Canon USA: The R3 line will continue

[john1970]

If I had to guess on the R1 Mark II.

30MP, faster, fps, full QDAF, stacked but better DR.

People want the 1 series to be about MP - and canon has shown since the 1DX first came out that it's not that. Unless suddenly the people that Canon caters to tells them they need more MP, it probably won't be.

1DX came out in 2011 and was 18MP. Fast forward 3 cameras and 14 years later and we're up to 24MP.

To be honest, I struggle to find a place for the R3 Mark II, except that I would expect to to have the R1 featureset, while the R1 Mark II would have a more advanced feature set.

This would allow canon to drag the price of the R3 down a bit.

or they could go R3, 60MP, 12fps, etc. an differentiate the line that way. if they decide to keep it as a more experimental camera they may go global shutter.

...and at 30 MP with full QDAF I would likely upgrade.

 

[Richard CN]

I for one am glad that Canon makes a 24 MP full body camera because I mainly shoot wildlife at dusk and dawn and for me high ISO performance is critical. I also don't make large prinst and mainly photograph large mammals. Don't get me wrong I also wish Canon would resurrect the 1Ds series and make a higher resolution R1 for smaller subjects. Currently Canon designs its 1-series cameras for photojournalism and that means lower, but not low resolution.

I had started to write an article on that actually.

I may revisit it, but I need Craig's input because he shoots sports and whatnot far more than I ever did and he's traveling right now and suffering over using a
15" monitor versus his 49 or 90" monitor or something like that. lol.

 

[Richard CN]

...and at 30 MP with full QDAF I would likely upgrade.

The only thing that I could see them being forced to upgrade the sensor is for 8K. If the pros say that they need it for 8K, then the 1 series gets a 45MP.

 

[Dragon]

The only thing that I could see them being forced to upgrade the sensor is for 8K. If the pros say that they need it for 8K, then the 1 series gets a 45MP.

As one who spent 30 years helping to create HDTV, I struggle to see the relevance of 8k for a wide market. Even if screens large enough to do it justice are made, very few homes have a blank wall big enough with seating close enough. optimal viewing distance for 2k is around 3 picture heights. That puts 4k at 1.5 picture heights and 8k at .75 picture heights. That produces a viewing angle that basically allows for only 1 or 2 viewers even with very large screen, so it just doesn't work ergonomically in the home. 8k will have many useful applications, but hard to see general entertainment being one of them, and that likely will limit the need for 8k by professional photographers. 8k doesn't have the impossible problem that 3D/VR has of giving the viewer a headache and disorientation thanks to the appearance of depth without the screen changing actual position, but it is ergonomically impractical to get any significant improvement in perceived resolution over 4k, so hard to see large numbers of folks spending the extra money just for phallic envy.

 

[koenkooi]

that was a useful accessory! I used it a ton.

I was ecstatic when I discovered live-view when using the mp-e65. Having the camera low to the ground and then trying to look through the angle finder turns out to be real skill that to need to work on

 

[domo_p1000]

Barely anyone has been able to hold an R1 or R5 Mark 2 up until now, but everybody's talking about what they want for an R1 mark 2, or R3s or whatever.
This is partly, why there will always be disappointment in new launches. Excitement for new tech is fun and absolutely legit, but we should learn to calm our horses and not get too high on our imagination.

Amen.
I fear that you have strayed from elsewhere, bringing sense and wisdom to the forum.
The Internet won't be calm until Sony is the only imaging manufacturer in the world and they produce a sub-£2000 pocket-sized 100MP FF body with 10-1000mm optically perfect, fast kit lens.

 

[Ph0t0]

If I had to guess on the R1 Mark II.

30MP, faster, fps, full QDAF, stacked but better DR.

People want the 1 series to be about MP - and canon has shown since the 1DX first came out that it's not that. Unless suddenly the people that Canon caters to tells them they need more MP, it probably won't be.

1DX came out in 2011 and was 18MP. Fast forward 3 cameras and 14 years later and we're up to 24MP.

To be honest, I struggle to find a place for the R3 Mark II, except that I would expect to to have the R1 featureset, while the R1 Mark II would have a more advanced feature set.

This would allow canon to drag the price of the R3 down a bit.

or they could go R3, 60MP, 12fps, etc. an differentiate the line that way. if they decide to keep it as a more experimental camera they may go global shutter.

Yeah. I'm not saying that it will happen. I was just trying to say that I find it hard to see a place for R3 II the way things stand right now. And I fully agree with you in this regard.

Though, as for flagship megapixel count. Who knows what the future holds. It is true that in the past all fast cameras had lower MP, but it is also true that the cameras nowdays are reaching higher and higher fps, and I think at some point, they will reach AF and burst rates that are plenty for most sports shooters and the flagship will probably have to offer something else alongside speed (like higher resolution, 8K ...)

 

[vishaltpt]

The Need for Affordable ‘Stills First’ Landscape Photography-Based Full Frame Cameras with High Megapixels

Introduction:

The landscape photography community, alongside architecture, interior, real estate, hospitality, food, still life, astro-photography, advertising, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, has long sought a camera tailored to its specific needs—one that prioritizes high megapixel counts and superior image quality over features such as video recording, high frame rates (FPS), and advanced auto-focus systems. This text examines the necessity for such a specialized camera and highlights how current market offerings (with the recent launches of cameras like the Canon R5II and Canon R1, R3, Nikon Z8) are not tailored toward this market as they inflate costs by including unnecessary features not required for such genres of photography. Additionally, these bundled features require high processing power, which can otherwise be used to deliver superior image quality in terms of dynamic range and less noise at higher ISO.



The Unique Requirements of Specialized Photography:

Photographers in these specific genres prioritize different attributes compared to other types of photographers. Key requirements include:

1. High Megapixel Count: Essential for capturing fine details in expansive scenes and intricate subjects, allowing for large prints and extensive cropping without loss of quality.
2. Dynamic Range: Crucial for capturing the wide tonal range found in natural scenes, deep shadows, bright highlights, and detailed textures.
3. Image Quality: Superior image quality, including color accuracy and minimal noise, is paramount.
4. 16-bit Raw Photo: For better tonal gradations and shadow/highlight recovery in post-processing. Provides more flexibility in post-processing, reducing the likelihood of banding and preserving more detail when making significant adjustments to exposure, contrast, or color grading. A 14-bit image (from an FF camera like R5II) represents 2^14 = 16,384 tonal values per channel, and a 16-bit image (from medium format cameras like the Fuji GFX, Hasselblad X2) represents 2^16 = 65,536 tonal values per channel. So, a 16-bit image capture has 4 times more tonal values than a 14-bit image capture. This significantly enhances the depth of color and the smoothness of gradients, which is especially beneficial for high-quality image processing and photo printing.
5. Specialized Lenses:
   • Ultra-lightweight lenses.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/8 or f/11 aperture.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/2 aperture.
   • Fixed focus lens—no need to focus, lenses that are in focus from near to infinity.
   • Manual focus-only lenses.

By eliminating the need for faster apertures and auto focus (and thereby larger glass and lens group elements), the lens designer can focus on delivering zero distortions, no vignetting, and optimal lens character, resulting in the best overall image quality. A lot of manufacturing costs and complexity can be saved to deliver a superior specialized lens at affordable prices.

6. Specialized Cameras:

• Camera specifically for night photography - with base ISO starting from 12800 and above - delivering superior image quality at higher ISO.
• Camera specifically for infrared/black and white photography.

Current Market Offerings:

Manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony have produced high-megapixel cameras, but not to the extent required, and these often come bundled with features that are not necessarily needed by photographers in these genres. These unnecessary features require high processing power, which could otherwise be used to enhance image quality.

• Video Capabilities: High-end video features such as 8K Raw video are often unnecessary and overkill for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers. These features add significant cost to the cameras without providing benefits that these photographers require.
• High FPS: Features like 30 frames per second (FPS) are tailored for action and wildlife photography but are irrelevant for the typically static subjects of these specialized genres. Photographers in these fields do not need such high FPS capabilities, making this feature an unnecessary cost driver.
• Advanced Auto-focus Systems: Advanced auto-focus features such as subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus are crucial for sports and wildlife photographers. However, these features are irrelevant for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers who often use manual focus or basic auto focus due to the static nature of their subjects.

Unnecessary Features Inflating Costs for a ‘Stills First’ Oriented Camera:

Lately, manufacturers seem to focus on selling expensive video-centric ‘one size fits all’ cameras by adding unnecessary features that inflate costs not required for many genres of photography. The newly launched Canon EOS R5 II, for example, is priced at $4,299 due to its advanced 8K Raw video and auto focus capabilities, which drive up its cost. Similarly, Sony's A7R V, with a 61 MP sensor, includes high-end video features, contributing to its price tag of around $3,899. Though there is demand for such video-centric cameras from a section of the market, this focus on high-end, video feature-packed cameras creates a significant gap in the market for an affordably priced ‘stills first’ camera that prioritizes superior image quality over unnecessary bells and whistles. An affordable, ‘stripped down version’ of these cameras (like the Canon R5II, Sony A7RV, Nikon Z8) without the video, FPS, and auto focus features and the addition of a higher megapixel sensor in the 75-100 MP range would be readily acceptable as a primary/second camera by a range of photographers.



The Gap in the Market:

Despite the availability of high-megapixel cameras, there is a noticeable gap in the market for an affordable FF camera tailored specifically to the needs of this genre of photographers. This gap highlights the need for a product that focuses solely on the attributes that matter most to these photographers:

• Cost Efficiency: By excluding high-end video and auto focus features, manufacturers can reduce production costs and offer a more affordable high-megapixel camera. For instance, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, a high-end medium format camera, is priced at $2,999 and comes close to the ideal landscape-oriented camera. An equivalent camera in full-frame format by Canon, Sony, or Nikon can be priced lower than this. Statistics reveal that when prices are affordable, the volume of sales is higher, benefiting manufacturers as well. It’s a win-win situation. It is also pertinent to note that the cost of the camera is just one part of the cost to photographers; they have to keep supplementing the camera with newer, better lenses, lighter and better tripods, faster computer systems and laptops, color-accurate monitors, and many other accessories. So, cost affordability by curtailing unnecessary features has to be given a top priority by the manufacturers.
• Simplicity and Usability: A streamlined camera designed specifically for these genres would be easier to use, focusing on the essential features needed for capturing stunning images.

Conclusion:

There is a clear need for a dedicated camera that emphasizes high megapixels and superior image quality while excluding unnecessary features such as 8K Raw video, 30 FPS, and advanced auto focus systems like subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus. By developing such a camera, manufacturers can meet the specific demands of landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, providing a cost-effective and highly specialized tool for capturing the beauty and detail of their subjects.



Recommendations:

Manufacturers:

1. To develop a high-megapixel camera tailored for these genres, by eliminating unnecessary features.
2. To engage with actual users and creatives widely, not just a handful of biased social media Influencers.

Consumers:

1. To engage and advocate in forums for cameras that meet their specific needs, encouraging manufacturers to produce specialized equipment.
2. To do due diligence and to be critical of the 'wow hype' created by Influencers / Forum Admins and 'see through vested interests'.

Industry Analysts:

1. To conduct market research to understand the demand for specialized cameras better and influence manufacturers' decisions.

By focusing on these photographers' actual needs, manufacturers can create affordable and better-suited products, enhancing their creative possibilities and addressing a significant market gap.

 

[john1970]

The only thing that I could see them being forced to upgrade the sensor is for 8K. If the pros say that they need it for 8K, then the 1 series gets a 45MP.

You make a good point. It will depend on what professional require. I don't mind 45 MP because I can always downsample an image, but with 24 MP I don't have to and it saves me a step. Also 24 MP RAW files take up less space, load and process faster. It would be really cool if next time around Canon releases and gives the buyer the option to buy the R1 Mk II with either a lower or higher resolution sensor.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Does Canon honestly need two sports focused highly niche cameras both priced around the $6,000 mark? The two are already extremely close in specs… what would an R3Mk2 spec sheet look like? It would still need to be under the R1… but then what would be the point of upgrading? Worst still, why upgrade to an R3Mk2 when the R1 can be had for more or less the same price? IMO, Canon decided the fate of the R3 lineup when they aligned the R1 so close in performance, specs and price. There’s zero need for another $6000 sports camera. However, an R1C might have a place?

They cost about the same.
The R3 does not need to be under the R1 by very much.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

But there also is a large number of people who want that canon full body and high MP.

Is that true?
The Z 9 barely sells now that the Z 8 exists.
I guess it depends on your definition of large and whether large is large enough for Canon's effort.
I guess they would be more different than the R3 and R1 and thus easier for people to understand.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

The Need for Affordable ‘Stills First’ Landscape Photography-Based Full Frame Cameras with High Megapixels

Introduction:

The landscape photography community, alongside architecture, interior, real estate, hospitality, food, still life, astro-photography, advertising, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, has long sought a camera tailored to its specific needs—one that prioritizes high megapixel counts and superior image quality over features such as video recording, high frame rates (FPS), and advanced auto-focus systems. This text examines the necessity for such a specialized camera and highlights how current market offerings (with the recent launches of cameras like the Canon R5II and Canon R1, R3, Nikon Z8) are not tailored toward this market as they inflate costs by including unnecessary features not required for such genres of photography. Additionally, these bundled features require high processing power, which can otherwise be used to deliver superior image quality in terms of dynamic range and less noise at higher ISO.



The Unique Requirements of Specialized Photography:

Photographers in these specific genres prioritize different attributes compared to other types of photographers. Key requirements include:

1. High Megapixel Count: Essential for capturing fine details in expansive scenes and intricate subjects, allowing for large prints and extensive cropping without loss of quality.
2. Dynamic Range: Crucial for capturing the wide tonal range found in natural scenes, deep shadows, bright highlights, and detailed textures.
3. Image Quality: Superior image quality, including color accuracy and minimal noise, is paramount.
4. 16-bit Raw Photo: For better tonal gradations and shadow/highlight recovery in post-processing. Provides more flexibility in post-processing, reducing the likelihood of banding and preserving more detail when making significant adjustments to exposure, contrast, or color grading. A 14-bit image (from an FF camera like R5II) represents 2^14 = 16,384 tonal values per channel, and a 16-bit image (from medium format cameras like the Fuji GFX, Hasselblad X2) represents 2^16 = 65,536 tonal values per channel. So, a 16-bit image capture has 4 times more tonal values than a 14-bit image capture. This significantly enhances the depth of color and the smoothness of gradients, which is especially beneficial for high-quality image processing and photo printing.
5. Specialized Lenses:
   • Ultra-lightweight lenses.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/8 or f/11 aperture.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/2 aperture.
   • Fixed focus lens—no need to focus, lenses that are in focus from near to infinity.
   • Manual focus-only lenses.

By eliminating the need for faster apertures and auto focus (and thereby larger glass and lens group elements), the lens designer can focus on delivering zero distortions, no vignetting, and optimal lens character, resulting in the best overall image quality. A lot of manufacturing costs and complexity can be saved to deliver a superior specialized lens at affordable prices.

6. Specialized Cameras:

• Camera specifically for night photography - with base ISO starting from 12800 and above - delivering superior image quality at higher ISO.
• Camera specifically for infrared/black and white photography.

Current Market Offerings:

Manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony have produced high-megapixel cameras, but not to the extent required, and these often come bundled with features that are not necessarily needed by photographers in these genres. These unnecessary features require high processing power, which could otherwise be used to enhance image quality.

• Video Capabilities: High-end video features such as 8K Raw video are often unnecessary and overkill for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers. These features add significant cost to the cameras without providing benefits that these photographers require.
• High FPS: Features like 30 frames per second (FPS) are tailored for action and wildlife photography but are irrelevant for the typically static subjects of these specialized genres. Photographers in these fields do not need such high FPS capabilities, making this feature an unnecessary cost driver.
• Advanced Auto-focus Systems: Advanced auto-focus features such as subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus are crucial for sports and wildlife photographers. However, these features are irrelevant for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers who often use manual focus or basic auto focus due to the static nature of their subjects.

Unnecessary Features Inflating Costs for a ‘Stills First’ Oriented Camera:

Lately, manufacturers seem to focus on selling expensive video-centric ‘one size fits all’ cameras by adding unnecessary features that inflate costs not required for many genres of photography. The newly launched Canon EOS R5 II, for example, is priced at $4,299 due to its advanced 8K Raw video and auto focus capabilities, which drive up its cost. Similarly, Sony's A7R V, with a 61 MP sensor, includes high-end video features, contributing to its price tag of around $3,899. Though there is demand for such video-centric cameras from a section of the market, this focus on high-end, video feature-packed cameras creates a significant gap in the market for an affordably priced ‘stills first’ camera that prioritizes superior image quality over unnecessary bells and whistles. An affordable, ‘stripped down version’ of these cameras (like the Canon R5II, Sony A7RV, Nikon Z8) without the video, FPS, and auto focus features and the addition of a higher megapixel sensor in the 75-100 MP range would be readily acceptable as a primary/second camera by a range of photographers.



The Gap in the Market:

Despite the availability of high-megapixel cameras, there is a noticeable gap in the market for an affordable FF camera tailored specifically to the needs of this genre of photographers. This gap highlights the need for a product that focuses solely on the attributes that matter most to these photographers:

• Cost Efficiency: By excluding high-end video and auto focus features, manufacturers can reduce production costs and offer a more affordable high-megapixel camera. For instance, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, a high-end medium format camera, is priced at $2,999 and comes close to the ideal landscape-oriented camera. An equivalent camera in full-frame format by Canon, Sony, or Nikon can be priced lower than this. Statistics reveal that when prices are affordable, the volume of sales is higher, benefiting manufacturers as well. It’s a win-win situation. It is also pertinent to note that the cost of the camera is just one part of the cost to photographers; they have to keep supplementing the camera with newer, better lenses, lighter and better tripods, faster computer systems and laptops, color-accurate monitors, and many other accessories. So, cost affordability by curtailing unnecessary features has to be given a top priority by the manufacturers.
• Simplicity and Usability: A streamlined camera designed specifically for these genres would be easier to use, focusing on the essential features needed for capturing stunning images.

Conclusion:

There is a clear need for a dedicated camera that emphasizes high megapixels and superior image quality while excluding unnecessary features such as 8K Raw video, 30 FPS, and advanced auto focus systems like subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus. By developing such a camera, manufacturers can meet the specific demands of landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, providing a cost-effective and highly specialized tool for capturing the beauty and detail of their subjects.



Recommendations:

Manufacturers:

1. To develop a high-megapixel camera tailored for these genres, by eliminating unnecessary features.
2. To engage with actual users and creatives widely, not just a handful of biased social media Influencers.

Consumers:

1. To engage and advocate in forums for cameras that meet their specific needs, encouraging manufacturers to produce specialized equipment.
2. To do due diligence and to be critical of the 'wow hype' created by Influencers / Forum Admins and 'see through vested interests'.

Industry Analysts:

1. To conduct market research to understand the demand for specialized cameras better and influence manufacturers' decisions.

By focusing on these photographers' actual needs, manufacturers can create affordable and better-suited products, enhancing their creative possibilities and addressing a significant market gap.

Fuji GFX is even mentioned.
Maybe I do not understand the purpose of this article but they can just buy that.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

I don't recall who specifically; it was a term used by trolls for some years, before being more widely adopted on here. It's wrong on every level, but I'm clearly fighting a losing battle.

I can track the term "crippled" to EOSHD in reference to the 1DX vs the 1DC.
I can't say that is where it originated but that is as far back as I can trace it on the internet.

The term "cripple hammer" comes from Kasey on his Camera Conspiracy YouTube channel.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

On a selfish note. Maybe Canon will create a "wildlife" version the R3 II. Bump up the megapixels to mid 30's add pre-capture, adjustable frame rate, improved battery (why not) , and the new cross type auto focus. On the other hand, I'd like to have my hair back too.

Would that actually be enough to entice people from the R5 II?
I guess maybe if it were to be much faster.
Place the R3 II between the R5 II and R1 in both speed and resolution.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Just because it was announced on schedule does not mean that the engineers/developers were not rushing to complete features. I am a software engineer and I experience this problem often. ;-)

With firmware updates, the poduction software being release on schedule does not really mean much.
What was meant for production could show up much later.
I highly doubt the R1 was on-time anyway.
Canon barely announced it before the Olympics.
The announcement seemed like such a rush job and was filled with errors.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

they increased the 1 series resolution with the R1/R3.

They have been pretty consistent and very slowly raising the resolution over time, but nothing dramatic.

I do not think Canon can raise the R1 over 24 MP without causing problems for Getty.
Getty has no reason to want any higher since they are mostly delivering photos for web pages.
Canon can do whatever they want with the R3.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

As one who spent 30 years helping to create HDTV, I struggle to see the relevance of 8k for a wide market. Even if screens large enough to do it justice are made, very few homes have a blank wall big enough with seating close enough. optimal viewing distance for 2k is around 3 picture heights. That puts 4k at 1.5 picture heights and 8k at .75 picture heights. That produces a viewing angle that basically allows for only 1 or 2 viewers even with very large screen, so it just doesn't work ergonomically in the home. 8k will have many useful applications, but hard to see general entertainment being one of them, and that likely will limit the need for 8k by professional photographers. 8k doesn't have the impossible problem that 3D/VR has of giving the viewer a headache and disorientation thanks to the appearance of depth without the screen changing actual position, but it is ergonomically impractical to get any significant improvement in perceived resolution over 4k, so hard to see large numbers of folks spending the extra money just for phallic envy.

Quite a lot of people want to use 8K to create sharp 4K.
IMHO some people are overly obsessed with sharpness and that does not just go for video.
Especially now that people mostly view photos and images on their tiny screen phones.

 

[OldDudePhotog]

I've overheard a fashion photographer pushing the idea of a high-resolution to a Canon rep. He (the photographer) was unhappy about the instability caused by the battery grip. He wanted an integrated vertical grip, for when he was shooting a full day. I got the impression that he was shooting full catalogues of fashion in a day.
But still, that was just one person.

I shoot high school track and cross country running, motorsports (motorcycles) and hobby in waterfalls and nature. I really wanted the R1 to have about 36 megapixels to make my sports photography pictures higher resolution. I reserve the R5 for all my nature stuff.

 

[john1970]

The Need for Affordable ‘Stills First’ Landscape Photography-Based Full Frame Cameras with High Megapixels

Introduction:

The landscape photography community, alongside architecture, interior, real estate, hospitality, food, still life, astro-photography, advertising, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, has long sought a camera tailored to its specific needs—one that prioritizes high megapixel counts and superior image quality over features such as video recording, high frame rates (FPS), and advanced auto-focus systems. This text examines the necessity for such a specialized camera and highlights how current market offerings (with the recent launches of cameras like the Canon R5II and Canon R1, R3, Nikon Z8) are not tailored toward this market as they inflate costs by including unnecessary features not required for such genres of photography. Additionally, these bundled features require high processing power, which can otherwise be used to deliver superior image quality in terms of dynamic range and less noise at higher ISO.



The Unique Requirements of Specialized Photography:

Photographers in these specific genres prioritize different attributes compared to other types of photographers. Key requirements include:

1. High Megapixel Count: Essential for capturing fine details in expansive scenes and intricate subjects, allowing for large prints and extensive cropping without loss of quality.
2. Dynamic Range: Crucial for capturing the wide tonal range found in natural scenes, deep shadows, bright highlights, and detailed textures.
3. Image Quality: Superior image quality, including color accuracy and minimal noise, is paramount.
4. 16-bit Raw Photo: For better tonal gradations and shadow/highlight recovery in post-processing. Provides more flexibility in post-processing, reducing the likelihood of banding and preserving more detail when making significant adjustments to exposure, contrast, or color grading. A 14-bit image (from an FF camera like R5II) represents 2^14 = 16,384 tonal values per channel, and a 16-bit image (from medium format cameras like the Fuji GFX, Hasselblad X2) represents 2^16 = 65,536 tonal values per channel. So, a 16-bit image capture has 4 times more tonal values than a 14-bit image capture. This significantly enhances the depth of color and the smoothness of gradients, which is especially beneficial for high-quality image processing and photo printing.
5. Specialized Lenses:
   • Ultra-lightweight lenses.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/8 or f/11 aperture.
   • Fixed aperture lens with fixed f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/2 aperture.
   • Fixed focus lens—no need to focus, lenses that are in focus from near to infinity.
   • Manual focus-only lenses.

By eliminating the need for faster apertures and auto focus (and thereby larger glass and lens group elements), the lens designer can focus on delivering zero distortions, no vignetting, and optimal lens character, resulting in the best overall image quality. A lot of manufacturing costs and complexity can be saved to deliver a superior specialized lens at affordable prices.

6. Specialized Cameras:

• Camera specifically for night photography - with base ISO starting from 12800 and above - delivering superior image quality at higher ISO.
• Camera specifically for infrared/black and white photography.

Current Market Offerings:

Manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony have produced high-megapixel cameras, but not to the extent required, and these often come bundled with features that are not necessarily needed by photographers in these genres. These unnecessary features require high processing power, which could otherwise be used to enhance image quality.

• Video Capabilities: High-end video features such as 8K Raw video are often unnecessary and overkill for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers. These features add significant cost to the cameras without providing benefits that these photographers require.
• High FPS: Features like 30 frames per second (FPS) are tailored for action and wildlife photography but are irrelevant for the typically static subjects of these specialized genres. Photographers in these fields do not need such high FPS capabilities, making this feature an unnecessary cost driver.
• Advanced Auto-focus Systems: Advanced auto-focus features such as subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus are crucial for sports and wildlife photographers. However, these features are irrelevant for landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and studio portrait photographers who often use manual focus or basic auto focus due to the static nature of their subjects.

Unnecessary Features Inflating Costs for a ‘Stills First’ Oriented Camera:

Lately, manufacturers seem to focus on selling expensive video-centric ‘one size fits all’ cameras by adding unnecessary features that inflate costs not required for many genres of photography. The newly launched Canon EOS R5 II, for example, is priced at $4,299 due to its advanced 8K Raw video and auto focus capabilities, which drive up its cost. Similarly, Sony's A7R V, with a 61 MP sensor, includes high-end video features, contributing to its price tag of around $3,899. Though there is demand for such video-centric cameras from a section of the market, this focus on high-end, video feature-packed cameras creates a significant gap in the market for an affordably priced ‘stills first’ camera that prioritizes superior image quality over unnecessary bells and whistles. An affordable, ‘stripped down version’ of these cameras (like the Canon R5II, Sony A7RV, Nikon Z8) without the video, FPS, and auto focus features and the addition of a higher megapixel sensor in the 75-100 MP range would be readily acceptable as a primary/second camera by a range of photographers.



The Gap in the Market:

Despite the availability of high-megapixel cameras, there is a noticeable gap in the market for an affordable FF camera tailored specifically to the needs of this genre of photographers. This gap highlights the need for a product that focuses solely on the attributes that matter most to these photographers:

• Cost Efficiency: By excluding high-end video and auto focus features, manufacturers can reduce production costs and offer a more affordable high-megapixel camera. For instance, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, a high-end medium format camera, is priced at $2,999 and comes close to the ideal landscape-oriented camera. An equivalent camera in full-frame format by Canon, Sony, or Nikon can be priced lower than this. Statistics reveal that when prices are affordable, the volume of sales is higher, benefiting manufacturers as well. It’s a win-win situation. It is also pertinent to note that the cost of the camera is just one part of the cost to photographers; they have to keep supplementing the camera with newer, better lenses, lighter and better tripods, faster computer systems and laptops, color-accurate monitors, and many other accessories. So, cost affordability by curtailing unnecessary features has to be given a top priority by the manufacturers.
• Simplicity and Usability: A streamlined camera designed specifically for these genres would be easier to use, focusing on the essential features needed for capturing stunning images.

Conclusion:

There is a clear need for a dedicated camera that emphasizes high megapixels and superior image quality while excluding unnecessary features such as 8K Raw video, 30 FPS, and advanced auto focus systems like subject tracking, subject recognition, and predictive focus. By developing such a camera, manufacturers can meet the specific demands of landscape, food, still life, astrophotography, and high-end studio portraiture photographers, providing a cost-effective and highly specialized tool for capturing the beauty and detail of their subjects.



Recommendations:

Manufacturers:

1. To develop a high-megapixel camera tailored for these genres, by eliminating unnecessary features.
2. To engage with actual users and creatives widely, not just a handful of biased social media Influencers.

Consumers:

1. To engage and advocate in forums for cameras that meet their specific needs, encouraging manufacturers to produce specialized equipment.
2. To do due diligence and to be critical of the 'wow hype' created by Influencers / Forum Admins and 'see through vested interests'.

Industry Analysts:

1. To conduct market research to understand the demand for specialized cameras better and influence manufacturers' decisions.

By focusing on these photographers' actual needs, manufacturers can create affordable and better-suited products, enhancing their creative possibilities and addressing a significant market gap.

For high MP stills landscapes just buy into the Fuji GFX system. A 100 MP MF sensor will outperform a 100 MP FF sensor because of the larger pixel size. Done.

 

[neuroanatomist]

To conduct market research to understand the demand for specialized cameras better and influence manufacturers' decisions.

All you need to do is look at the MAP Camera top 10 list, right?