Archive for the ‘Canon EOS-M’ Category

EOS M Announcement in the Summer? [CR2]

New bits about the next EOS M
A new camera and a few lenses should be announced sometime in the summer months. A few new lenses will also be launched. One will be an 18-135 compact zoom as well as a telephoto zoom. It was mentioned that Canon doesn’t have plans currently to launch more EOS M prime lenses, as they see the segment as “entry level”. I’m not sure I agree with that if true.

Is there any chance that the patent recently for plastic elements is for the EOS M?

cr

The Future of EOS M [CR1]

Sputtered out of the gate
The Canon EOS M system hasn’t been  the sales success Canon had hoped. Bad press about the autofocus and lack of lenses are probably big reasons why. There’s also a feeling Canon isn’t totally committed to the mirrorless market, as the segment hasn’t really been a dominant player in the United States, like it has in parts of Asia.

We’re told Canon plans to “relaunch” the system in the coming months with 2 new cameras. A direct replacement of the EOS M we have now, and a higher end model. The higher end model would get the viewfinder and other accessories. It’s also mentioned that the system could see as many as 3 new lenses launched in 2013 to give the system a better chance against the likes of M4/3 and NEX.

A new autofocus system will come with the new cameras and promises to be “class leading”.

cr

The Next EOS M? [CR1]

Canon’s next mirrorless?
Along with last week’s 7D spec list, we also received what is said to be the next EOS-M camera. A lot of people haven’t jumped on the EOS-M system yet, whether it’s the bad rap the AF gets, or the lack of lenses in the system, sales are quite weak for the little EOS camera. Most people seem to want something a little bit higher end, or at least be able to add accessories to improve the usability of the camera.

Specifcations

• 24mp APS-C Sensor
• New generation AF system
• DIGIC V
• Removable Electronic Viewfinder (Very high resolution)
• Optional grip attachment
• 5fps
• Slightly larger than the current EOS M
• Introduced with 3 more lenses
• $999 USD

Now, all of that sounds like pretty much everyones wish list, so take this CR1 rumor with a grain of salt. I will say that the next EOS M camera is definitely pointing to being higher end from other information we’ve received. An entry level EOS M system camera could be coming in early 2014 and sit in the sub $500 category.

cr

EOS M Autofocus Performance Won’t Improve via Firmware [CR2]

EOS M AF performance stuck in its current form?
We’re told Canon may not be able to significantly improve the autofocus performance of the EOS M with firmware. We’ve receive contrasting stories about this, but an insider at Canon has told me they’ve been trying, but the limitation is more to do with hardware, than software. Canon did know going in that the autofocus performance was not as good as others in the industry, but didn’t think it was a deal breaker.

Next EOS M Body
I was also told that the next EOS M body will have greatly improved autofocus performance, but that the body would cost more than the current $700ish you can get the EOS M for.

New STM EF-M lenses will be launched along with the new body. A new superzoom kit, as well as a higher end telephoto zoom. A fast prime could also be on the way, but may not appear with the others.

The bad press about the autofocus performance is probably the biggest reason the camera isn’t selling extremely well, even though Canon thinks it’s more to do with the lack of lenses available for the system. I disagree with Canon, I think a lot of people would be quite happy with an EF-M 22mm f/2 kit.

Canon EOS M w/22mm f/2 at B&H Photo for $699 (Save $100)

cr

EOS M Firmware Coming Soon

Improved AF performance?
We’re told new firmware for the EOS M will be coming “soon”. Possibly in the next two weeks. The firmware will address various things in the camera, the biggest being improving AF performance.

Do not expect miracles about how much it can be improved, but the camera should “hunt a lot less” in lower contrast situations. We’ll also see an improvement in AF tracking.

Canon EOS M w/22mm f/2 STM $699 (Save $100)

cr

New EOS-M Lenses Soon [CR2]

More EOS-M Lenses Soon

We’re told 3 new EOS-M lenses will be announced in the coming months. A 55-300 style lens will appear along with a “fast prime” first, followed by a super zoom with a new EOS-M body.

We’ve had a lot of unconfirmed announcement dates over the last few months, so I’m not going to post any dates until I get full confirmation. For now, expect these announcements before April.

No word on the specs for the new EOS-M body, we only know it will have some kind of a viewfinder.

cr

EOS-M With Viewfinder Coming Late 2013? [CR]

The Next EOS-M
If you were hoping for a quick update to the EOS-M, apparently we won’t be able to buy one until the second half of 2013. The next model will indeed have an electronic viewfinder, something Canon omitted from the current EOS-M apparently because their EVF technology was not ready for prime time. It’s also mentioned that a viewfinder on the next EOS-M will not be a hybrid ovf/evf like some of the competition.

Looking for a retro EOS-M? Not happening according to the story, the design of the next EOS-M will be in the same style as the current model.

I’ve been told that the announcement will come in late Q1, early Q2 in 2013. A lot can change between now and then though.

Source [CW]

image from DPR forum mockup

cr

February & March are Announcement Months for Canon [CR2]

What can we expect in early 2013?
I’m told we’ll be seeing two seperate announcements in back to back months in 2013. We’ll see announcements in February and March, one of the announcements will be a “major” event. Sometimes the word “major” is used incorrectly.

EOS-M
Apparently, one of the announcements will be to introduce a second EOS-M body. The body will be slightly bigger, and have a viewfinder. They will also introduce at least two new lenses with the body. I’d expect a telephoto zoom and a fast prime.

EOS 7D Mark II
One of these announcement dates will also be for the EOS 7D replacement. No word on specs, but it’s suggested the camera/segment will get a new naming scheme.

Big Megapixel
The 40+ mp camera gets another mention and we should expect an announcement in Q1 of 2013. The camera will be physically bigger than the 5D Mark III, but will be smaller than the EOS-1D X. It’s noted that the sensor is currently in EOS-1D X styled bodies.

cr

A Brief 2013 Canon Roadmap [CR1]

What’s in the pipeline
As always, things quiet down after an announcement. The two recently announced lenses seem to have generated quite a bit of talk, and that’s always good, even if a lot of it was negative towards the pricing. I hope to have both the EF 24-70 f/4L IS and EF 35 f/2 IS in the hands of our new reviewer sometime in December.

EOS
Two new DSLRs will be coming in the first quarter of 2013. Most likely APS-C cameras. Definitely a Rebel and most likely one of the 70D or 7D Mark II.

EOS-M
New lenses in Q1 of 2013 will be announced. Expect a fast prime and a telephoto lens. No mentions of a new EOS-M camera. We’re all hoping for a firmware update to improve the AF of the EOS-M.

Cinema EOS
Going with some previous reports, we’re told that new Cinema EOS lenses will be announced by the end of January. No cameras are in the immediate pipeline. We’re still waiting for the EOS 1D C to make it to market as well as the EOS C100.

The Big Megapixel Camera
They’re out there, announcement is unknown. It is definitely 40+ mp and will be geared to studio and landscape photographers. Apparently there’s lots of new technology in this upcoming body.

Same info received at [CW]

cr

EF-M 55mm f/1.3 Coming in 2013? [CR1]

Announcement on March 26, 2013?
I was recently told that a new 55mm f/1.3 lens would be announced on March 26, 2013. This is the first time I have ever seen an announcement date called this far off. Although, I tend to believe something is probably going to happen in March of 2013. I find it odd that Canon won’t be doing the announced firmware for the 5D Mark III until April 2013, I’m not sure if that’s tied to other new products coming.

As for the lens, it wasn’t specified if it was EF or EF-M mount, I have just assumed it would be EF-M. For arguments sake, that would give an approximate field of view of 90mm f/1.3. A nice portrait lens for the new system.

cr