Canon APS-C Mirrorless Camera Announcement In 2016

* * *  Canon EOS-M5 mirrorless camera coming  * * *

The EOS-5D Mark IV is Canon's most anticipated pro camera after the EOS-1D X Mark II because it promises a continuation of the highly successful EOS-5D line into a new decade. You can see the photos, expected specs plus the two EF lens that will be announced at the same time, in my earlier posts. 

Canon's announcements for 2016 is not over yet. There may be a new EOS-M camera coming before the end of the year. Perhaps just before the CES Show in Las Vegas on January 5, 2017. This will not be the full frame mirrorless model. Instead it will have the APS-C sensor. There will be a few new EF-M lens to go with the launch and I doubt the new camera will have 4K video.

Keep checking back for the latest info. I will update my readers as soon as I receive them.

Canon Patent - EF-M 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Canon EF-M lens for mirrorless cameras

Another Canon patent discovered by Egami. This time it is for a new EF-M 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, mated to the APS-C sensor. Canon is expected to come out with a higher end mirrorless camera before the end of the year together with more EF-M lens. I am also expecting a high end, full frame mirrorless camera coming, perhaps late this year or the early part of 2017

Patent Publication No. 2016-118658 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.6.30
• Filing date 2014.12.22
• Zoom ratio 2.88
• Focal length 16.51 21.00 47.49
• F-number 3.49 3.77 5.80
• Half angle of view (degrees) 39.61 33.04 16.05
• Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66
• Overall length of the lens 82.00 77.35 84.14
• BF 10.70 10.70 13.31

Canon Cameras and Lenses Coming 2nd Half of 2016

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV full frame DSLR camera

2016 will be a very busy year for Canon. The top-of-the-line EOS-1D X Mark II camera has now been delivered. I have taken it to the Upper Amazon and Peruvian Andes for a field test recently. In the past few months, I have reported many rumors and announcements expected to come this year.

Below is a recap of what to expect for the remainder of the year from Canon. I will be very busy with my global wildlife photography trips the next few months but will try my best to keep you up to date. Leaving for the high Arctic to test the EOS-1D X Mark II again next week. You can read my review of the camera, see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

What to expect from Canon for the remainder of 2016. More to come.

DSLR, Cinema and Mirrorless Cameras

• EOS-5D Mark IV camera. August announcement with shipping commencing soon after Photokina.
• Cinema EOS C700 camera and anamorphic lens coming around Photokina.
• A higher end, APS-C mirrorless camera. The full frame, 'pro' model is also coming but may be pushed back to early 2017.

EF Lenses

• EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II will be announced with the EOS-5D Mark IV
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III is coming very soon
• EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II is coming in Q3 

Canon and Nikon Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras Coming

Things are about to heat up in the mirrorless camera world. For the last few years, Sony has been garnering most of the attention with their mirrorless cameras, especially the A7 series of models.

I have reported earlier Canon is finally getting serious about their mirrorless line and will offer more cameras and lens this year, perhaps including a full frame model to compete with Sony and the Leica SL. Now it seems Nikon is planning to do the same. The game plan seems to differentiate the line between a prosumer and a 'professional' model. Expect late August or early September to be the targeted month for any announcement. This is to tie in with the big Photokina Show taking place in Cologne, Germany on September 20, 2016

Canon Patent - EF-M 15-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon EF-M mirrorless lens lineup

I have just returned from my Upper Amazon/Peruvian Highlands Photo Tour testing the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera in hot, steamy jungles and cold, two miles plus high, Andean mountains. Overall, I am quite impressed by the new body but now I have to take some time to get back to the daily routine, process the photos and get ready for my next trip to again test the camera in a whole new part of the world and environment.

Last month, I have reported on Canon's latest plans with their mirrorless camera line. Now, Egami has uncovered another new patent for an additional EF-M 15-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens design. It may be announced before the year is up, perhaps together with the new mirrorless camera(s).

Patent Publication No. 2016-75742 (Google translated)

• Published 2016.5.12
• Filing date 2014.10.3
• Zoom ratio 2.94
• Focal length 16.00 27.43 47.04
• F-number 3.62 4.50 5.82
• Half angle of view (degrees) 37.55 26.47 16.19
• Image height 12.30 13.66 13.66
• Overall length of the lens 78.86 74.05 77.88
• BF 20.48 27.14 37.06

Canon Patent - EF and EF-M 50-300mm f/4.5-5.6 STM Lens

A new Canon patent for the EF-M 50-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO lens has been discovered. This design can fit both EF-M and EF-S mounts. In addition, recent Canon patents for EF-M cameras include EF-M 9-18mm f/3.5-4.5 STM and EF-M 16-80mm f/2.6 lens.

Patent Publication No. 2016-57444 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.4.21
• Filing date 2014.9.9

Example 1

• Zoom ratio 5.59
• Focal length 51.77 135.00 289.53
• F-number 4.65 5.05 5.85
• Half angle of view (degrees) 14.78 5.78 2.70
• Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66
• The total lens length 126.05 169.37 184.15
• BF 35.50 35.50 35.50

Example 2

• Zoom ratio 5.90
• Focal length 49.13 135.00 290.00
• F-number 4.65 4.95 5.85
• Half angle of view (degrees) 15.54 5.78 2.70
• Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66
• The total lens length 108.00 152.12 168.00
• BF 15.69 15.69 15.69

Canon Patent - EF-M 9-18mm f/3.5-4.5 STM Lens

I have just returned from a rather successful wildlife photo trip to India. Witnessed two tiger kills from beginning to end on a Spotted and Sambar Deer plus Elephants and Monkeys mating, in addition to many new bird species for me. Trying to get back to writing my blog and catching up with the latest photography and NAB 2016 news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Spring and Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Egami discovered another new Canon patent for a EF-M 9-18mm f/3.5-4.5 STM Ultra Wide lens. I expect Canon to announce a new prosumer EOS-M mirrorless camera and more EF-M prime and medium zoom lens later this year.

Patent Publication No. 2016-54371 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.4.14
• Filing date 2014.9.3
• Zoom ratio 1.90
• Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
• Focal length 9.22 14.05 17.50
• F-number 3.39 4.04 4.63
• Half angle of view (degrees) 53.07 44.12 37.91
• Image height 12.27 13.63 13.63
• Overall length of the lens 89.68 83.60 86.84
• BF 14.22 15.78 16.00

Canon Patent - EF-M 16-80mm f/2.6 Lens

I have just returned from a rather successful wildlife photo trip to India. Witnessed two tiger kills from beginning to end on a Spotted and Sambar Deer plus Elephants and Monkeys mating, in addition to many new bird species for me. Trying to get back to writing my blog and catching up with the latest photography and NAB 2016 news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Spring and Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

A new Canon patent for the EF-M 16-80mm f/2.6 lens has surfaced. Canon will be announcing more EF-M lens this year together with a new prosumer mirrorless camera and more prime and medium zoom glass.

Patent Publication No. 2016-51137 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.4.11
• Filing date 2014.9.2
• Zoom ratio 4.71
• Focal length 16.09 41.83 75.78
• F-number 2.07 5.15 6.00
• Half angle of view (degrees) 36.26 18.01 10.17
• Image height 11.80 13.60 13.60
• The total lens length 100.68 110.04 120.89
• BF 15.19 27.94 26.84

Canon's Latest Plans for Their Mirrorless Camera Line

I have just returned from a rather successful wildlife photo trip to India. Witnessed two tiger kills from beginning to end on a Spotted and Sambar Deer plus Elephants and Monkeys mating, in addition to many new bird species for me. Trying to get back to writing my blog and catching up with the latest photography and NAB 2016 news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Spring and Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

It is no surprise that Canon will be announcing new mirrorless cameras this year. I have written about Canon's plans to finally get serious about their mirrorless camera line in the last few months. The first camera, EOS-M4 will be a replacement to the somewhat successful EOS-M3, released on February 2015 but was only available to the North American market in Q4 of last year. The new body may use the same sensor as the recently announced EOS-80D camera.

The second body could be the long awaited, prosumer mirrorless camera. It may carry a brand new 24MP sensor and finally use the EF line of lens without an adapter. There will be a few new EF-M lens coming this year, mostly in the prime and medium zoom focal lengths.

Latest Info on Canon EOS-6D Mark II Camera

I have just returned from a rather successful wildlife photo trip to India. Witnessed two tiger kills from beginning to end on a Spotted and Sambar Deer plus Elephants and Monkeys mating, in addition to many new bird species for me. Trying to get back to writing my blog and catching up with the latest photography and NAB 2016 news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Spring and Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com


My sources informed me the entry level, Canon EOS-6D Mark II full frame camera will be announced Q1, 2017 with a delivery date of Q2. It may share the same sensor as the EOS-5D Mark IV but it's too early to tell right now.

Canon has its hands full with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II starting to deliver in volume late this month. Then the EOS-5D Mark IV will be announced around August, with a Q4 delivery date. The EOS-6D Mark II and EOS-M4 will be a 2017 story. Keep checking back for the latest info as I get them.

Canon Prosumer Mirrorless Camera With 4K Video Coming

* * *  See how Sony mirrorless cameras stack up against Canon DSLRs  * * *

I have been reporting for some time now Canon's plans to finally get serious about their mirrorless camera line. It is no secret that Sony is ahead of Canon in this field but may not be for too much longer. Even Leica has introduced a full frame mirrorless camera last year, ahead of Canon.

My sources told me Canon will announce the EOS-M4 camera first and then the higher end, full frame mirrorless camera with 4K video some time in the second half of 2016, perhaps around the big Photokina Show in Cologne, Germany in August. This should not be a surprise to most people since Canon has been quite 'vocal' about their ambition since last year.

Canon Comments On Their High End Mirrorless Camera Plans

* * *  See how Sony mirrorless cameras stack up against Canon DSLRs  * * *

Sony is the company with the most success in mirrorless cameras in the last few years, especially their a7 Series of full frame models. However, it is fanciful to think mirrorless cameras will threaten or even replace DSLR cameras any time soon but Canon is also working on their own full frame models.

Having been late a late comer to the mirrorless segment, the Canon EOS-M line has met with limited success, although it has been selling much better in Asia than other parts of the globe. At a recent interview with DPReview during the CP+ Show in Yokohama, Japan, a senior Canon executive commented on the progress of their high end mirrorless camera project. Below is an excerpt of the interview. Click here to read the rest of the conversation.


Q: Dual Pixel AF is a technology which has huge potential for mirrorless cameras. A lot of our readers are still very hopeful for future Canon enthusiast mirrorless models. Is there anything that you would like to say to them?

A: Obviously I can’t be particularly concrete when talking about our future product planning, but this is something that we are looking at. Something that is under consideration. There are some features, such as AF, which have not yet caught up with DSLRs, so given the current state of affairs it would be a little unrealistic to say that we will suddenly start offering a professional mirrorless camera. There’s still a performance gap that needs to be addressed.

Q: If we assume that at some point in the future Canon will create an enthusiast or professional mirrorless camera, what are your benchmarks?

A: This is just my personal opinion. In my view there are two key features that have to be addressed. The first is autofocus, particularly tracking of moving subjects. The other is the viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder would have to offer a certain standard. If those two functions were to match the performance of EOS DSLR camera performance, we might make the switch.

Sigma Announces Two sd Quattro Mirrorless Cameras

Sigma sd Quattro mirrorless camera

Sigma sd Quattro and sd Quattro H mirrorless cameras

KANAGAWA, JAPAN - February 23, 2016 - Sigma Corporation of America, a leading camera, DSLR lens, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced the new high-performance, compact Sigma sd Quattro and Sigma sd Quattro H mirrorless camera systems with Foveon Quattro sensors. The Sigma sd Quattro features an APS-C sized sensor and the Sigma sd Quattro H touting a larger APS-H sized sensor for even greater image quality. Thanks to the mirrorless aspect of the cameras, both the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H are designed to take full advantage of all Sigma Global Vision lenses.

“With the introduction of these two new cameras, Sigma continues its rich history of innovation. The Foveon sensor is renowned for its imaging characteristics, and the mirrorless interchangeable format offers photographers the full line of Sigma Global Vision lenses to help realize their creative visions,” stated Mark Amir-Hamzeh, President of Sigma Corporation of America. “The sharpness of detail and nuanced color tone captured by the Foveon sensors is a key component of Sigma Global Vision.

The sd Quattro, and the sd Quattro H, with the newly announced Foveon Quattro APS-H sensor, will be greatly appreciated by photographers who demand the utmost in imaging purity, with the added benefit of portability for both in-studio and on-location photography.”

Both the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H feature similar design aspects with a compact form consistent with the dp Quattro line, making them highly portable and utilizing the Foveon Quattro sensor for exceptional imaging quality and fast processing. A magnesium alloy body makes the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H durable and rugged, while a dust- and splash-proof design makes it ideal for photographers facing harsh conditions.

In addition to the new body design, both cameras boast a list of useful advancements. These include a two-mode Autofocus detection that combines Phase Detection for focus speed and Contrast Detection for focus accuracy. The focus settings have also been enhanced with such modes as Movement Prediction, Face Detection, Free Movement, Focus Peaking and a variety of others. The new 2.3 megapixel viewfinder displays close to 100% of the field of view and when placed in “Auto” will toggle between the viewfinder when the user has the camera to their eye and then to the LCD when the user lowers the camera.

A new “Super-Fine Detail” mode brings out the full potential of the Quattro sensor by capturing seven different exposures with one shot and merging them for exceptional dynamic range (images can be extracted individually as well). Meanwhile an updated algorithm for the Auto White Balance allows for greater accuracy, even with multiple light sources.

While the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H are similar in physical design details, they stand apart when their Foveon sensors are compared. The sd Quattro utilizes the same sensor found in the dp Quattro line and produces image quality comparable to that of a 39 megapixel Bayer-pattern sensor on resolution testing.

The stacked silicon Foveon Direct Imaging sensor captures all detail information on the top 19.6 megapixel layer along with all color information for the Blue channel, while the two five-megapixel layers below capture Red and Green color information, all without the need for a low pass filter. Merged together they create incredible image quality that is comparable to medium format files. The sd Quattro H boasts a larger APS-H sensor (26.6x17.9mm) than the sd Quattro and can produce images equivalent to that of a 51-megapixel Bayer-pattern sensor camera on resolution testing.

The sensor structure is similar to that of the sd Quattro but uses a 25.5 megapixels on the top layer of the sensor that captures the detail information. Both cameras use the latest Dual TRUE III image processor and take full advantage of the Art, Contemporary and Sport line Global Vision lenses that are made for high megapixel cameras. Like all Sigma Cameras, RAW (X3F) data can processed via Sigma Photo Pro, which offers editing options, including Monochrome mode to take advantage of the incredible monochrome images the Foveon sensor captures.

Canon To Finally Get Serious About Mirrorless Cameras

I am back from my Patagonia Photo Tour. Will take some time for me to get re-organized and look through my photos. Trying to get back to my blog and keeping my readers up to date on the photography world. Now that the EOS-1D X Mark II camera has been announced, Canon may be finally getting serious about their mirrorless line. I have reported last month Canon is working on a full frame mirrorless camera.

During an interview with ASCII.jp, Canon executive Yagi Koichi made this comment on the future plans for the EOS-M line (Google translated) :

“In the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2015, we have been able to ship a lot of mirror-less the number of cameras, not yet satisfied by For. At present new products, but mention can not be, the third quarter in 2016, towards the fourth quarter and that the “mirror-less market is forecast to grow, Canon’s share of the” mirror-less camera market and two years ago the 4-position, we want to aim at the 3-position."

Translation - Canon is tired of letting Sony be the 'One and Only'. There is an even chance they may introduce a prosumer camera some time in 2016 and finally provide their mirrorless camera line the attention and resources it takes to catch up to Sony and give them a real challenge. There is a chance Canon may drop some hint about their mirrorless plans during the upcoming CP+ Show on February 25 in Yokohama, Japan. More to come. Stay tuned . . . . .  

Canon May Announce EOS-M Camera and EF-M Lens at CP+ Show

There is a chance Canon may announce a prosumer EOS-M camera and a few EF-M lens during the 2016 CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in February in Japan. There is no secret Canon is not leading the mirrorless camera race at this time. They have concluded the mirrorless camera space is an area Canon will devote more resources to in 2016.

In addition, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera may make an appearance at the CP+ Show as well but I suspect the long awaited camera may be introduced at a stand alone event. Keep checking back. More to come . . . . . 

Canon EOS-M System and Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

Canon is expected to announce the EOS-M4 mirrorless camera and at least two EF-M prime lens some time in the first half of 2016 to beef up their mirrorless product line. This will not be enough to make them a leading player in this space.

When the EOS-M mirrorless camera was introduced in 2012, it was the 'laughing stock' of the mirrorless world. The AF was slow and the camera, 'rudimentary', because Canon was simply not ready for this new technology and was trying to play catch up, in a hurry.

Although Canon's mirrorless cameras are selling quite well in Asia and Japan, they are mostly lower end models and bring in little profits. They need to go upmarket and take a leaf from Sony and most recently, Leica. Canon is a big conservative conglomerate and operates at a glacial speed. They rarely aim to be first to bring 'revolutionary' technology to market but try to be best in their space, albeit coming from behind.

Canon is also working on a full frame mirrorless camera. Since they are already 'behind' in this segment, their next full frame mirrorless camera needs to be bold and different. I am a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for over 25 years and have followed the company since my first EOS-1 purchase in 1989. My advice to them is bring out a top-of-the-line, full frame mirrorless camera with the EF mount as soon as possible. The new camera must come with a brand new sensor, advanced AF performance, an electronic viewfinder, best in class video performance with pro build quality and ergonomics. It will be a tall order but something well within Canon's capability and technology to manufacture. I think many serious photographers are willing to pay thousands of dollars to see such a camera built. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com.

The fear that a full frame mirrorless camera may 'cannabilize' on Canon's existing full frame DSLR models is overblown. For example, all major luxury car brands have both expensive gasoline and alternative fuel powered models in their lineup. Many professional photographers, including myself, will buy a high end mirrorless camera in addition to their current DSLR equipment, provided it meets the requirements.

In the next few months, Canon is expected to announce more EF lens, the long awaited EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS-5D Mark IV cameras. Although Canon reported less than stellar third quarter financial results recently, they are hardly unique and the company is still profitable and healthy. Management needs to make bolder decisions faster and lead their competitors for a change.   

Canon Patent - EF-M 600mm f/5.6 DO IS Lens

The Japanese photography site Egami uncovered another new Canon patent, the EF-M 600mm f/5.6 DO IS. I am quite comfortable in predicting this patent will most probably never make it to market as is. The thought of a 600mm DO lens mounted on the EOS-M camera can only bring ridicule but it may be modified to fit the future Canon full frame mirrorless camera.

This is clearly Canon's way of staking out their intellectual property by patenting this invention. The current EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II is my favorite Diffractive Optics lens for wildlife photography but there is a chance the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens might join its smaller brother next year.

Patent Publication No. 2015-215437

•     Published 2015.12.3
•     Filing date 2014.5.9
•     Focal length 585.00
•     F-number 5.74
•     Half angle (in degrees) 1.34
•     Image height 13.66
•     Overall length of the lens 299.25

Market Share of Interchangeable Lens Camera Manufacturers

Sony has been on a roll lately with their sensor manufacturing business and they have a lead in full frame mirrorless cameras as well. Their Alpha 7 line of cameras received some good reviews. Leica recently announced their full frame SL mirrorless camera to join the competition. I reported in my earlier post Samsung had ceased their camera operations in both Germany and the United Kingdom. They are in the process of exiting other countries as well.

The camera sales chart above was prepared by Nikkei Asian Review. It shows the market share of interchangeable-lens camera sales in 2014. Canon had 43.3%, Nikon had 32.1%, Sony had 13%, and the remaining companies accounted for the rest. Nikon lost 2.5% share to Sony and other smaller companies compared to one year ago but Canon basically held steady.

The article below from Nikkei Asian Review analyzed how Sony changed strategy and managed to get ahead of the competition in the mirrorless space. Nikon is trying to play catch up by perhaps buying Samsung's mirrorless business while Canon is working on its own full frame mirrorless camera and may introduce it some time in 2016..


TOKYO -- The once-mighty Sony is looking for salvation in digital cameras and other imaging products. But with the electronics market maturing and its business model losing effectiveness, the Japanese company faces a tough road to recovery. 

At Foto Meyer, a camera shop in Berlin, customers are often seen carefully examining interchangeable-lens cameras and turning to shop clerks for advice. They are mostly interested in mirrorless cameras, which account for 60% of the shop's sales, according to an employee there.

Mirrorless cameras are small, light and have an interchangeable lens that does not have a mirror reflex optical viewfinder. The first model was developed by Japan's Panasonic in 2008. Sony introduced its own version in 2010. But the cameras did not fare particularly well against single-lens reflex cameras. This was especially the case in the U.S. and Europe.

But that has changed in a big way. According to one industry group estimate, Germany's mirrorless camera market is expected to grow about 150% by volume in 2015 compared with 2012, while the U.S. market is seen expanding 80%. Much of this consumer "awakening" to the allure of mirrorless cameras has been attributed to Sony.

The arrival of a Sony mirrorless model with a full-frame image sensor had a big impact on the market, said Rainer Martin, president of Fotomax, a major German camera distributor.

Existential Crisis

Full-frame cameras use a large image sensor equivalent in size  to that used for conventional 35mm cameras. High-end cameras for serious amateurs and professionals are usually full-frame. Full-frame is synonymous with high-resolution, and consumers are hungry for it, Martin said. In 2013, Sony introduced the full-frame mirrorless Alpha 7 series, completely changing the image of mirrorless cameras, which were generally seen as the lesser cousin of SLRs.

Sony began developing the Alpha 7 series in 2012 out of fear that the company "could be weeded out," Executive Vice President Shigeki Ishizuka said, looking back at that time. Ishizuka oversees Sony's imaging products and solutions business. After the company entered the mirrorless market, there was "a sense of stagnation" because the consumer transition away from traditional camera makers, such as Japan's Canon and Nikon, did not occur as smoothly as Sony had hoped, he said.

Adding to the difficulties was the rapid contraction of the digital camera market due to the growing popularity of smartphones. Sony decided to shift its focus to a different target. "We concluded that a market for professionals definitely exists," said Kimio Maki, senior general manager of the digital imaging business group.

"If we don't conquer the market for sophisticated amateurs and professionals, we will never become professionals ourselves," Ishizuka said. He decided to funnel a large chunk of the company's resources into developing full-frame cameras. "We learned that people won't buy our products unless we improve our brand," Ishizuka said.

In the two years through October, Sony's share of the full-frame camera market is estimated to have surged by about 400% in Germany and about 600% in the U.S.

The success of the Alpha 7 owes much to the shift in Sony's focus. "We had nothing to lose, which allowed us to take risks," Ishizuka said.

As a late entrant, Sony was wise to spot a niche in a market mostly dominated by established players like Canon and Nikon. Their business depended on a solid customer base built up over years, selling as many cameras as possible and making profits on high-margin interchangeable lenses. Sony found that the companies' loyalty-based approach to marketing prevented them from focusing on developing full-frame mirrorless cameras.

In its medium-term strategy for the three years from fiscal 2015, Sony prioritizes the imaging business for generating steady profits and a positive cash flow. It expects sales in the segment to hold steady at around 720 billion yen ($5.82 billion) in the current fiscal year ending in March 2016, and targets an operating profit of 58 billion yen. Though that would represent a 40 billion yen drop in sales from the 2011 level, it would be a threefold jump in operating profit. Crucially, profit margins for Sony's imaging business are higher than for its TV operations, which only recently returned to the black. The imaging business could become one of the company's leading electronics operations.

Still, Sony has a long way to go to match the likes of Canon and Nikon. U.S. market research company IDC estimates that Canon controls 43% of the global market for interchangeable-lens cameras by volume, with Nikon holding 32% and Sony just 13%. Although Sony prioritizes profitability over volume, stable growth requires a certain degree of scale.

While Sony has built up a winner with mirrorless cameras, it has found itself outmaneuvered in video cameras. GoPro of the U.S., for example, invented a wearable camera by drastically shrinking a conventional video camera, ending Sony's dominance in that corner of the market. The rise of smartphones, with their ever-improving cameras, is also a threat.

In the fast-changing market for digital cameras, companies seeking an edge need to find ways to make their products stand out. Sony must keep this in mind if it wants to make the mirrorless segment a cash cow.

Black Friday Deal - Canon EOS-M3 Bundle $429

Canon EOS-M3 mirrorless camera with EF-M 18-55mm lens

There is a highly-rated merchant on eBay selling the Canon EOS-M3 mirrorless camera bundle for $429 including free shipping. The bundle includes the camera plus a 32GB memory card and reader, wireless shutter release, carrying bag, etc.

As you know, Canon had a slow start with their mirrorless cameras and the EOS-M3 is their latest version and was not even available in North America until recently. Although the EOS-M3 can use all EF lens with the addition of an adapter, there will be more EF-M lens coming in 2016 to beef up the current lineup. Canon also announced a smaller mirrorless camera called the EOS-M10 last month.

You will not find a link to this eBay item because I do not accept any advertisement or commissioned link on my Blog or website. I am completely unbiased in my reporting, have no conflict of interest and do not endorse any particular company. Find this listing on eBay yourself easily.  You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com


Canon EOS-M3 Main Features :

•     24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
•     DIGIC 6 Image Processor
•     3.0 inch 1.04M pixel Touchscreen Tilting LCD
•     Full HD 1080p Video at 24/25/30 fps
•     Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
•     Hybrid CMOS AF System with 49 AF Points
•     ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
•     Hot Shoe and Built-In Flash
•     3.5mm Stereo Mic Input
•     Full Manual Control

Canon Working On Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras

* * *  Read the latest post on Canon's full frame mirrorless camera plans  * * *

As reported yesterday, Canon's Inc. third quarter profits were less than stellar. This morning, the rumor mills are buzzing about Canon working on a full frame mirrorless camera. Hardly an earth-shattering news and this is what I have called for in the past.

There are no specific time frame on this but Canon must not wait too long and get serious about this 'new' segment of the market. The mirrorless space is growing and Canon is already behind some of their competitors. The new camera must do away with any adapter and comes with the EF mount. Bring out a prosumer and professional mirrorless camera with similar features, functions, size and shape to the current full sized DSLRs and they will leap frog their competitors like Sony and Leica.  

Photographers like myself who own Canon's top-of-the-line DSLRs have resisted buying mirrorless cameras like the Sony a7RII because they simply do not feel right in the hand. The new camera is packed with 'fluffy' features that seems to appeal more to 'technology chasers' than pure photographers. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com