Thoughts From Canon on a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

[Canon Rumors]

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<strong>Interview with Canon

</strong>A representative from Canon sat down for an interview to discuss the mirrorless camera possibilities for Canon.</p>
<p>A few of the key points are below.</p>
<ul>
<li>Does a mirrorless camera really need interchangeable lenses?</li>
<li>Can we make a compact or DSLR that can beat the mirrorless cameras? (they believe they have it)</li>
<li>Higher sensitivity rather than high resolution (probably refers to quality over megapixels)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CR’s Take

</strong>I don’t think Canon needs a sub $1000 mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. I think they are more than capable of making a “G” series camera that is higher end than the G12, which would satisfy a majority of the people interested in a mirrorless camera.</p>
<p>If Canon went out and made a niche market full frame $3000 “photographers” mirrorless camera, I think they’d have something worth selling there. However, Canon just doesn’t strike me as a company that cares all that much about satisfying niches, they want to sell millions of cameras.</p>
<p>I think we’re going to see a new PowerShot line that is priced up there with Rebels. It’ll give them the segment that doesn’t want a DSLR, but wants image quality. As well as satisfying the desires of 5D Mark II shooters that want a point and shoot with great IQ.</p>
<p>I know LOTS of people disagree with me on this one. :)</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> [<a href="http://photorumors.com/">PR</a>]</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[smirkypants]

I don't. I think mirrorless is kind of gimmicky. I'm sure if Nikon shows that there's a market for it, they can enter it rather quickly. Until then, there's no sense in not waiting and seeing.

 

[unfocused]

I REALLY wish this article was not a PDF. Can't copy and paste into Google Translate. I found the Impress Japan website but it's all Japanese to me Anyone able to translate full interview (Canon portion only) or identify a web link to the interview that isn't a PDF?, so we can at least run it through the translator.

 

[lol]

I REALLY wish this article was not a PDF. Can't copy and paste into Google Translate. I found the Impress Japan website but it's all Japanese to me Anyone able to translate full interview (Canon portion only) or identify a web link to the interview that isn't a PDF?, so we can at least run it through the translator.

You can copy and paste from the pdf, although it is a bit more work... I tried it, and the googlish that came out didn't make a whole lot of sense. Best wait for human translations.

 

[RT]

Rong Tian Ya's comments are really interesting. Canon is right: a mirrorless camera doesn't need interchangeable lenses. In fact, Fuji demonstrated that a capable mirrorless camera with a fixed lens can be successfully marketed. I rather like that I can swap out lenses on my E-P1, but a highly capable, large sensor with a high quality fixed lens is absolutely a great idea.

I doubt that Canon would go for a single focal length lens like the Fuji - like the admin said, Canon is interested in selling millions, not filling a niche. Something like a 12-16 MP APS-C sensor with a 16-47 (24-70 full frame equivalent) f2.8 lens could be that camera. It could be fairly compact (I'm thinking about as big as the Panasonic G3 with the kit 14-42 lens on it), and had an EVF + tilt-swivel screen, it would be a pretty awesome camera, I think. And here's a way they could make it a "system" camera: sell .6x wide angle and 1.5x telephoto adapters.

If the quality was there, that would be my dream camera, quite frankly.

 

[mjbehnke]

I don't. I think mirrorless is kind of gimmicky. I'm sure if Nikon shows that there's a market for it, they can enter it rather quickly. Until then, there's no sense in not waiting and seeing.

I agree. I think the G-series would be an awesome line-up to bump up to high end quality. It's already a mirror-less camera anyway. And I think the Mirror-less SLR will go the way of the 3D TV.. it's a fad and it will fade.

I can't see spending money on new lenses for a camera with a smaller sensor. Of course that's my humble opinion.

MB

 

[UncleFester]

I don't. I think mirrorless is kind of gimmicky.

I agree. I'm sure that was said about 35mm at some point, but I agree.

 

[Edwin Herdman]

From the first page devoted to Canon, I am pretty sure the first line of the title reads "wanting to release a mirrorless (camera) in 2012." The second line has something to do about good compacts...I'm also having trouble getting anything to copy out, unfortunately :/

 

[RF Bob]

Hum,,,,, I love my G11 but wish the IQ was better. Would love to have a APS-C, 12 MP, High ISO, f2.0 24-70 equivalent camera which is with out a flash and has a good view finder and high quality articulating screen

I also would love to see a Canon VI L rangefinder remade to digital!! Yes, it must be a bit more modern. It would need just a few little lenses: 24mm f2.8, 35mm f2.0, 50mm f2.0, 90mm f2.0,,,,,, or the like. Canons answer to Leica @ 1/3 to 1/2 the cost. I would buy one in a heartbeat. Too bad Canon would never make such a thing.

I don't see the need for another mirrorless interchaingable lens camera. I just don't "get" them!

 

[elflord]

<p>I think we’re going to see a new PowerShot line that is priced up there with Rebels. It’ll give them the segment that doesn’t want a DSLR, but wants image quality. As well as satisfying the desires of 5D Mark II shooters that want a point and shoot with great IQ.</p>

I don't really follow -- you're saying that they don't need mirrorless, but they will make a powershot line with high image quality (and therefore a big sensor). Since this presumably won't be a DSLR, it will not have a mirror, and therefore be "mirrorless".

Are you suggesting that Canon will make a mirrorless fixed zoom lens camera like the Fuji X10 / X100, as opposed to a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera like the Sony NEX, micro 4/3, Nikon 1, or Samsung's NX cameras ?

I agree that they won't do a mirrorless full frame camera -- at the $3k mark, it would be a pro camera, but mirrorless still doesn't have pro camera performance. So far, all the mirrorless cameras are either marketed as upmarket P&Ss, or enthusiast cameras.

I am baffled by the flippant dismissals of mirrorless often posted on this board. While it is not clear that Canon "need" to enter the mirrorless market, it is clear that it makes up a substantial part of the enthusiast market, and more or less is the new high end point and shoot.

 

[takeapic]

Is this in addition to the SX240?

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<strong>Interview with Canon

</strong>A representative from Canon sat down for an interview to discuss the mirrorless camera possibilities for Canon.</p>
<p>A few of the key points are below.</p>
<ul>
<li>Does a mirrorless camera really need interchangeable lenses?</li>
<li>Can we make a compact or DSLR that can beat the mirrorless cameras? (they believe they have it)</li>
<li>Higher sensitivity rather than high resolution (probably refers to quality over megapixels)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CR’s Take

</strong>I don’t think Canon needs a sub $1000 mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.  I think they are more than capable of making a “G” series camera that is higher end than the G12, which would satisfy a majority of the people interested in a mirrorless camera.</p>
<p>If Canon went out and made a niche market full frame $3000 “photographers” mirrorless camera, I think they’d have something worth selling there. However, Canon just doesn’t strike me as a company that cares all that much about satisfying niches, they want to sell millions of cameras.</p>
<p>I think we’re going to see a new PowerShot line that is priced up there with Rebels. It’ll give them the segment that doesn’t want a DSLR, but wants image quality. As well as satisfying the desires of 5D Mark II shooters that want a point and shoot with great IQ.</p>
<p>I know LOTS of people disagree with me on this one. </p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> [<a href=\"http://photorumors.com/\">PR</a>]</p>
<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[unfocused]

I REALLY wish this article was not a PDF. Can't copy and paste into Google Translate. I found the Impress Japan website but it's all Japanese to me Anyone able to translate full interview (Canon portion only) or identify a web link to the interview that isn't a PDF?, so we can at least run it through the translator.

You can copy and paste from the pdf, although it is a bit more work... I tried it, and the googlish that came out didn't make a whole lot of sense. Best wait for human translations.

Really? I got a message that the file was protected by its security settings and cannot be copied. Apparently I'm not as clever as you. Any hints?

By the Way, on another topic, sorry to be critical of others, but I find it very annoying when people copy and paste the HTML when quoting someone else. Can I request that people please use the preview button before posting?

 

[nazdar]

Yep Canon, lets make mirrorless camera with chip from Rebel camera in sleek NEX like body with articulated screen and interchangable lenses!! I would love to use it with that handy 50mm/ F1.8 immediately! I Can't stand small sensor cameras like G series. They are ok but in the end when it happend you to take great picture you always wish to have big sensor camera that time! Always. Although 600D is realy small and light but there is plenty room for something more handy
Not to forget that videographers will start to buy this camera like hotcakes if it will get touchable LCD and decent AF which can works during videoshooting! ;o)

Only it will need some massive slab under the lensmount, like C300 has, to stand some extra lensweight when mounted on tripod.

 

[photo_enthusiast]

</strong>I don’t think Canon needs a sub $1000 mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.  I think they are more than capable of making a “G” series camera that is higher end than the G12, which would satisfy a majority of the people interested in a mirrorless camera.</p>
<p>If Canon went out and made a niche market full frame $3000 “photographers” mirrorless camera, I think they’d have something worth selling there. </p>
<p>I think we’re going to see a new PowerShot line that is priced up there with Rebels. It’ll give them the segment that doesn’t want a DSLR, but wants image quality. As well as satisfying the desires of 5D Mark II shooters that want a point and shoot with great IQ.</p>

I don't disagree either. I think you're 100% right. Nikon's mirrorless doesn't appeal to me. Either you do the interchangeable lenses thing for the IQ, with all the headache, or something else. Why would you go with an alternative that is slightly smaller? If you do need something smaller, you go further and get something like the G Series. The G series needs better IQ.

 

[kmyers1us]

Canon is sitting pretty already with the G12, G13 coming up, and the s100.
Depending on whether size or buttons are more important, these are 2
excellent substitutes for mirrorless. They already have the IQ & fast lenses in these cameras.

I now carry an s100 in my pocket as a second while I have my 7d dressed for wildlife. With the s100 I do nice scenes and videos. If I needed more functions & control, then the g12 or new g13 would be the right choice.

Just what could Canon gain with yet another "me-too" mirrorless with interchangeable lenses?

 

[breningstall]

I have to disagree with you on the question of whether a Canon mirrorless is necessary. Canon desperately needs a high quality camera in a small form factor. Neither the S100 nor the G12 are up to the task, in this regard- each has point-and-shoot sized sensors, clunky zoom operations, tediously slow autofocus, etc. A slight upgrade or a modest sensor size bump won't do the job, what is needed is to rethink the entire operation. While the mirrorless market has become a crowded field, none of the companies have gotten the basic fundamentals right. This is what is needed: 1) a high quality sensor (APS-C or better), 2) fast pancake primes, 3) an viewfinder with strong manual focus capabilities, 4) fast autofocus, at least in single servo mode, and 5) weather sealing to take advantage of mirrorless' ideal size for travel and backpacking. All of these features are in existence, none has been pulled together by a single company. I'm not worried about whether Canon comes through with a mirrorless, though. Even if they don't come out with something in 2012, I expect that one or more other companies will final release a model that fulfills the above criteria. Fuji and Pentax are rumored to have new systems in the works and Samsung and Olympus may or may not get around to release a pro version of their mirrorless lines (I hold out no hope for Sony, those lens choices are abysmal). If Canon wants to continue specializing in monster-size L lenses for pros and flimsy plastic EF-S garbage for people wanting lighter weight, that's their choice, but in that case there will quite a few Canon users (myself included) who will be devoting more of their purchasing dollars toward other brands willing to fill this need.

 

[unfocused]

flimsy plastic EF-S garbage for people wanting lighter weight, that's their choice,

Would that be flimsy plastic like these? http://youtu.be/D1tTBncIsm8

(Longtime readers, I apologize for recycling this video which many of you are already familiar with. Just making a point here.)

 

[Caps18]

Good post breningstall.

There is a market for a travel size crop sensor camera that can fit in a pocket. I'm not sure Canon is the company that will get there first however, and I think they should take the G12 and turn it into this camera.

A lot of people are just using their phones to take pictures now, so I would think that there would be a more of a market fr a higher end portable camera for those who care about the quality and different photos a real camera can take.

 

[Jnewton]

Personally, I'd like to see a full size sensor mirrorless body with interchangeable lens. If the price was in the 1000-1500 dollars I'd be all over it. Something along the lines of the M9 would be great. As for it being a niche, well, maybe, but I know several people who would crawl all over such a camera. Maybe it is time for canon to explore the "niche" market.

John Newton

 

[unfocused]

A lot of people are just using their phones to take pictures now, so I would think that there would be a more of a market fr a higher end portable camera for those who care about the quality and different photos a real camera can take.

This is what I can't get past. The majority of people are happy just using their phones. Serious enthusiasts are more likely to go for DSLRs. The point-and-shoot market is over-saturated already and being eroded by phones. So, where do these mirrorless cameras fit in? The mirrorless are as expensive as a DSLR. Are they selling them primarily to gadget freaks who just want the latest technology?

While I would definitely go for a Fuji/Leica style APS-C rangefinder, I don't think of that as a mass consumer market camera.

I can't shake the feeling that the Sony, Panasonic, etc. mirrorless represent a transitional technology. I've no doubt that Canon is watching the market closely and if and when they jump in, they have the resources to offer a category killer if they choose. I'd love to see what their market research shows.