4,220.00 Late March 2024

CN-R24mm T1.5 L F $4,220.00 Late January 2024

CN-R35mm T1.5 L F $3,950.00 Late January 2024

CN-R50mm T1.3 L F $3,950.00 Late January 2024

CN-R85mm T1.3 L F $3,950.00 Late January 2024

CN-R135mm T2.2 L F $3,950.00 Late April 2024

Canon continues its dominance in global market share for digital cameras

In a report published today in the Nikkei, Techno Systems Research reports that Canon has continued its dominant market share in the digital camera space for 2022. Both Canon and Nikon showed every so slight increases in market share, with Sony going on the other.

According to Techno Systems Research the entire digital camera market shrank again in 2022, though we don't put that solely on customer desire, but also on the issues still occurring around the globe with inflation, interest rate hikes and all of that other fun stuff.

Digital Camera Market Share 2022  Change from 2021 in parenthesis

• Canon 46.5% (+0.7%)
• Sony 26.1% (-0.9%)
• Nikon 11.7% (+0.4%)
• Fujifilm 5.8% (-0.1%)
• Panasonic 4.2% (-0.2%)

The top 5 brands accounted for 94.3% of all digital cameras sold in 2022. So that means the remaining 5.7% of the market is divided up between Ricoh/Pentax, OM Systems, Leica, Sigma and other OEM manufacturers.

A similar performance for Canon in 2023 is expected, especially with the launch of more affordable camera bodies such as the EOS R100, EOS R50, EOS R7, EOS R10 and the EOS R8 in 2022 and 2023. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has also been a very popular camera with good sales numbers for Canon.

While many of us prefer the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1 bodies, the lower price point products will always outsell the high end camera bodies that enthusiasts crave.