The Coming Canon ‘Retro’ Camera to Use Latest 32.5MP Sensor

[Canon Rumors]

Rumors and talk about Canon's coming ‘Retro' style camera that will likely pay hommage to the Canon AE-1 to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 have been relatively quiet over the last few months. There have been a few things mentioned over that time, but nothing worth publishing. This past week I had a discussion […]

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[David_B]

Count me in! I'd love to see it sell for 50% of the R6III price. And yes finally a camera for photographers, not videographers. People that don't need autofocus gimics where the camera takes the photo for you (almost.)

Imagine if it outsold the R6III...

 

[Maximilian]

April of 2026 is the 50th anniversary of the AE-1.
...
I still think it should be called the Canon RE-1. There's no better name for it!

Both sounds pretty reasonable!
Let's see, if it comes true...

But for sure, I'd take an R6m3 over it - every second!

 

[Maximilian]

Count me in! I'd love to see it sell for 50% of the R6III price. And yes finally a camera for photographers, not videographers. People that don't need autofocus gimics where the camera takes the photo for you (almost.)

Imagine if it outsold the R6III...

And what do you dream about at night?
Daydreams can be dangerous to your health.
Be careful!

But I will wait for those complaining about the c*** hammer, wanting both, 2k$ AND R6m3 features at the same time.
Personally, I would prefer to let it be "fully functional" for a reasonable price.

 

[David_B]

And what do you dream about at night?

Beautiful pictures, I'll let your mind fill in the gaps

But I will wait for those complaining about the c*** hammer, wanting both, 2k$ AND R6m3 features at the same time.
Personally, I would prefer to let it be "fully functional" for a reasonable price.

It's a RETRO camera, you push the button and it takes a photo. It doesn't try and precapture photos nor track face or balls. AEB is the most advanced feature it would need. Keep all of the other photography basics like G-P-S, horizontal/vertical level. Give AI a holiday no audio notes, no WiFi. Single battery, single card (real cameras only had 1 roll of film).

What lenses? Can't be retro without a 50mm to suit!

 

[Bob Howland]

I owned an AE-1 and A1 but currently own an R6-2 and R7. I'll pass on this one.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

And yes finally a camera for photographers, not videographers. People that don't need autofocus gimics where the camera takes the photo for you (almost.)

Someone is confused...lol.




Cute or not, I expect such camera to have nothing less than the autofocus of a R8, not to mention the R6 Mark III.
To me, they could remove video recording entirely, but photography-wise, it must have almost everything.
A photographer's camera that is decently paid must have photography features that suit its price.

Retro-styled is not retro-operational. If they wanted to make a retro digital camera, it would be worth less than a R8.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Give AI a holiday no audio notes, no WiFi. Single battery, single card (real cameras only had 1 roll of film).

I think your demands just lost Canon all potential customers.

What lenses? Can't be retro without a 50mm to suit!

I guess two retro lenses as CR mentioned make sense.

 

[Del Paso]

Retro cars, retro cameras, why not?
There seems to exist, according even to Canon executives, a real demand for them.
And I don't think those customers will ask for high-end features. I only wonder why everybody prefers the AE-1 over the A1, better ergonomics in my opinion.
Will I buy it? Maybe not, unless I need a backup or EDC body to replace my aging R.
But if Canon can make money with it, they should produce it quick, before this fashion fades away!

 

[Exploreshootshare]

I have never really understood the desire for "retro" products aside the emotional part of it. Most vintage cameras had totally different ergonomics back then. Not saying they were all awful, but they catered to different needs and had different restrictions such as the non negotiable film compartment. To me, I´d rather take a current camera over a retro one every day of the year.

The only interesting line for me was that it will be a photocentric camera. Probably not enough to lure me into buying one, but a good thing to see.

Maybe this camera will have WiFi 6 and it is the camera which was recently registered.

 

[bf]

IMHO a retro style body should follow the path of Fuji X-pro or X-100 not Canon Rebels. The build matters. Being photo-focus makes sense but to me, downgrading R6iii is not a good sign.

 

[masterpix]

Rumors and talk about Canon's coming ‘Retro' style camera that will likely pay hommage to the Canon AE-1 to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 have been relatively quiet over the last few months. There have been a few things mentioned over that time, but nothing worth publishing. This past week I had a discussion […]

See full article...

Have to admit that even I really liked teh AE-1 at it's time (and the EA-1program even more) it is a bit wired to me to create such a camera jsut for the same of nostalgy.

 

[Maximilian]

I have never really understood the desire for "retro" products aside the emotional part of it. Most vintage cameras had totally different ergonomics back then.

As I mentioned a lot in the past:

If Canon can make money with such retro cameras - good for them.
I learned to use a camera with my fathers AE-1. This was the first SLR in my hands.
I get nostalgic thoughts seeing this RE-1.
But since Luigi Colani designed the Canon T90 back in 1986 I would never want a camera without proper ergonomics anymore.
My brother owned the T90 and I fell in love with it back then.
But anyone else that like retro and have enough money - go get it.

 

[Berowne]

I have an AE-1 somewhere. In fact i did like my Leicas more and always guessed, the Leica Q was a something like a retro Leica CL. Anyway, i would buy a RE-1 if it comes with a nice and small Retro-Lens, perhaps a 50mm f 1.8. Could be tempting.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Personally, I don't get the appeal of using a retro camera. I prefer function over form, and such a camera is likely to be boxy and less comfortable to hold. But for those hoping for an RE-1 or whatever Canon ends up calling it, I hope Canon delivers.

 

[Del Paso]

I have an AE-1 somewhere. In fact i did like my Leicas more and always guessed, the Leica Q was a something like a retro Leica CL. Anyway, i would buy a RE-1 if it comes with a nice and small Retro-Lens, perhaps a 50mm f 1.8. Could be tempting.

But the 50mm should be sharp, from f/1,8. Then I could be tempted (at least by the lens...).

 

[sfericean]

Love it and looking forward to it. And I will likely buy it. I continue to dream though that we one day will get a Canon P style retro camera or even new school camera based off the the Canon P. I think it would be a big hit with jazzy FujiFilm and Leica shooter types….of which I am as well, but much uglier.

 

[Maximilian]

But the 50mm should be sharp, from f/1,8. Then I could be tempted (at least by the lens...).

It will the 50 STM - just in silver

 

[Berowne]

But the 50mm should be sharp, from f/1,8. Then I could be tempted (at least by the lens...).

OMG, just got it.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

But the 50mm should be sharp, from f/1,8. Then I could be tempted (at least by the lens...).

That’s not true retro

The RF 45mm is a perfect contender