There has been a lot of hype over the last year about retro cameras, with the Nikon Z F taking a lot of headlines and with the sales to back up their decision to continue making such a camera. The new Fujifilm XV100VI is also selling like crazy, while not marketed as “retro”, the series has always taking design cues from the past.
We then had a Canon representative saying this when asked about the retro space: “In conclusion, I can't say yes or no, but as you say, some consumers are particularly fond of some of the best-selling models of the past, their design and appearance.”
We have been told that there is an “active, even if just exploratory” development of a fixed lens APS-C Canon “retro” style camera currently happening. The source claims that an internal slideshow made a mention of such a camera.
While we do think the market needs more cameras like the Leica Q and Fujifilm XV100 series, we're still not convinced it's a large enough market for Canon, as they tend to think of themselves as the giants of the industry and the niche markets haven't historically been for them. That said, is this still a niche market?
While a full-frame fixed-lens camera would be great from Canon, it would also be quite expensive and not really fit Canon's apparent goals of mirrorless domination. There's not much you can sell people once they have a fixed lens camera, so we think full-frame would remain an ILC from Canon, but that an APS-C camera would find its wait into a lot of camera bags of current owners of the RF mount system.
We know we'd be lining up to buy a digital Canonet QL17.
There are some strangely grumpy people out there writing about “retro” camera design. If Canon can do it, while also adding something new to their line-up, we don't see an issue. Older shooters can appreciate the historical influenced design, and younger shooters would get another buying option in the fixed lens camera space.
We don't know where this is going, but figured it was worth a mention as information about such a camera continues to simmer.
This topic has also recently been covered by The New Camera.
Those who love retro usually use the camera as props to shoot Instagram/tiktok.
Fuji X100VI is raising over 2500 USD-equivalent in Hong Kong... Seriously with this price might as well buy a Leica.
The 'hybrid' viewfinder in the XV100VI looks very interesting to me, I hope that style gets adopted by more manufacturers for fixed lens cameras.
As long as this does not delay the development of ergonomic R1, R5 II and other R bodies ;)
Once again, I thank Luigi Colani for modern cam design, starting with the T90.
Retro appears to mean going backward in usability but appeals to nostalgia or those looking for a particular aesthetic?
It depends who you are and what you do with your cameras. As a photo person, give me the simple and "retro" ergonomics of Leica's SL & Q cameras over anything Canon, Nikon or Sony currently make.
Canon should give us something like this instead of another fixed lens retro gadget.
The best combination would be a camera with a sensor from the R6 in an M6 body.
I'm still waiting for my M6mk3 or R equivanlent of M6km2 with tilt screen.
But if I'm doing photography purely for the joy of taking pictures for myself, I totally get the appeal of a "beautiful" and compact camera. Of course what's considered beautiful is very objective, but for me a retro camera or a Fuji or Leica is a lot more beautiful than any camera canon produces.