Year in Review: Richard's Hits and Misses of 2024

[antonio_s]

I'll keep enjoying my pickles with my 10-20. Crazy how small that lens is, by the way!

 

[CJaurelius]

I think Craig's argument was that Canon's decision on MPs (and other design elements) for the R1 was made in conjunction with users such as Reuters. That is - Canon asked them, or more correctly collaborated with them over years, and that is what they preferred. In that sense it's not a 'conservative' or 'predictable' decision, it's just what the specific target audience for the R1 wanted.

While this is true it's not the whole story. Canon likely collaborated with them but that collaboration was based off of what Canon could provide at a profitable price.

Canon was able to acheive a 2.8ms readout speed in the R1's 24MP sensor. Had they made that sensor 45+MP's they likely wouldn't have been able to achieve the same readout speed. So given the CHOICE between a faster readout speed and higher MP's the feedback was probably sensor readout speed.

The R5mii while at 45MP is 6.3ms. The A1 is 50MP and is at 4.2ms. The Z8/Z9 is 45MP and is at 4ms. Given a mechanical shutter is 3ms Canon doesn't currently have a high MP camera that is fast enough.

So yes the feedback was likely faster readout IF they have to choose. But no doubt they would also want an option with more megapixes if it didn't come at the expense of speed. This is why when you see companies with Sony contracts and some people use the A1 while others use the A9III.

 

[antonio_s]

While this is true it's not the whole story. Canon likely collaborated with them but that collaboration was based off of what Canon could provide at a profitable price.

Canon was able to acheive a 2.8ms readout speed in the R1's 24MP sensor. Had they made that sensor 45+MP's they likely wouldn't have been able to achieve the same readout speed. So given the CHOICE between a faster readout speed and higher MP's the feedback was probably sensor readout speed.

The R5mii while at 45MP is 6.3ms. The A1 is 50MP and is at 4.2ms. The Z8/Z9 is 45MP and is at 4ms. Given a mechanical shutter is 3ms Canon doesn't currently have a high MP camera that is fast enough.

So yes the feedback was likely faster readout IF they have to choose. But no doubt they would also want an option with more megapixes if it didn't come at the expense of speed. This is why when you see companies with Sony contracts and some people use the A1 while others use the A9III.

Just give me a 45MP full-frame sensor with a global shutter, as much DR as the R5ii, ISO 100 and the fixings. It's likely going to be in our hands within a decade.

(I sometimes do 3-camera video, and my current setup would be R5ii/R5/R7; I probably won't upgrade until we actually do get a GS Canon camera, although I'd buy a global shutter APS-C model too.)

 

[Maximilian]

An S9/XM5 style compact, but capable body would be very nice! If it’s APS-C, we could use the excellent sigma lenses on that. If it’s FF, I wonder if they reuse the R8 internals wholesale or do something completely different.

Love that ideas

 

[David - Sydney]

<opinionated>Trigger Warning: I detest cropping and any mention of it beyond perspective and some subtle composition. Use the right lens or get closer. </opinionated>

When shooting underwater wide angle for trigger fish and a gorgeous shawn-the-sheep nudibranch/peacock mantis shrimp/pygmy sea horse/etc appears, you don't have time to change lens 20m under the surface to capture the moment

I was cropping severely yesterday as I was processing an indoor karate black belt grading.
Since I was attempting my next level in the grading event, I loaned out my R5 to someone else to take pics and they weren't zooming in as much as I would have. Getting close would have meant getting in the firing line so to speak.
Even though I gave them a R5+70-200/2.8 and my wife the RP+100-500mm.

 

[David - Sydney]

How many times does it have to be said?
1 series cameras are designed based on the input from the people that will be using and buying them. Canon does not care how many they sell through retail. These cameras are purchased in bulk by agencies and CPS programs globally. 1 series cameras are a very small percentage of Canon's total shipments.
Canon does not care what the internet thinks or what other brands are doing. They are taking care of their customers.

I believe that there is an opportunity to have a 1-series body with R5ii internals. This could be the R3 size or R1 sized body

This would avoid needing the grips, potentially cheaper for Canon not to stock/sell 3 different grips and add a more ergonomic experience.
Only canon would know how many grips are sold but if an integrated R5ii body was the only option and priced at a premium to the USD400 grip price then it could avoid needing a fan for cooling.
Adding the fancy AF controller (vs joystick) would be a nice touch and maybe the cinema menus to negate the need for a R5iiC kills a couple of birds at once.
It would be interesting if a LP-E19 would give any benefit over a pair of LP-E6P. Higher voltage may help drive big whites.

Of course, such an option would send the "flagship" comparisons into an inflated frenzy but that would be fun to watch!

 

[SvO2]

It would be interesting if a LP-E19 would give any benefit over a pair of LP-E6P. Higher voltage may help drive big whites.

The voltage that makes it to the lens is regulated down to 6v regardless. Big difference would be the instantaneous power output, and the LP-E6P closes that gap (with both batteries allowing a ~50W power draw judging by the specs of the dummy batteries). LP-E19 does have overall more capacity so does last longer, but two LP-E6Ps in a battery grip should have more capacity even still.

 

[john1970]

Just give me a 45MP full-frame sensor with a global shutter, as much DR as the R5ii, ISO 100 and the fixings. It's likely going to be in our hands within a decade.

Agree that within a decade I strongly suspect a global sensor camera with 45 MP with solid DR will exists, but I do question if one will be able to make such a camera high speed without having issues with heat generation issue(s). Time will tell.

 

[David - Sydney]

Agree that within a decade I strongly suspect a global sensor camera with 45 MP with solid DR will exists, but I do question if one will be able to make such a camera high speed without having issues with heat generation issue(s). Time will tell.

Heat has been an ongoing issue for a long time now. The 5Div needed a hardware mod for clog2 if I recall before they upped the price and made it standard.
The processor solution is to reduce the line width of the imaging to get more power efficient processing but the demands for greater processing and storage march on with smaller bodies for the most part.
I'm sure that the fanbois would have found something else to complain about the R5 as they blew their collective minds that it couldn't cope with 8k30raw for >20 minutes. Albeit it took a long time to reset for another 20 minutes. Firmware updates for actual temperature measures and allowing higher internal temp removed the problem but people have long memories.
Ideally the R5C should have been released at the same time.
Canon won't allow that to happen again.