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.

Hasselblad Offers Big Discounts On Cameras And Lens

Hasselblad H5D Medium Format camera

Medium Format photography is, at best, a niche under even the best of times and the MF manufacturers are going through some tough times right now. Not all of them will survive and even the Grand Daddy of them all, Hasselblad, has to get in the discount game big time.

The recently announced 40 MP Hasselblad H5D-40 is now selling for less than $10,000. $9,995 to be precise. The H5D-50 is selling for $23,500 and the H5D-60 sells for $34,500. That is a discount of thousands of dollars from their previous list price. Many Hasselblad lenses are selling for much less than before as well.

Canon Patent - New Sensor Technology

From a translated article, Egami, the Japanese photography website reported Canon has patented a process to expand the dynamic range of the pixels in a new kind of sensor by providing the high and low pixel transmittance. Other sensor manufacturers are using ND filters to increase the sensitivity of the sensor but Canon's new patent adds an attenuation film of polysilicon between the filter and the photodiode.

There is little doubt Canon is working hard on a new kind of sensor, perhaps to go with their planned introduction of the MegaPixel camera next year.

Patent Publication No. 2014-175553

• Published 2014.9.22
• Filing date 2013.3.11 

Canon patent

• Optical attenuation film is arranged by polysilicon over the photoelectric conversion portion
• Transmittance of light depends on the optical attenuation film is its thickness, thickness varies depending on the pixel
• Small pixel transmittance is, the opening area is small
• RGB any of the color filter
• Transmittance R

Canon EOS-5D Mk IV, EOS-1D X Mk II In First Half Of 2015

* * *  Canon EOS-5D Mk III replacement talk  * * *

The EOS-7D Mk II was announced on September 15 and replaced one of Canon's most successful cameras, the EOS-7D. You can read my review of the camera here.

The Canon EOS-1D X has been available for about two years now. I have picked this camera as the best DSLR body on the market two years in a row. Since its announcement, there has been many improvements in the world of high tech camera equipment - the DIGIC 6 processor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF system and newer sensor technology, just to name a few.

Canon has placed major emphasis on its Cinema EOS camera line. There were 'secret tests' a few months ago in a New York City film studio. The camera in question was a prototype Canon EOS-1D X Mk II, with a new type of sensor, creating files that are larger than the present EOS-1D X and similar in size to the EOS-5D Mk III but with superior colors and details.

The EOS-1D X is a favorite body for sports and wildlife photographers. I believe Canon wants to maintain the burst rate of the Mk II to at least equal the current EOS-1D X's 12 to 14 fps. If they can increase the size of the output file without having to increase the mega pixel of the sensor too much, this would be ideal for them.

If everything goes well, the EOS-1D X Mk II model may have a product development announcement some time in early 2015, with an official launch date in Q2. That would put the EOS-1D X's replacement cycle about three years after its first introduction. The EOS-5D Mk IV may be announced before or after the EOS-1D X Mk II. Right now the timetable is very fluid for both cameras. Do not forget there is also the MegaPixel Camera project on Canon's plate. There may be finally some movement in that direction in 2015. Keep checking back for the latest information and development.

Preliminary EOS-5D Mk IV camera specs :

• 30+MP full frame CMOS Sensor 
• Advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology
• One DIGIC 6+ processors
• Burst rate 6 fps 
• Dual Memory Card Slots ( CF )
• 65 AF points, all cross type
• EOS iTR Autofocus
• AF down to f/8 with center point
• 3.2″ LCD monitor with no touch screen capability
• 98-100% coverage viewfinder
• Magnesium alloy body with dust and weather resistance
• Shutter rated for 200,000 cycles
• Mic and headphone connectors
• ISO 50 - 51200, (204,800 in H2) 
• 1080p / 720p at 60 fps
• Built-in USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports
• New, more powerful battery and grip