Canon EVIL/Small DSLR on the Way [CR3]

[Canon Rumors]

Masaya Maeda spills the beans

Canon’s head of their Image Communications Products has told Reuters that Canon is working on an EVIL/Small DSLR camera.

Maeda also said the company was working on a smaller version of its upmarket single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras in a bid to compete with the new breed of mid-range so-called “mirrorless” cameras launched by Sony Corp, Olympus Corp, and Panasonic Corp.

Maeda went a few steps further.

“It’s not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller,” Maeda said. “We will meet this need.”

He did mention that a mirror may still be part of the equation. So perhaps not an EVIL but a really small digital SLR that could take EF & EF-S lenses?

“It’s not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller,” Maeda said. “We will meet this need.”

He denied this would be difficult without removing the internal mirror, adding that Canon had produced very small SLR cameras in the past.

No time table was mentioned.

Read More: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE66J04U20100720

thanks Keith

cr

[timswim78]

I hope it's:

- Compatible with EF-S and EF lenses
- Not just a downsized DSLR, as their Rebels are already hard enough to hold.

[Canon Rumors]

It'd like a camera the size of the Canon 7 with a high resolution EVF.

[WoodyWindy]

My first SLR (which I still have) was the Canon EOS IX, which was a small form-factor APS body that took EF lenses. The original 22-55 and 24-85 were designed for this camera. It was, in performance and construction, equivalent to the Elan or X0 series of 35MM film cameras. There was also an EOS IX Lite (in the US) or EOS IX 7 elsewhere, which was a Rebel X00 class body.

In other words, if the electronics are now small enough, you *can* now get a DSLR in roughly the form factor of the G series. Add a couple pancake EF-S lenses, and Canon is right in the hunt in this space without creating a new mount.

[Justin]

As long as it's small I'll be happy. An adapter for EF lenses would be cool, but half the promise of EVIL relies on small lightweight lenses. So a few pancakes (assuming a 1.6 crop factor) like a 17, 35, and 50 would be drool worthy. 

They better hurry though. I'm ready to pounce on the GF-1 successor.

[Jaysoooon]

+1 on having it similar to the 7D (size wise) That would be sick if it took EF and EF-S lenses since we all have more than enough of them already!

[Justin]

It'd like a camera the size of the Canon 7 with a high resolution EVF.

I'd like it more if it were compatible with Leica like the 7 was.

[LukeLx]

I would add myself to those who ask for an EVIL(or hybrid) camera, and not for a small DSLR (1000D already exists).
Surely an EF adapter is needed but also new lightweights lenses, I would not use so much a NEX body coupled with a 24-70 or a 70-200 :-)
The hacked GH1 returns really awesome videos, in every aspects, and its contrast detection AF is the fastest around, so... time to move for Canon.

[Justin]

I would add myself to those who ask for an EVIL(or hybrid) camera, and not for a small DSLR (1000D already exists).
Surely an EF adapter is needed but also new lightweights lenses, I would not use so much a NEX body coupled with a 24-70 or a 70-200 :-)
The hacked GH1 returns really awesome videos, in every aspects, and its contrast detection AF is the fastest around, so... time to move for Canon.

I wouldn't want to use Canon L glass much either, but it would be fun to have the compatibility option available. For movies on a tripod for example it could rock.

[WoodyWindy]

Here's the specs comparing the old IX to the current PowerShot G11 and Lumix G2:

EOS IX: 132 x 80 x 59 mm, 485 g (with battery)
PS G11: 112.1 x 76.2 x 48.3mm, 355g (without battery)
Lumix G2:  124 mm x 84 mm x 74 mm, 428 g (with battery)

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1996-2000/1996_eos-ix-e.html?p=1

[imagehunters]

It would be great to have a good canon in my pocket all day... i was looking at the PEN for a bit. But if this is true i will wait for a while

[Michael Cheddar]

Make it FF and Im in 

[Grendel]

x2 to FF !

[MintMark]

I would add myself to those who ask for an EVIL(or hybrid) camera, and not for a small DSLR (1000D already exists).
Surely an EF adapter is needed but also new lightweights lenses, I would not use so much a NEX body coupled with a 24-70 or a 70-200 :-)
The hacked GH1 returns really awesome videos, in every aspects, and its contrast detection AF is the fastest around, so... time to move for Canon.

Since you mentioned the 1000D, a 1000D successor with 50D level AF and operation speed would be great.

What if a mirror was only used for fast AF and they put an EVF elsewhere in the body (so no top hump). Would that be good?

[Woody]

x2 to FF !

Make it 3