Canon EOS-1D C Mark II Camera with 8K Video?

Canon EOS-1D C 4K DSLR camera

When the Canon EOS-1D C camera was announced back in April, 2012 and made available for sale in March 2013, the list price was $15,000. Now you can buy a new one for $3,899.

Nowadays, every camera manufacturer offers cameras with 4K video. Some are selling for just a few hundred dollars. Of course, not all cameras with 4K video or high Megapixels are created equal. To causal observers, they may not know the difference and wonder why one should pay thousands of dollars for a camera like the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II when a Point-n-Shoot model has more megapixels and cost a fraction of the price.

Canon announced their 8K camera development during the Canon EXPO in September 2015. This is their next big product announcement to differentiate itself from the competition. The EOS-1D C Mark II or something equivalent may be the camera to take up that mantle.

The upcoming movie, Guardian of the Galaxy, Volume 2 was shot with 8K cameras. Canon is bent on being the first company to offer state-of-the-art equipment to filmmakers and videographers to enter this new universe.

Canon Debuts 8K Prototype Camera at Photokina 2016

At the Photokina 2016, Canon displayed a modified Cinema C300 Mark II camcorder prototype with a 8K Super 35mm sensor. It shoots 8K RAW files at 60 fps. One hour of footage will generate over 10 TB of data. Read my earlier post on Canon's 8K camera projects.

Canon Cinema EOS C500 Mark II Debut at NAB 2016

Canon Cinema EOS C500 camcorders

The NAB 2016 Show starts on April 16 in Las Vegas. Canon may fall short of an official announcement but will tell the public at the show about its Cinema EOS C500 Mark II camcorder, replete with 8K video.

In addition, Canon filed another new patent for more Cinema EOS glass. The latest addition is the CN-E 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. More Cinema EOS news to come soon . . . . . 

Canon Patent - CN-E 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens

Canon filed a new patent for another Cinema EOS glass. It is the CN-E 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. The NAB 2016 Show starts on April 16. There will be a few new lens from Canon and they may also introduce the Cinema EOS C500 Mark II camcorder, replete with 8K video.

Patent Publication No. 2016-14816 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.1.28
• Filing date 2014.7.3
• Zoom ratio 3.00
• Focal length 24.00 48.00 72.00
• F-number 2.80 2.80 2.80
• Half angle of 32.94 17.95 12.19
• Image height 15.55 15.55 15.55
• The total lens length 241.06 241.06 241.06
• BF 49.16 49.16 49.16

Canon Cinema EOS C500 Mark II 8K Camera Coming

Canon showcased their 8K camera and display at the Canon Expo in September, 2015. The test camera is already out in the wild and the Cinema C500 Mark II camera will feature this new 8K technology. It may be released some time in the second half of 2016.

Frankly, I think this one-upmanship, number chasing game should stop. Nikon announced their D800 36MP camera in 2012. It was the megapixel champ at the time. Then Canon came out with the 50MP EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R cameras to retake the crown. Then a few days ago, Phase One announced a 100MP Medium Format camera. But Canon already has 120MP and 250MP sensors ready for the next round.

Sony started announcing 4K video and a7 mirrorless cameras back in 2013 and 2014. Now Nikon announced their top-of-the-line DSLRs, the 4K equipped D5 with a claimed ISO of 3.28 million. Of course, this is to chase (at least on paper) the remarkable Canon ME20F-SH camera that can see in the dark and shoot at over ISO 4 million plus.

Canon will respond with their EOS-1D X Mark II soon, perhaps in February. This silly game reminds me of the car manufacturers. One boasts their top-of-the-line sports car has 500 horsepower and does 0 to 60mph in 4.0 seconds, only to be 'eclipsed' by the next company's claim of a 525 horsepower car doing 0 to 60 in 3.89 seconds. The silly season of playing the numbers game by the marketing departments must end. Most photographers don't care, let alone need features like a 75MP sensor, ISO 3280000, 8K video, etc.

No one single number can make one piece of equipment superior to all the rest. In my opinion, in wildlife photography, a weather sealed camera with a full frame, mid 20MP sensor that can shoot in native ISO 12800 with little noise, an advanced AF system with all cross-type 75 focus points and 12 AF points @ f/8, plus a burst rate of 12 fps is adequate. Anything more than that is expensive hype. After all, the most important criterion for a successful shoot is - luck, skill and equipment, in that order.  

Visit Canon USA Interactive Booth at the CES 2016

MELVILLE, N.Y. — At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV January 6-9, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will challenge attendees to see the impossible at booth #13106 in the Central Hall. Canon’s booth will feature a Canon 8K Ride Experience where attendees can see the future of visual imaging and experience, firsthand, the physical and emotional reactions that take place when an 8K video projected on a large screen simulates a physical journey. There will also be an 8K Photo Gallery that displays precise moments from an 8K video. The Canon booth itself will be composed of three environments simulating a home, an office, and a professional studio. Within each zone Canon will offer hands-on demonstrations of current real-world imaging solutions for attendees to experience themselves.

“We believe there really is only one way for our valued customers and users to truly understand and embody Canon See Impossible and that is through seeing and experiencing real life examples of how Canon digital imaging solutions can impact their daily lives on both a professional and personal level,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are excited for attendees to experience these solutions at our CES 2016 booth as well as have them enjoy the unique Canon 8K Ride Experience, which will be new to most attendees.”

Introduced at Canon EXPO, held this past September in NYC, this 8K Ride Experience projects 8K video on large screens surrounding viewers to give them a unique sense of movement while sitting or standing still. By experiencing imagery from all angles, the technology can simulate a physical journey often sparking a physical or emotional reaction.

In the home environment attendees can experience the power of an image as photo enthusiasts, crafters, and artists will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on demonstrations using Canon cameras and lenses to create different perspectives and print the images captured on Canon PIXMA printers. The office environment will allow visitors to see a smarter workplace showing how Canon products work together to streamline daily activities in a real-world office setting. The future of creativity can be seen as Canon invites visitors to step into a professional studio environment and experience a day in the life of a photographer or videographer. Speakers and demonstrations will feature the full range of Canon imaging products and how they meet the needs of today’s creative image makers.

At the booth’s center, attendees can navigate up the Canon Lens Tower, which showcases large and long-zoom lenses from Canon’s line of more than 103 Canon EF Series lenses as well as Canon’s innovative CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm lens capable of shooting brilliant 4K video at up to 1500mm with its built-in 1.5x extender. The tower will offer a unique and innovative 360 degree visual perspective of the CES show floor. Visitors are also encouraged to browse Canon’s photo gallery featuring images captured with Canon EOS DSLR and PowerShot cameras and printed on Canon imagePROGRAF and PIXMA PRO inkjet printers including the new imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 printer. Canon service and support technicians will be on hand to answer questions via live chat as well as demonstrate Canon Maintenance Service live in the booth.

Visit Canon at CES 2016 Booth #13106 in the Central Hall to view all three unique environments, see first-hand the latest products and the enjoy the 8K Ride Experience and 8K Photo Gallery. Follow Canon throughout the show on Instagram at @CanonUSA and Twitter at @CanonUSAimaging. Use #CanonCES to join the conversation.

Canon EXPO 2015 New York Interactive Website

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 17, 2015 – Although Canon EXPO 2015 New York may be over, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that it will extend the excitement to those unable to attend, via the first-ever virtual tour on the Canon EXPO Website. This site will provide rich online content that recaps being at the company’s five years in the making EXPO, recently held September 10-11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Revealing Canon’s vision into the future of imaging technology, Canon EXPO 2015 New York featured more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, showcasing a combination of current and future Canon products and highlighted how powerful and innovative imaging technologies enhance homes, universities, businesses, hospitals, stadiums, movie sets and more.

Andy Slawetsky, with Industry Analysts, said of his first-hand experience at EXPO, “Canon is one of the largest annual patent recipients in the world and attending a show like this is just awesome. Technology everywhere. While I really only focus on a small part of Canon’s portfolio, it’s a treat to see everything they do under one roof.”

Visit the Canon EXPO website for a virtual tour including :

• The Stadium Zone, an impressive recreation of Yankee Stadium, where visitors can find information on the cameras and lenses professionals choose to capture the action and bring memorable events to life.
• The Imaging Journey Zone highlights the evolution of imaging including a 4K projector capable of 8K projection, under development, as well as museum quality printing technology.
• The Professional Printing Zone provides visitors with information on a range of large format printers including the Oc‚ Arizona Series flatbed printers, the Oc‚ varioPRINT i300, and the award-winning Canon imagePRESS C10000VP Digital Press, which sets a new quality benchmark in its class by delivering robust productivity of up-to-100 images per minute.
• The Home Zone allows visitors to experience modern home imaging solutions for the always-connected generation.
• The Enterprise Zone shows how Canon supports businesses worldwide and spotlights Canon’s new Rich Collaboration System, an innovative communication platform under development, allowing businesses to connect virtually to enhance communication.
• The Film Production Zone highlights new ways to help professional storytellers bring their visions to life. Cinematographers, videographers, photographers, production companies, broadcasters and networks can benefit from Canon innovations designed to achieve greater levels of depth, detail and dimension.
• The Customer Experience Zone provides access to information on Canon’s Live Learning programs, professional imaging services as well as its commitment to top-notch customer service.
• The University Zone demonstrates ultra-high zooming capabilities when utilizing a 250 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as optical technology behind the Subaru Telescope.
• The Advanced Industry Solutions Zone features a glimpse into Canon’s MREAL Solution demonstrations.

Canon EXPO will visit Paris and Tokyo later in 2015 and Shanghai in 2016. You can read an interview with Mr. Masaya Maeda, Canon’s Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive of Canon Inc’s Image Communication Products Operations, conducted during the Expo.

For more information visit : Expo2015NY.com/virtualtour

Canon EXPO 2015 in New York City, Day Two

The Canon Expo 2015 show is in its second day in New York City. Much has been written about
the Cinema EOS System 8K camera and a still-image single-lens reflex camera equipped with a CMOS sensor featuring approximately 120 million effective pixels.

Canon CinemaEOS 8K prototype camera with EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II lens 

I like to point out the Expo is, first and foremost, a dog-and-pony show, bringing together Canon's most powerful products, cutting-edge innovations and inspirational ideas for one incredible exhibition. It is basically a showcase to demonstrate how Canon strives to improve the lives of all who interact with their brand.

There are crazy rumors running around saying Canon might bring back the APS-H sensor with the 120MP count and put it in a new camera. Many of the prototype products demonstrated will not make it to the market or may come with different specs, if and when they do go on sale, years from now.

However, the most promising product exhibited is the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens, equipped with the brand new Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics technology. My readers know I am a big proponent of Diffractive Optics technology. The recently released EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II is my favorite Super Telephoto lens for hand-held, wildlife photography.  Even Nikon is trying to get on the bandwagon now by introducing their version, called Phase Fresnel. Unfortunately for them, they are over a decade too late. Canon is way ahead in this space. I am ready to buy this lens as soon as it is announced, hopefully late 2016.

Canon EF 600mm f/4 DO BR prototype lens

Canon Development Announcement - 8K Camera and Display, 120MP DSLR

Canon 8K camera at Canon EXPO 2015 show in NYC

* * *  Read the latest post on Canon's 120MP APH-S sensor camera  * * *

TOKYO, September 8, 2015 - Canon Inc. announced today that it is developing a Cinema EOS System 8K camera and professional-use 8K reference display that will support the production of next-generation 8K video content, along with a still-image single-lens reflex camera equipped with a CMOS sensor featuring approximately 120 million effective pixels. Through the Company’s proprietary imaging technologies, Canon provides still and video input and output devices that will contribute to the development of imaging culture.

Canon, as a leading company in the field of imaging technology, conducts research and development into devices designed to support cinema and video production with the aim of expanding the boundaries of visual expression. Through the further enhancement of the Cinema EOS System 8K camera and professional-use 8K reference display under development, Canon aims to contribute to smooth production workflows, facilitating not only the input and output of 8K video content, but also such processes as 8K to 4K down-conversion and 4K cropping.

The Cinema EOS System 8K camera being developed will be equipped with a Canon Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS sensor that makes possible high-resolution 8,192 x 4,320 pixel (approximately 35.39 million effective pixels) imaging performance even at a frame rate of 60 frames per second with 13 stops1 of dynamic range and a richly expressive wide color gamut. Additionally, featuring a body size that realizes outstanding mobility and a design that delivers high levels of operability, along with an EF mount that offers compatibility with Canon’s extensive interchangeable EF lens lineup,2 the camera will support diverse shooting styles and means of visual expression.

Incorporating Canon image-processing technology, the ultra-high-resolution 8K reference display currently under development will achieve high brightness, high contrast (high dynamic range) and a wide color gamut. Additionally, with a pixel density exceeding 300 pixels per inch, a level approaching the limit of human visibility, the display will make possible ultra-realistic imaging that enables the reproduction of subtle changes in light that were previously not possible. Furthermore, when used in combination with the Cinema EOS System 8K camera, the display will be capable of conveying truly impressive levels of visual expression.

Featuring a resolution of approximately 120 effective megapixels, the SLR camera now being developed will incorporate a Canon-developed high-pixel-density CMOS sensor within the current EOS-series platform, which will realize compatibility with the Company’s diverse interchangeable EF lens lineup.3 The high-resolution images that the camera will be capable of producing will recreate the three-dimensional texture, feel and presence of subjects, making them appear as if they are really before one’s eyes. The camera will facilitate a level of resolution that is more than sufficient for enlarged poster-sized printout while also enabling images to be cropped and trimmed without sacrificing image resolution and clarity.