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 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'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.

Canon #1 In DSLR and Compact Camera Sales 13 Years Straight

TOKYO, March 29, 2016 - Canon Inc. announced today that the Company’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras) have maintained the No. 1 share of the global market for 13 consecutive years from 2003 to 2015.

Canon, which develops the key components featured in its interchangeable-lens cameras - the CMOS image sensors, image processors and interchangeable lenses - employs these cutting-edge technologies across its entire product lineup, from entry-level models to professional-use flagship cameras. Through its robust product lineup that effectively responds to the needs of a wide range of users, Canon has continuously secured the top global share within the industry.

In 2003, the dawn of digital SLR cameras, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D Digital in other regions). This groundbreaking camera, which was competitively priced and featured a compact, lightweight design, captured the top share of the global market and set the stage for growth in the digital SLR market. Since that time, Canon has continued to launch a range of epoch-making products, including the professional-model EOS-1D series and the EOS 5D series which, equipped with a 35 mm full-frame sensor, paved the way for digital SLR video recording.

During 2015, Canon introduced an impressive lineup of new interchangeable-lens camera products that supported the Company’s achievement of a 13th consecutive year at the top of the global market. In June, the Company released the EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R digital SLR cameras, which realize the world’s highest pixel count with approximately 50.6-megapixel resolution; while in April the EOS 8000D (EOS Rebel T6s or EOS 760D) and EOS Kiss X8i (EOS Rebel T6i or EOS 750D) digital SLR cameras were released. Also, in March, Canon launched the EOS M3 compact-system camera.

Additionally, further bolstering Canon’s product lineup designed to meet the specific needs of a diverse user base, the Company announced in February this year the introduction of the EOS-1D X Mark II, capable of high-speed 14 frame-per-second continuous shooting, and the EOS 80D, which combines full-fledged still image-capture performance with exceptional movie-shooting operability. Also, the extensive EF lens-series lineup, production of which surpassed the 110 million unit mark in June 2015, currently comprises a total of 98 models and represents one of Canon’s biggest strengths, supporting the EOS series by enabling a wide array of shooting possibilities and rich expressive capabilities.

Through the further refining of its diverse imaging technologies, based on the Company’s core optical technologies, Canon will continue striving to create attractive and reliable products aimed at contributing to expanding the culture of photographic and video imaging.

Sony Mirrorless Cameras vs Canon and Nikon DSLRs

On paper, Sony cameras offer a lot of bells and whistles. Their mirrorless cameras look especially 'impressive'. Once you brush aside the specs and features and dig a little deeper, you won't find too many photographers making a living using Sony cameras full time. There is a good reason for that. Just go to any major sporting events or take a wildlife photography photo shoot around the globe and you will see what I mean.

Many people don't realize committing to a camera brand is just the beginning of a major decision for those who are serious about photography. When I travel around the globe for wildlife photo shoots, a good camera company must be able to stand behind its products with responsive maintenance and repair service worldwide. This is where the major brands like Canon and Nikon stand out among the others. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR vs Smartphone Cameras

Canon EOS Rebel T6 entry level DSLR camera

Canon announced the EOS Rebel T6 camera today. Sample photos taken with the camera can be seen on Canon Japan's website. The article below from Canon Digital Learning Center points out the advantages of a DSLR vs Smartphone in taking photos.

Frankly, it is obvious to a thinking person that a smartphone or mirrorless camera is unlikely to replace a DSLR body for most photographers in the foreseeable future. But what camera manufacturers have to contend with is the smartphone's versatility and customers' willingness to compromise on photo quality to gain the extra convenience of carrying an all-in-one gadget.

However, one may not have to choose between the two because one can get the best of both worlds. When I go on travel and wildlife photography photo shoots, my smartphone goes into my equipment bag as well. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com


It’s entirely true that many casual amateurs and even a few experienced photographers regularly shoot pictures with their smartphones, because they’re handy, and the images are “good enough.” For some, they’ll never feel the need to move past the imaging threshold of shooting selfies to post on social media sites.

But even the most casual of these users knows in his or her heart that the photographic world extends far beyond what’s possible with a smartphone. And some of these users are ready to make that move to their first interchangeable lens SLR, knowing that the investment will reward them with superior images, and lifelong potential with interchangeable lens access. Canon’s EOS Rebel models are the point of entry for many of these new users, and Canon’s latest Rebel entry — the EOS Rebel T6 — is perhaps better-suited for these users than any previous Rebel models.

What does stepping-up to a digital SLR bring me that I can’t get with a smartphone?
A perfectly valid question, and even if you already are a digital SLR enthusiast, this is a question newcomers may ask of you. While you can’t simply put your EOS Rebel into a shirt pocket, in exchange for its added size, it brings numerous advantages:

Vastly superior imaging sensor 

The 18 million pixel CMOS sensor in the EOS Rebel T6 is about 25 times the size* of the sensor in many smartphones. You may look at a smartphone’s specs and see pixel resolution numbers approaching or even exceeding the Rebel T6’s 18 million pixels.  But with each pixel much larger than a smartphone’s, the digital SLR’s light gathering capability, and ability to record good detail in bright areas and shadows, are absolutely better. 

* Rebel T6 image sensor 22.3 x 14.9mm; typical smartphone image sensor 3.4 x 4.5mm in overall size

Two Rebel T6 capabilities on display here : its ability to record excellent detail in low light (ISO 6400 in this shot), and the ultra wide-angle capability offered by the accessory EF-S 10-18mm STM lens. Fine detail, as well as texture and detail in bright highlights and dark shadows, are some of the areas where stepping-up to a digital SLR will “raise your game” compared to what’s possible with today’s smartphones.

Markedly better low-light shooting capability

Not every picture the casual shooter takes is in daylight, or with flash. The ability to record great images in low-light, without flash, is where the digital SLR truly shows the benefits of that large imaging sensor.  This can be true whether the image is a darkened city street scene, or action shots at an indoor sporting event.

Telephoto lens capability

This is an enormous area of potential that’s opened up when users turn to a digital SLR camera.  As compact and convenient as smartphones are, their lenses usually are fixed at a semi wide-angle setting (OK for small groups of people, much less than OK when you want to zero-in on a distant subject).  No “digital zooming” is required with an EOS Rebel T6 to bring in more distant subjects, or to take powerful images of your kids playing sports.  The Rebel T6 offers full access to Canon’s EF and EF-S lens system — the world’s largest, with over 70 interchangeable lens choices.

There’s no comparison: when you want to get in close, a digital SLR’s telephoto options make it far easier to get the shot you want. Here, you can see the differences in a shot taken with a popular smartphone, vs. a Rebel T6 shot, in Sports Mode, using a zoom lens at a modest 110mm telephoto setting.

Easy to pleasantly blur backgrounds (Bokeh)

Compare the two shots below — one taken with the Rebel T6 at 50mm (right), with the lens at f/4, and the other with a popular smartphone at its semi wide-angle setting (left). The slight tele perspective and blurred background in the Rebel T6 shot combine for a pleasant portrait, while the smartphone image really looks like a snapshot.  And it’s no accident that the skin tones in the DSLR shot, as well as the rendering of shadows, are markedly superior to what a smartphone can produce.

Photographic control whenever you want it

The EOS Rebel T6 has virtually all the same shooting modes and features as Canon’s sophisticated, high-end DSLRs.  So while first-time users will frequently use the camera in the full-auto “green zone” mode, it’s easy to dial in the shooting control and even picture effects you want… without having to download and access separate “apps.”  Any form of operation from fully automatic to complete manual control is right on the camera’s Mode Dial.  If you, or someone you know, enjoys shooting pictures, these features and their imaging potential are strong reasons to consider stepping up from a smartphone and moving into a digital SLR.

When you want to start making your own photographic settings, it’s easy with a digital SLR. Here, the Rebel T6 and its AF system, an optional accessory EF-S 55-250mm STM zoom lens, combined with a fast 1/4000th second shutter speed, produced a dramatic action image. The EOS Rebel T6 can shoot continuously at up to 3 frames per second, at full resolution.

Where does the new EOS Rebel T6 stand in the Rebel series?

The EOS Rebel T6 is the true entry-level model in Canon’s EOS Rebel series.  It sits as the most affordable camera in the current EOS Rebel line-up, as of early 2016:

EOS Rebel T6s — targeting the camera enthusiast 

Highest-spec (and most expensive) model in EOS Rebel line;  24MP sensor;  high-end features including Quick Control Dial on back for direct exposure inputs;  advanced 19-point AF system;  fast 5 fps shooting;  advanced Hybrid CMOS AF III during Live View and video shooting;  continuous Servo AF during Live View shooting;  Wi-Fi (and NFC) built-in.

EOS Rebel T6i — aimed at users wanting deluxe features, but prioritizes easy shooting 
Less-expensive version of high-end T6s… same 24MP sensor and 19-point AF;  same 5 fps shooting speed;  standard 4 Control Key buttons instead of Quick Control Dial on back;  no Servo AF during Live View shooting;  Wi-Fi and NFC built-in.

Rebel SL1 — specialized version, emphasizing portability with good feature set 
Super-compact Rebel model;  18MP resolution;  up to 4 fps shooting speed;  traditional 4-way controller on rear of camera;  Hybrid CMOS AF II for AF during Live View and video recording;   No built-in Wi-Fi.  Incredibly compact size is major selling point of this model.

EOS Rebel T6 — the gateway for new customers into DSLR shooting 
Newly-introduced in Spring of 2016 — most affordable Rebel model.  Replaces EOS Rebel T5, which was by far Canon’s most popular EOS camera.  18MP resolution;  up to 3 fps shooting speed;  9-point AF when shooting still images through eye-level viewfinder;  traditional contrast-type AF off image sensor during Live View and video shooting;  Video up to Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps;  Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.


So don’t be confused by the proliferation of “T6” models in the Canon EOS Rebel line… if there’s a letter following the T6 moniker, it signifies a more advanced camera, with the “S” model at the top of the Rebel line, as of early 2016.  The new EOS Rebel T6 — sans extra letters — is the affordable point of entry for the vast majority of new digital SLR customers considering Canon.

Wi-Fi comes to Canon’s least expensive EOS model

This is going to be huge for many of today’s amateur photographers, who want the immediacy of being able to shoot pictures, and be able to send and share them within moments of taking them.  The EOS Rebel T6 brings Wi-Fi to these customers, with some powerful built-in capabilities.  And to be clear:  Wi-Fi connection doesn't require any type of Wi-Fi accessories, transmitters, and so on… it’s all built-in.

Whether they’re images we take in our backyard, or halfway around the world, today’s amateur shooters want to be able to share them quickly with family, friends, or even clients. What separates a digital SLR like the Rebel T6 from a typical smartphone is the tremendous photographic potential, such as in this shot, taken with the accessory, ultra-wide EF-S 10-18mm STM lens. With the Rebel T6’s built-in Wi-Fi, you can take a picture like this, and immediately send it to your phone, even if you’re miles away from a normal wireless internet connection. Using the phone, you can then share a high-quality image via e-mail, or to social media sites.

It’s certainly true that users today can shoot pictures with their smartphones, and send them immediately via e-mail, or upload them to social media sites.  Here’s the difference:  EOS Rebel T6 users can now do similar things, but with far more imaging potential.  Think of the two portrait images (on page 1), comparing a Rebel T6 shot with a smartphone picture.  Which would you rather post to your social media page?  This is the potential that even the most casual amateurs can unlock with the Rebel T6 camera.

Wi-Fi capabilities with the EOS Rebel T6 include :

Built-in NFC connection to compatible Android-system devices 
Connect by simply holding the Rebel T6 against a compatible Android tablet or phone… no menu connections required.  (Menu connectivity to non-compatible Android mobile devices, or to iOS devices, is absolutely possible.)

Connect via Wi-Fi to your smartphone 

Lets you easily and quickly view your camera’s images on your smartphone’s screen;  select any images you want and upload them to the phone;  and from the phone, easily send images to anyone you want via your phone’s e-mail, or upload to social media sites.  You can even remote-control the camera from your phone or tablet!  Wi-Fi connection of camera to smartphone can be done without any external internet connection active.

Connect via internet connection and upload images to a Web Service 

If you have access to a standard wireless internet system, such as in a home or workplace, you can connect the camera to that wireless internet network, and from there, select and upload images to Canon’s cloud-based Canon Image Gateway.  Pre-set groups of e-mail contacts or direct links to your Facebook™ or other social media sites, and then (via Canon Image Gateway) share images directly to those groups or sites.

Easy wireless link to Canon Connect Station CS100 

This optional device may be the perfect organization tool for the average amateur photographer. Canon’s Connect Station CS100 is a stand-alone device that can store about 150,000 full-resolution, best-quality JPEG images from the Rebel T6 (or about 70 hours of Full HD video footage).  And, the Rebel T6 can connect and download original image files to the CS100 wirelessly — simply touching the T6 to the CS100 allows immediate connection and downloading of files from camera to the Connect Station.  Once images are copied to the CS100, they can be easily viewed on a compatible HDTV, using wireless connectivity.

Summary

The introduction of the EOS Rebel T6 brings a very full digital SLR feature set to a broad audience, and specifically targets those customers new to digital SLR photography.  For anyone who’s been shooting with a smartphone and contemplating taking that step into an interchangeable lens SLR, the Rebel T6 represents an inviting step forward.

It offers a full range of shooting modes, from totally automatic operation to traditional modes like shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure control.  It can focus continuously on moving subjects, with its standard 9-point AF system, and shoot at up to 3 fps.  RAW or JPEG still images can be taken (or both!), and video recording up to Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps is possible, too.

And perhaps most important, this camera truly is a gateway into the world of digital SLR photography.  It doesn’t end with the standard lens that comes with the camera… any lens in the Canon EOS system can be used on the Rebel T6.  It’s compatible with Canon’s full line of EX-series speedlites.  Remote control can be done through your smartphone via a Wi-Fi connection (as mentioned above), or through an accessory Canon RS-60E3 wired remote controller. 

In a simple, easy-to-operate package, the Rebel T6 represents a terrific starting point to begin one’s journey into digital SLR photography.  If you’re an entry-level shooter who’s been thinking about investing in a great camera system, this may be the right answer for you.  And if you’re a seasoned DSLR veteran, this may be the camera to refer your friends and colleagues to, if and when they come to you asking for advice on a good starting interchangeable lens camera.

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.

Can Mirrorless Cameras Be As Good As DSLRs?

Are mirrorless cameras as good or better than DSLR models? That's the question I get most often from many photo enthusiasts when I travel around the globe on wildlife photo shoots. My readers know I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon equipment for over a quarter century. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Sony has enjoyed a very good couple of years with their various mirrorless camera models, culminating with their top-of-the-line a7R II. Last year, Leica joined the competition by introducing the SL model. Even Canon may jump in this race by announcing their own full frame mirrorless camera some time this year.

I have used mirrorless cameras. They just don't feel right in my hands. They are ergonomically challenged and the functions and features are not suitable for my use in wildlife photography. There are many people who love their mirrorless cameras. They are small, light weight and take very good photos in travel, portrait and everyday life but when the shots really matter, I know very few photographers will reach for their mirrorless camera instead of the DSLR. Take a look at the above video. It's a bit light-hearted but you will get the impression why mirrorless cameras are not used by pros in the Olympic Games, World Cup and many other important sporting events.