Hasselblad May Be Acquired By DJI?

Is it in the works? DJI, the Chinese maker of the aerial drones, may be in the process of acquiring financially troubled Hasselblad, maker of medium format cameras, based in Sweden. Together, they announced a strategic partnership back in November 2015.

It is hardly a secret the few medium format camera manufacturers are on shaky ground. While sales in DSLR cameras are slipping in the last few years, medium format sales are suffering even worse.

This is hardly unprecedented. Chinese carmaker Geely acquired Swedish car manufacturer Volvo in 2010. Keep checking back for the latest info. 

Canon Confirms Mega Pixel DSLR Camera

Mr. Masaya Maeda - Senior Managing Director

* * *  Canon's full frame DSLR camera with 50+MP sensor is here  * * * 

During a wide ranging interview recently, Mr Masaya Maeda, Senior Managing Director of Canon Inc., in his own shadow boxing way, has basically confirmed the Mega Pixel camera will be coming some time in 2015. Reflecting on the down turn in sales for all the camera manufacturers in the past few years, he reiterated Canon's need to innovate and invest in research and development.

Reading the tea leaves is never easy, especially when it is Japanese tea but one gets the impression Canon, being the industry leader, will be second to none when it comes to keeping up with consumer trends and demands. Expect the mirrorless camera system to become a more important part of Canon's line up in the years ahead, and perhaps even Medium Format photography. Keep checking back for the latest news and development.

Canon MegaPixel Camera Coming In 2015

* * *  Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R megapixel cameras are here  * * *

This is probably the worst kept secret but it is all but certain now Canon will be announcing their megapixel camera next year. What is still unclear is what will it be known as. It is apparently not the replacement to the retired EOS-1Ds Mk III and therefore, may not be a EOS-1 series camera. Hope this is wrong. I like to see another EOS-1Ds model.

Once again, speculation has fallen on the name of EOS-3D. The new sensor will be in a range of 40 to 50MP and the list price will be higher than the EOS-5D Mk III, probably in the neighborhood of around $4,000 to $5,000, depending on the functions and features included in the production camera. Canon is apparently tired of Nikon and Sony hogging up the megapixel space. The camera I am more interested in is the EOS-1D X Mk II and it should be announced by the middle of 2015. Keep checking back for the latest information and news.

Canon Explores Entry Into Medium Format Photography

Canon is planning to make a BIG splash at Photokina 2014 on September 12 in Cologne, Germany. The EOS-7D Mk II camera and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens will be announced around the first week of September. Perhaps a couple of EF-S lenses in the 18-300mm zoom range may also be included to compete with the recent Tamron offerings.

However, rumor has it Nikon is planning to announce a Medium Format camera some time near Photokina 2014, using Sony's 50MP CMOS sensor, to try and steal the thunder from Canon. There is no secret many camera manufacturers are exploring the MF arena as a new possibility to bring some excitement to their product line. Canon is eyeing Medium Format cameras as well and has been sending out feelers to their 'core users' with questions concentrating on image quality, lens and usage requirements.

As a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for the last 25 years, I have made some observations and suggestions for my friends in Tokyo last year. Medium Format photography is, at best a niche product and should be left to much smaller companies. Canon should concentrate on their core business and make them even better.

MichaelDanielHo.com