The talk of what mount Canon will use on its first full frame mirrorless camera is likely the biggest question that exists about the new system. We have no heard two different people tell us pretty much identical things on the topic.
We're told that there will be a new mirrorless mount for a full frame mirrorless camera, though we weren't told if it's a modified version of the EF-M mount or not.
That's not all.
We've also been told that there will be a native EF mount full frame mirrorless camera coming as well. In what order these cameras would hit market is unknown.
We have heard previously that Canon plans to announce two full frame mirrorless cameras within 6 months of each other, and this definitely points in that direction.
It's possible we'll get a compact EOS M style full frame mirrorless camera with a new mount and a DSLR style camera without the mirror equipped with the EF mount. There are definitely advantages to both styles of camera bodies.
We also wonder how much video is going to influence the new mirrorless line from Canon, we think it could be a big opportunity for the company and new system(s).
We sit here in the first week of August, and hearing a lot from Nikon about their first full frame mirrorless camera, and the usual mentions of Sony.
Canon?
We haven't heard anything about an announcement date that we'd consider reliable. The closer we get to September without more information, is likely telling us that an announcement for Photokina isn't likely for a full frame mirrorless camera body.
More to come…
Each niche is filled with a product.
That actually sounds like Canon.
On the other hand, a separate mirrorless camera line using a modified EF-M mount could conform to the original merits of mirrorless cameras: compact and light weight. The EF-M lenses seem to perform well for being as small and light as they are, and I would expect the full-frame variants to be no different. But a dedicated mirrorless full-frame camera could forego features like weather sealing and extended battery life to keep the size, weight, and cost of the system down if those features are already being satisfied by an EF mirrorless camera line.
I'm skeptical Canon would launch two concurrent full-frame mirrorless systems, but it's an interesting idea.
This will give Canon the chances to see customer needs, and it will give time to build up a new mount lens lineup parallel with existing EF lenses, and maybe - but only maybe - phase EF lenses out years from now, if the market goes in that direction (which I really don't hope).
I will be so pleased if Canon keeps native EF mount for years to come even if mirrorless ILC eventually take over DSLRs
Do not make a "one size fits all". Small cameraes for streets and some reportage, and bigger cameras (and lenses) for sports, weddings, nature, studio and so).
Consider they have mirrorless EF and mirrorless EF-X cameras. No doubt mirrorless EF will compete with mirrorless EF-X. If somebody releases self-competing products, it's not Canon.
So it's plausible they stick to mirrorless EF only, but two competing mounts? I don't think so.
I expect DSLRs to survive as long as masses of people are buying them (and they still outsell mirrorless by a wide margin). But, say that erodes over time, if this rumor happens, people still have a reason to buy EF glass as there is a native EF mount FF mirrorless body. If you want smaller, you go EF-X. Eventually (and I mean decades), EF-X may replace EF, but in that interim Canon is selling camera bodies and camera lenses.
It makes a lot of sense.
I really like the dual approach. If one has a thinner body like the M series does then think of all the old FD, FL, R and others like Minolta etc. that could be mounted with a simple adapter and not optics in the adapter. In fact it would be awesome if Canon made a chipped adapter that would work with the FD etc. old Canon lenses to provide focus confirmation. This would be very interesting and create some interest in the older lenses.
Just dreaming.
"Competing" implies the two are given the same offerings to fight over the same customers and customer needs. Canon may not go that route.
EF-X could get just a handful of lenses -- the ones to keep the overall rig small -- and that's it. Done. f/4 UWA zoom, f/4 standard zoom, a handful of small f/2-ish primes and a compact macro. Done. That's it. For everything else, they point you to the adaptor.
EF would get all the traditional resources and support a flagship mount should get.
That won't compete much at all. You'd get the EF-X body and a few of the smaller lenses to build a small & light rig and you'd get the full mount and use your EF lenses on that. Easy peasy.
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If they go with both mounts in mirrorless, I think we're entirely living in the 5D/6D spec space at first. That's where all the units and market energy is, surely.
I think Canon knows better than to offer something half-baked for the uber high standards of the 1-series camp in mirrorless anytime soon. I see them first pleasing the FF masses (i.e. 5D/6D users), improving the technology over time, and then someday offering some A9-like throughput hot rod to the 1-series camp -- but it won't be soon. I wouldn't be surprised if Canon skipped the 1-series users altogether for the first generation of these mirrorless cameras.
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^^ This ^^
Offering both right out of the gate eliminates the horror of Canon making the wrong call on an impossible 50-50 decision. I know this sounds like hyperbole, but some folks are so wound up about Canon's first foray into FF mirrorless that they will meltdown and leave the fold if this billion dollar decision about an additional 1" in size doesn't go their way.
Offering both does some very nice things:
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Disregarding the older pricier Ring USM lenses that Canon is probably done making, EF-S presently has:
I know there's talk of a fast prime coming for EF-M (which is awesome), but I'm not convinced that we'll every ever see new 10-22 USM, 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, 15-85 USM lenses ever again. EF-S was a proving ground the first time around (when EF-S was first getting fleshed out in the 2000s), and either between a lack of market interest in pricey crop glass or Canon wanting folks to step up to EF, I don't see that happening again.
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My money is on a clear statement in September on a thin EF-X mount and a statement of intent along the lines of 'don't worry EF users we have an EF version in 6 months'. This would also enable them to effectively trial-run some features based on reviews/response and tweak things for 'the big one' so the pros are happy all in one go.
Canon has so far tried to control release news but I think one thing the 6D2 release told them is that social media takes it out of your hands and you have to take control of the agenda. Which may be why Nikon have gone through this very protracted drip-drip of release news.
Which will come first?
The EF or the New.
I say the New comes first, if they release the EF first they risk bad sales of the new body / lens combination.