Canon Working on Professional Underwater Camera? [CR1]

[Canon Rumors]

Is Canon working on a higher end and more professional underwater camera?</p>
<p>We’re told that Canon is working on an underwater camera for serious divers, a camera that would not require an underwater housing and far superior to any of the point and shoot options out there. Canon has said that they’re going to start making cameras that are need based, instead of the do-it-all cameras of the past.</p>
<p>Take this with a huge grain of salt, but the concept is interesting.</p>

 

[Jeevz]

Taken with all the salt in the sea...

But, this would be pretty interesting. I currently shoot a 7d in an ikelite housing, and I often think about the potential ergonomic benefits of a dedicated underwater camera.

It also could possibly slightly lessen the risk of flooding and have increased versatility as a surf and dive camera...

 

[mbiedermann]

Count this certified Divemaster as hugely interested!

Cheers

 

[Diko]

Need-based could turn out to be the future for real.

 

[Yankeedog]

I'd be interested in a camera like this; probably not to buy but as something I'd rent a few times a year.

Current DSLR + pressure housing dive camera solutions take decent enough images if you know what you're doing, but are pretty bulky. The ergonomics and UI are also definitely suboptimal, especially for colder water dives where you have to wear thick gloves.

A dedicated pro/prosumer dive camera with integrated housing could offer big advantages.

 

[PureClassA]

This rumor is a lot more realistic to me than the last one of a new f2.8 L wide ;-) This would be cool! And I'd definitely at least rent this to play with

 

[weixing]

Hi,
May be allow you to change lens underwater??? Ha ha ha...

Have a nice day.

 

[pedro]

This will lead into a whole new DR-discussion. Depth Ratings... 8)

 

[nebugeater]

Maybe this is for all those photographers that think Canon is on a sinking ship! ;D

 

[clarksbrother]

...Canon has said that they’re going to start making cameras that are need based, instead of the do-it-all cameras of the past.

Yes... that's exactly why people love their smart phones... because they're only really good at one thing...</sarcasm> The last thing I want is to carry around more gear than I have to... one camera for this, another for that, etc. By all accounts, their foray into that realm (XC10) has been met with luke-warm reviews. I was seriously considering waiting it out for the new 5D series... but the more and more I look at it... I think I'll be waiting an awfully long time for the same magic I found in the 5D Mark II.

 

[dickgrafixstop]

Interesting concept, but a tough sell. Nikon dropped it's Nikonos underwater model for lack of market in that price range and current underwater housings are not a huge market. Canon would be better off focusing on a competitive mirrorless model, even if it entailed a fourth range of lenses.

 

[noisejammer]

Interesting concept, but a tough sell. Nikon dropped it's Nikonos underwater model for lack of market in that price range and current underwater housings are not a huge market. Canon would be better off focusing on a competitive mirrorless model, even if it entailed a fourth range of lenses.

That was my first reaction too... the RS was a beautiful design (although I couldn't get why u/w autofocus was important.) One grain of sand and your multi kilo-dollar camera is toast - just as it did for the RS models. A 450D or similar in an adequate case really is adequate...
My second thought was "Does this mean the next fad activity will be diving .. again?" I seem to recall 1975-1980, 1995-2k and now another fifteen years have whizzed by.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

If implemented correctly, this could work out well. I have often wondered if we are at the point where a still photography camera and a video camera in the same body end up being pretty good at both but not excelling at either.

The control layout for still photography may not be the same as what video customers want, for example.

Will there come a point when trying to be the best at everything ends up being neither and costing more.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Hi,
May be allow you to change lens underwater??? Ha ha ha...

Have a nice day.

You just have to be quick... very quick.

 

[weixing]

Hi,

Hi,
May be allow you to change lens underwater??? Ha ha ha...

Have a nice day.

You just have to be quick... very quick.

Since water will go in, may be instead of air space, they design the lens with water in mind... water space... ha ha ha...

Have a nice day.

 

[zim]

mmmmm...... a nauti cam

 

[TeT]

it may be that this is the emergency plan for the XC10....


seriously though... it doesnt have to be the 1DX of underwater cameras.. it can be the SL1 and if the ergonomics are there for underwater use it will be a well accepted device...

 

[300D]

Will it require a filter in front of the lens for full water sealing?

Just thinking out loud !!!!!!!!!!! :

 

[Otara]

Housings with dslr mean you can carry a spare body for emergencies, multiple lens options and the option to use above water lenses rather than custom oines,choices between housings based on budget, etc. With pressure check options, they're already pretty leak proof and the cost of a solid housing isn't cheap.

Given mirrorless has mostly solved size issues and the range of options already available, the only real advantages would be for the far keener u/w diver which is a pretty small market. And Nikon has historically been the dominant brand u/w with slr anyhow, for a variety of reasons.

 

[riker]

Oh yes! Finally something innovative. Though the words "need based" I really hate.
Wonder what strobe system it will use.

Actualy would anytime give up my dslr setup for a simple
M3 + Tokina 10-17 fish + nauticam housing combo. If it would exist. I don't want anything that is less in performance.