Spread the love
Canon is one of the few companies that has managed to stay at the top of camera sales rankings. They have shown an inclined growth, and they continue to launch new mirrorless devices keeping that goal in mind. At the CP+ Show, the company finally opened up about its future plans, and certainly, a vintage camera seems to be on the horizon. Here is a quick look at what Canon plans for their upcoming photographic gear.
On Third-Party Full Frame Canon Lenses
In an interview with Photo Trend, Go Tokura, Executive Vice President and Head of Imaging Division, opened up about the future of third-party lenses. He said the company is committed to meeting customer needs for third-party full-frame lenses, which have been absent from Canon’s lineup. “Regarding third-party goals, I can’t go into details about contracts with other manufacturers. That said, third-party manufacturers have their own strategies and plans, ” he revealed. “We will monitor what kind of third-party lenses will appear on the market in the future.”
So, while Canon is not openly stating anything at the moment, there could be a possibility that full-frame camera users have the same benefit as their APS-C counterparts. However, Canon’s own full-frame lenses have been quite successful, so the impact of the entry of third-party lenses remains to be seen.
Canon EOS R5 Mk II and EOS R1 Success
Tokura also delved into the success of both cameras, revealing that despite the backorders, these cameras have helped Canon’s overall performance. However, the EOS R1 has not been as huge a hit as the EOS R5 Mk II, partly because the camera has its own issues and is not too different from the R3. Speaking about this, Yasuhiko Shiomi, Head of IBO Division in charge of development, said, “We have developed the EOS-1 series models over several generations. Our standard has always been that each new model in the EOS-1 series must surpass its predecessor in every aspect. This is what we planned and developed the EOS R1 with.” However, Shiomi hopes that users are able to look at the differentiation, such as the “AF performance is significantly improved, including cross-type AF.”
While the autofocus performed well in our tests, we did notice that Canon is unable to focus on people with more melanin in their skin, which is a true downfall of a camera like this. Since Canon has not given us data on how many pieces have been sold of either devices, we can’t truly comment on whether they have successful in the industry.
Video is an Important Aspect of the RF Ecosystem
We have been seeing lots of hybrid lenses and camera launches from Canon recently, and there is a very good reason for that. Canon’s Manabu Kato, Head of Imaging Business Operations (IBO) Division in charge of products, says that this is a result of the camera evolution. “In the past, camcorders and cameras were completely separate devices, but with the advent of the era of mirrorless cameras, the fusion of the two has progressed considerably,” he said. However, he adds that professional and amateur users want a single device that can shoot videos and stills at the same time so that the company can respond to their needs and trends.
However, while we understand that Canon has to listen to customer feedback, some of them also feel that photography has been completely left out of the loop. This is due to the newer cameras just not fitting well for image-making purpsises and because competitors are able to create devices that offer more features at the same price point. While Canon is looking at diversifying, they also need to figure out how cater to both groups, without one feeling they needs are a second thought for the company.
The Potential for a Vintage-Looking Camera
Nikon launched a full-frame retro-looking camera, and Canon has demanded the same. As we had previously reported, the AE-1 is likely to be launched in 2026, which is the year of its 50th anniversary. However, Kato notes that while they are listening to the demands of vintage-looking cameras, they also need to consider other factors. “It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Okay, let’s develop this camera to look vintage,’” he said. “So, if we were to do that with the design of the AE-1, would it really achieve the kind of ergonomics and usability that we need in a Canon camera? That’s the big question,” he added.
This means that while people want a camera similar to the Zf, they may have to wait a little longer. Canon is not a company that will launch a camera without further market research and a deep look into the trends. They want to maximize profit, and we believe they can do so if they crack the vintage mirrorless camera design.
It seems that Canon is pretty clear about what they want for the future, with hybrid and retro-looking cameras taking the lead. But whether they will continue to cater to photographers in the same way remains a question.