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Canon EOS R5 review

23 Oct

Introduction

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All product photography by Dan Bracaglia

91%

Overall score

Jump to conclusion

Canon’s EOS R5 is an excellent camera for professionals or anyone that’s looking for a supremely capable option for almost any type of photography, from sports and action to studio portraits and landscapes.

It’s a 45MP full-frame mirrorless camera that can shoot clips of 8K video, has impressive Dual Pixel autofocus and excellent ergonomics. It can also capture 10-bit HDR stills and video for HDR display and is the spiritual (and mirrorless) successor to Canon’s 5D-series DSLR cameras. It’s not a perfect camera, but we think it’s an excellent and highly competitive addition to an already crowded field of competent high-resolution full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Key specifications:

45MP full-frame Dual Pixel CMOS sensor
8K video, with option for Raw or 10-bit 4:2:2 C-log or HDR PQ
Up to 4K/120p, or oversampled 4K up to 30p
100% coverage Dual Pixel II AF system with human and animal detection trained by machine learning
12 fps / 20 fps bursts (mech. / elec. shutter)
5.76M-dot OLED EVF with 120fps max refresh rate
3.2″ 2.1M-dot fully articulating touchscreen
10-bit HDR photos in HEIF format
1x CFexpress slot, 1x UHS-II SD slot
Claimed weather-sealing to EOS 5D Mark IV levels
2.4/5Ghz Wi-FI with Bluetooth and FTP connectivity
CIPA rated to around 320 shots (using EVF)

Out-of-camera JPEG.
ISO 100 | 1/400 sec | F2.8 | Canon RF 28-70mm F2L @ 70mm

As you can see from the spec list, there’s a lot to cover. The EOS R5 is available now for $ 3899 USD body-only, or $ 4999 with the RF 24-105mm F4L lens.

Next page: What’s new and how it compares

Review index

What’s new and how it compares

The EOS R5 has a lot of new features inside and out. We’ll go through what they are, and why they matter, here.

Canon has banished the EOS R’s touchbar and put a very nice AF joystick in its place. Overall, the R5 is a really pleasant camera to use.

The EOS R5 offers strong JPEG and Raw performance; find out the details here.

Canon’s EOS R5 does a great job with high-contrast scenes, like sunrises and sunsets.

There aren’t a ton of settings you need to fiddle with on the EOS R5 to get the most of its AF system…but you should check out one or two of them right here.

This might be the hottest part of the review.

(Read about EOS R5 overheating issues and its overall video quality here.)

The EOS R5 is absolutely the ‘mirrorless EOS 5D’ for most users. Find out why, right here.

Peruse our huge sample gallery full of JPEGs, Raws and processed Raw images from a full-production EOS R5.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Manfrotto launches its own Canon, Nikon camera batteries and dual-bay charger

23 Oct

Manfrotto has introduced its own-brand camera batteries and a dual-bay charger that will be available exclusively in the USA. The lithium-ion batteries fit Canon and Nikon cameras, and are said to offer enhanced performance over standard batteries.

The HLX-E6N battery for Canon is a replacement for Canon’s LP-E6N, but the Manfrotto version offers 2000mAh over Canon’s 1865mAh. The Nikon alternative has slightly greater capacity than the 1900mAh of Nikon’s EN-EL15A and EN-EL15B batteries, but slightly less than the 2280mAh capacity of the EN-EL-15C.

The ProCube charger can accommodate two batteries of the same type and charge them simultaneously. The charger is compatible with batteries from Sony cameras as well as those from Canon and Nikon. An LCD panel shows charging progress as a percentage as well as in mAh, and also informs users of the health of the cells. The charging bay plate is interchangeable, so those with more than one brand of camera will be able to use the camera charging unit with different plates, and AA batteries can also be charged via a further included plate.

Sharp-eyed readers will note the striking similarity between the Manfrotto ProCube with its new batteries and the ProCube and batteries currently available from Hähnel. Perhaps existing Hähnel charging plates for other brands and battery types will also be compatible with this Manfrotto version. While Manfrotto has no track record in battery technology Hähnel does, and it is a pretty good one at that, so we can assume these will be very good alternatives to those supplied by the camera manufacturers.

Manfrotto Professional Batteries will cost $ 49.99, while the ProCube will cost $ 79.99 including adapters for European and UK plugs. For more information see the Manfrotto website.

Press release

NEW PROFESSIONAL BATTERIES AND CHARGERS FROM MANFROTTO

High quality batteries
Charge 2 batteries simultaneously, or 4 AA batteries
Intelligent fast IC charge control

Vitec Imaging Distribution, world leader in the photography and videography, imaging equipment and accessories industry announces their new range of batteries and chargers – the first they have produced.

High quality batteries
Exclusive to the US, Manfrotto batteries and chargers go above and beyond the standard offerings currently on the market. With faster, more efficient charging and higher quality batteries, the Manfrotto Professional li-ion batteries deliver additional capacity, extra performance and ultimate reliability. The best UL approved cells have been carefully selected to ensure an extended life cycle, performance and safety.

Think all batteries are the same? Think again. The Professional li-ion batteries have been built to withstand tough environments and extreme field conditions – each battery has been injected with silicone giving them a shock absorbing construction, superior circuit protection and additional electrical insulation. They are drop proof up to 9ft, so you know you can rely on them whatever environment you are in.

Simultaneous charging
It isn’t easy to replenish two batteries at the end of the shoot as cameras are only supplied with the means to charge one. The Manfrotto ProCUBE will give you the capability to charge 2 batteries at the same time. It features a sturdy metal shell and interchangeable plates that each accept a pair of batteries as well as a plate for charging four AA batteries. The battery holders simply clip into place, whilst the AA plate fixes magnetically onto the top of the unit. The Manfrotto ProCUBE is an essential piece of kit for professionals who use multiple cameras from the same brand.

The easy to read LCD display shows the charging status of each battery as well as a battery health check, and the USB Power Source and Car Charging Cable means you can charge wherever your shoot takes you. US, Euro and UK plug adapters are also included.

The Professional Batteries are available for Canon and Nikon. MAP $ 49.99

The ProCube Chargers are available for Canon, Nikon and Sony. MAP $ 79.99.

For more information see https://manfrotto.com/us-en/products/batteries-chargers/

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The new Canon EOS M50 Mark II brings autofocus and video refinements

14 Oct

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Canon has just announced the EOS M50 Mark II, a relatively minor update to one of its most popular mirrorless models. The M50 Mark II shares the same 24MP APS-C sensor with its predecessor, and the same Digic 8 image processor. The Dual Pixel autofocus system has been updated to allow for eye tracking in both stills and video, and users can now capture vertical video and stream to YouTube Live over a smartphone internet connection.

The rest of the camera’s specs are largely unchanged. Video tops out at 4K/24p with a heavy 1.5x crop, and autofocus in 4K is contrast-detect only. Full HD comes with Dual Pixel autofocus, and you can capture slow-motion up to 120p. On the stills side, a new electronic shutter option is available and burst speeds top out at 7.4fps with continuous autofocus. The camera is CIPA-rated to capture 305 images on a charge, but of course, you can expect much more in general use.

The EOS M50 Mark II will be available in late November 2020 for $ 599 USD body-only, $ 699 USD as a kit with the 15-45mm F3.5-6.3, and $ 929 USD as a kit with the 15-45mm and 55-200mm F4.5-6.3 lenses.

Press release:

Improved eye autofocus paired with new video and streaming functions make the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera a strong imaging tool for content creators and imaging storytellers

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 14, 2020 –– Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the EOS M50 Mark II Interchangeable Lens Camera, the successor to the #1 selling mirrorless camera in the U.S. market – the EOS M50*. An all-in-one product for content creators with improved video features and autofocus capabilities, the EOS M50 Mark II is the latest, high-quality digital imaging camera in the notable EOS lineup.

“Our customer base includes future content creators and imaging storytellers; it’s in our best interest to continuously provide high-quality products that are easy to use in the creative world of photography and video content creation, as well as streaming,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Canon U.S.A., Inc. Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “The EOS M50 Mark II continues to pave the way for photography and video enthusiasts to experience a lightweight interchangeable lens camera with many similar features as our full-frame professional mirrorless cameras.”

For the family who strives for high-quality output when capturing their precious moments or for the budding social media creator, the added and improved capabilities of the EOS M50 Mark II camera make the upgrade to an ILC extremely appealing. The new features include:

Improved autofocus including eye autofocus for stills and video
Vertical video shooting support
Vari-angle touchscreen LCD with newly added tap video record button and movie self-timer for better vlogging experience
High quality webcam capability, when used with compatible services, with the free EOS Webcam Utility software or Clean HDMI output
Wireless YouTube Live streaming capability**
The ability to tap the screen to auto focus on your subject while looking through the EVF, helping to control who the main focus of the image is

The EOS M50 Mark II camera is inclusive of many of the beloved features of its predecessor. Overall, the EOS M50 Mark II is a well-balanced package deal for those interested in both still photography and videography – including those with sparks of social media content creation, thanks to the 4K UHD 24p. Providing a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 8 image processor and built in Wi-Fi^® and Bluetooth^® technology, as well as access to image.canon cloud service for better workflow, the EOS M50 Mark II camera remains compact and a lightweight addition to your carry bag.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera is scheduled to be available in Late November 2020 at an estimated retail price of $ 599.99 – body only, $ 699.99 for the camera body plus EF-M 15-45mm lens kit and $ 929.99 for the camera body plus EF-M 15-45mm and EF-M55-200mm double zoom lens kit.

* Source: The NPD Group, Inc. U.S. Retail Tracking Service, Mirrorless Detachable Lens Cameras, Based on camera family unit sales, Jan. 2020 – Aug. 2020 combined.

** The live streaming service available with this product is for live streaming on YouTube only. To use live streaming, you need to have an active YouTube account and an image.canon account. Please be aware that YouTube may change, stop, or terminate its services, including live streaming, at any time without notice. In accordance with YouTube’s “Restrictions on live streaming” users must have a minimum of 1,000 channel subscribers in order to live stream from a mobile device (including camera products with live streaming capability). For up-to-date information from YouTube on restrictions, please visit https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853834?hl=en. Canon makes no representations or warranties with respect to any third party product or service, including live streaming.

Canon EOS M50 II specifications

Price
MSRP	$ 599 (body only), $ 699 (w/15-45mm lens), $ 929 (w/15-45 and 55-200mm lenses)
Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Composite
Sensor
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	26 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Digic 8
Color space	sRGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200)
Boosted ISO (maximum)	51200
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
File format	JPEG (Exif v2.31) Raw (Canon CR3 14-bit) C-Raw (Canon .CR3)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	143
Lens mount	Canon EF-M
Focal length multiplier	1.6×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program Shutter priority Aperture priority Manual
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash range	5.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash	Yes
Flash modes	Evaluative (face priority), Evaluative, Average
Flash X sync speed	1/200 sec
Drive modes	Single Continuous Self-timer
Continuous drive	10.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 @ 120p / 52 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 @ 60p / 26 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging	No
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	305
Weight (inc. batteries)	387 g (0.85 lb / 13.65 oz)
Dimensions	116 x 88 x 59 mm (4.57 x 3.46 x 2.32″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The Canon PowerShot Zoom fits in your pocket and zooms to 400mm

14 Oct

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Canon has just released the details on the PowerShot Zoom, an extremely compact digital monocular. Users can view scenes through an electronic viewfinder at switchable 100mm or 400mm focal lengths, and then digitally zoom to 800mm (all 35mm-equivalent).

Of course, a modest sensor and aperture make it possible to cram all that reach into your pocket, and the Zoom has a 1/3″ sensor capable of taking 12MP JPEG images (no Raw capture is supported) or 1080/30p video through the F5.6-6.3 lens. The ISO ranges from 100 to 3200, and we’d expect the Zoom to be best-suited for daytime use with plenty of light. There’s also optical image stabilization and AF tracking with face detection, and the Zoom will focus down to 1m (3.28ft) at 100mm and 4.5m (14.76ft) at 400mm.

Sample images

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Given the stills and video specs, it’s not surprising that Canon is pitching the Zoom mostly as a ‘viewer,’ allowing users up-close and personal looks at wildlife, sports matches, live music or general travel use. However, a familiar PowerShot user interface and wireless connectivity do make it easy to send supertelephoto images to your phone for quick sharing. You can also save them to a MicroSD card.

On its built-in USB-C chargeable battery, the PowerShot Zoom will run for around 70 minutes as a viewer and capture around 150 images before running out of power. Movie clips top out at 9:59 before needing to restart a new clip. The PowerShot Zoom comes with no claims of environmental sealing.

The PowerShot Zoom will be available in November 2020 for $ 299 USD.

Press release:

Canon debuts the company’s first-ever, Compact Telephoto Monocular, the PowerShot ZOOM

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 14, 2020 –– Hiking, birdwatching and nature gazing, consumers are embracing the beauty of the outdoors this season and beyond. With this in mind, it is important to have a convenient and intuitive imaging tool to explore the world. Developed to showcase an impressive telephoto reach in a user friendly, compact design, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launches the PowerShot ZOOM, the company’s first telephoto monocular.

The lightweight telephoto monocular sports 100mm, 400mm and 800mm telephoto viewing capability¹ with a one-touch switch, and is equipped with impressive instant zoom capability to help users view distant subjects. Additionally, the monocular can capture images and videos to a micro SD card, and by pairing it with a compatible smart device² and the Canon Camera Connect app³, these files can easily be downloaded. This pairing feature transforms the PowerShot ZOOM monocular into a friendly companion to compatible smartphones for viewing and capturing super-telephoto scenes.

“In today’s ever-changing world, consumers are looking for intuitive and portable imaging tools to view telephoto scenes up close and with ease,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Built for those users who enjoy outdoor activities, the PowerShot ZOOM monocular delivers a small, compact viewer with a long focal length. We are eager to see how consumers use this tool and the convenience it will add to their daily lives.”

In addition to its zoom capability, compact size and ability to pair with compatible smartphones, the PowerShot ZOOM telephoto monocular also features:

Auto focus when viewing through the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and recording images and video with face tracking
Optical Image Stabilization for shake correction
39 inches, 2.36 million dots EVF
12-megapixel still-image capture
Full HD video capture up to 30p (29.97)
Wi-Fi^®, Bluetooth^® connection with the Canon Camera Connect app and use of compatible mobile devices²
Live view and download of photos and videos with the use of the Canon Camera Connect app³
USB C terminal for charging and supplying power
Micro SD memory card slot

???Price & Availability

???????Available in white, the Canon PowerShot ZOOM compact telephoto monocular is scheduled to be available in late November 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 299.99*. For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.

*Availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

¹ 35mm film equivalent focal length. Both 100mm and 400mm uses optical lens and 800mm uses 2x digital zoom.

²Compatible with iOS® versions 12.4/13.7, Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 6.0/7.0/7.1/8.0/8.1/9.0/10. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app.

³This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app. Compatible with select smartphone and tablet devices (Android™ version 5.0 or later and the following iOS® devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen. or later, iPod Touch 5th gen.or later) equipped with Bluetooth® version 4.1 or later and the Camera Connect App Ver. 2.7.10. This application is not guaranteed to operate on all listed devices, even if minimum requirements are met.

Canon PowerShot Zoom specifications

Price
MSRP	$ 299
Body type
Body type	Compact
Sensor
Max resolution	4000 x 3000
Image ratio w:h	4:3
Effective pixels	12 megapixels
Sensor size	1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Image
Image stabilization	Optical
Uncompressed format	No
File format	JPEG
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.)	100–400 mm
Optical zoom	4×
Maximum aperture	F5.6–6.3
Digital zoom	Yes (2x)
Normal focus range	100 cm (39.37″)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	No
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone	Stereo
Storage
Storage types	MicroSD
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless	Built-In
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Built-in
Battery description	800 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	150
Weight (inc. batteries)	145 g (0.32 lb / 5.11 oz)
Dimensions	33 x 51 x 103 mm (1.31 x 2 x 4.06″)

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Hands-on with the the Canon PowerShot Zoom

14 Oct

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

From clunky concept mockup to final shipping product, the Canon PowerShot Zoom has been a long time coming. We first saw an early working sample at the CP+ show in Japan, last February. Back then it was a boxy, colorful camera with a simple button-driven interface, which evolved over the course of a year into a slimmer, subtler and much more rounded design, last seen at CES 2020. The final product looks a lot like that last concept, but with some subtle changes.

Read on to learn more about this unusual camera.

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

The PowerShot Zoom is a 12MP compact camera, which can capture stills (JPEG only) and video (Full HD up to 30p.)

Where the last working concept of what is now called the PowerShot Zoom featured five buttons, all on the top, the final shipping camera (Canon is calling it a ‘monocular’) simplifies the top layout even further to just three buttons, none of which is a shutter control. The lozenge-shaped button is the zoom toggle, and sits perilously close to the power and menu buttons. I say ‘perilously’ because with your eye to the finder, they’re so close together that it’s easy to accidentally press the wrong one. Ask me how I know.

The Zoom can be used one-handed, but is more stable (and a little more usable) with two.

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

The shutter and movie-record buttons are positioned below the EVF, adjacent to a diopter control. Unusually (but logically) the shutter button is labeled ‘PHOTO’. The shutter button can be half-pressed to focus, and takes a picture when fully depressed. The shutter is electronic, and a brief flash of the outline around the EVF image is your only indication that a picture has been taken.

In use, I’ve found it easiest to use these controls with the thumb of my right hand (which holds the camera), with my left hand reserved for toggling the zoom control on the top of the camera.

The controls themselves are adequate, but the control interface (when you need to use it) is hard to get used to. When I unpacked the PowerShot Zoom for the first time I was really hoping that the diopter wheel was a control wheel, but sadly not. Menus are navigated and options selected using the buttons alone. The hardest thing is setting the date – I challenge anyone to do it without turning the camera off accidentally at least a couple of times (I did it five times, but perhaps I’m unusually stupid).

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

At the heart of the PowerShot Zoom is a 12MP 1/3in sensor, behind a 2-position zoom lens, which can be used at either 100mm or 400mm (equivalent). Early concepts included an intermediate 200mm position, but in the end Canon went with a simple 100/400mm toggle.

The lens is pretty complex, being made up of no fewer than 11 elements in eight groups, but there’s no specialty glass or aspherical elements. It is optically stabilized, and while Canon does not quote a figure for the exact amount of stabilization, it was easily capable of steadying compositions at 400mm on a very windy day here in Seattle.

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Slightly surprisingly, the PowerShot Zoom records pictures and videos to a physical memory card. I rummaged around in my drawers for this fairly old 8GB Micro SD (good for almost 1,000 images according to the camera’s info display). Using the Canon Camera Connect app, images can be downloaded to a smart device and edited, shared or saved to your camera roll.

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

The battery, however, is non-removable, and is charged over USB C (a cable is included). The 800 mAh battery is good for 150 images (CIPA). A full charge from empty takes just under two hours.

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Despite its tiny size, the PowerShot Zoom features a decent electronic viewfinder, featuring 2.36 million dots and an automatic switch to turn off the display when you take the camera away from your eye. The view is crisp and clear, but in common with a lot of cheaper compact cameras, the preview image doesn’t always match the final picture once you’re able to get it off the camera and take a closer look. Typically, I’ve found that captured images lack a little of the ‘bite’ of the preview image in the EVF.

100mm

When you first turn on the PowerShot Zoom, the lens is set to 100mm (equivalent). While technically this is the ‘wide’ setting, 100mm is still pretty long, and the minimum focus of 1m (3.3 ft) precludes closeup work. There is no macro setting, either.

400mm

Image quality at 400mm is slightly lower than it is at 100mm, but when shooting distant objects, as always, air quality and thermal haze can also be a factor when it comes to sharpness. At 400mm minimum focus is 4.5m (14.6 ft)

Autofocus performance is pretty good with decent light, but prone to hunting in lower light levels. You have two AF modes: face detection + tracking (a sensible default, which works reliably well for most subjects) and single point AF as an option. Continuous AF can also be toggled on/off.

800mm (digital zoom)

Like all digital zoom options, the Zoom’s ‘800mm’ setting is handy, but not great from a critical image quality point of view. It’s basically just a crop, upsized in-camera to 12MP. Convenient (and good enough for sharing over a text message or on Facebook) but nothing special.

Final thoughts

With an MSRP of $ 299, the PowerShot Zoom falls outside of the realm of ‘impulse buy’ for most people, but there are some definite use-cases. I can see it being a hit among birders, for example, and for casual documentation of garden wildlife. Similarly, if package cruises ever become a thing again, I can imagine a pocketable 400mm lens being pretty handy for taking pictures of penguins on melting ice sheets etc., from the comfort of a 7-story high floating hotel.

The still image quality of the PowerShot Zoom is no match for a more conventional camera, or even for a smartphone, but that’s really not the point. What it offers is a telephoto lens in a small, lightweight and hand-holdable form factor. No current smartphone can offer true telephoto without a digital zoom, making the PowerShot Zoom a powerful companion for anyone who regularly wants to share images of (for example) birds, boats or aircraft without the need for bulky, expensive gear.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon Japan launches range of EOS-inspired traditional cut-glass tumblers

13 Oct

To inspire users before a shoot, or to help them unwind after one, Canon Japan has launched a range of traditional ‘Edo Kiriko’ cut glass tumblers with designs based on photography themes. The company has employed the Mitsuwa Glass Crafts studio in Tokyo that uses traditional Edo Kiriko cutting techniques to shape light as it passes through the glass. The studio has come up with a series of designs that either look like a lens, feel like the dials on an EOS camera, actually have a lens designed into the base or which are decorated with the visual expression of the sound of a shutter.

There are two basic shapes of glasses to choose from, each with variations in the design of the cuts and patterns. One has the ribbed pattern of a lens focusing ring cut into the sides and is made from a mixture of black and clear glass, while others have an aperture iris pattern in the base and come in red or blue glass.

The designer said that the idea was to capture the things we can’t see in the lines cut into the glass such as the sound of a shutter tripping, as well as the shapes and patterns of light.

Edo Kiriko is a particular way of cutting glass in Japan and is considered a highly skilled craft. All glasses have to be cut by hand and have to use specific materials, and when colored a very thin layer has to be used – which made creating the jet black especially difficult.

The glasses will be available to order from December but may take up to three months for delivery as they are all handmade. Prices will be from ¥13000 (approx. $ 125). While these glasses are made for Canon users they can be enjoyed by owners of all camera brands without adapters. For more information see the Canon Japan website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon to Release 16 New RF Lenses Before the End of 2021

12 Oct

The post Canon to Release 16 New RF Lenses Before the End of 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Canon’s full-frame mirrorless lineup has seen the addition of two incredible camera bodies this year, but Canon is determined to keep shooting for the stars.

According to Canon Rumors, we’ll likely see the addition of a whopping 16 new lenses to the RF lineup before 2021 is out. These will round out Canon’s existing set of RF lenses and fill in key gaps, while doubling the native options for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless shooters.

While the 2021 lens roadmap isn’t confirmed, Canon Rumors claims that it “comes from a great source” and that “most, if not all [is] accurate.”

So what are these 16 lenses we’ll be getting over the next year?

First, we should see the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, which is supposedly “about the size of a coke can;” if this is accurate, then Canon shooters are in for a treat. A compact 70-200mm f/4 lens that you can carry everywhere is a dream come true for plenty of photographers, including landscape photographers after intimate nature shots, as well as some portrait photographers and potentially even street snappers.

We’ll also get the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. This is the RF version of the ultra-popular Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, and Canon Rumors claims that it will be “better optically and in build quality than the EF version.” Expect that it’ll be relatively affordable, giving hobbyist shooters a clear-cut entry point into the Canon mirrorless world and giving more serious photographers a lightweight prime to keep on the camera when shooting casually.

Honestly, these two lenses are alone worth the hype, but add to it 14 additional lenses and you’ve got yourself a truly robust lens lineup.

Here are the other Canon RF lenses you can expect to see before 2021 is out:

Canon TS-R (tilt-shift) 14mm f/4L
Canon TS-R (tilt-shift) 24mm f/3.5L
Canon RF 10-24mm f/4L
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Canon RF 135mm f/1.4L USM
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-7.1 USM
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM

Key among these new lenses are a slew of super-telephoto primes, including a 400mm f/2.8, a 500mm f/4, and a 600mm f/4, all of which will serve wildlife and bird photographers well. And the ultra-wide zooms (the 10-24mm f/4 and the 14-35mm f/4) should certainly be compelling for landscape photographers of all stripes, especially if Canon can keep the price down to a reasonable level.

For Canon shooters, this has been a good year.

And next year is shaping up to be even more exciting. It’s clear that Canon is now all-in with regard to their full-frame mirrorless lens lineup.

So if you’ve been thinking about grabbing a Canon mirrorless body, now’s a great time!

Now over to you:

What do you think of these 16 new RF lenses? Which lenses interest you the most? Are you impressed by Canon’s dedication to its RF-mount? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Canon to Release 16 New RF Lenses Before the End of 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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Exploring Monte Cristo ghost town with Sam Horine and the Canon EOS R5

05 Oct

The Canon EOS R5 is a powerful stills and video camera, designed for enthusiast and professional users. With a high-resolution full-frame sensor and advanced human and animal face and eye-detection, the EOS R5 is a versatile option for travel and portraiture. As well as stills, the R5 can also capture HD, 4K and 8K video.

Join Seattle-based photographer Sam Horine as he uses the EOS R5 to explore the ghost town of Monte Cristo, in Washington State. Wildflowers, campfires and the cosmos – oh my!

Monte Cristo ghost town: Sample images

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This is sponsored content, created with the support of Amazon and Canon. What does this mean?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS

05 Oct

The post Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

2020 is Canon’s year.

First we get the EOS R5 and R6, two powerhouse cameras that have revolutionized Canon’s mirrorless lineup (and, in some ways, the world of mirrorless more generally).

And now it looks like we’ll be seeing another impressive mirrorless model before the year is out, this time as an addition to Canon’s APS-C mirrorless arsenal:

The EOS M50 Mark II, the successor to the fantastic EOS M50.

While the EOS M50 Mark II’s release isn’t yet official, camera product listings have prompted Canon Rumors to declare that the new mirrorless body is “confirmed.”

And according to Canon Rumors, the EOS M50 Mark II will include a 32.5 MP sensor (up from 24 MP on the EOS M50), as well as improved autofocus, 14 frames-per-second continuous shooting (compared to 10 fps on the EOS M50), 4K/60p capabilities without a crop, one SD card slot, and a 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder (up from the 2.36M-dot EVF on the EOS M50). You can also expect compatibility (via an adapter) with Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, though Canon also offers a decent range of EF-M glass.

In other words, the EOS M50 Mark II will be impressive indeed. Photographers will be able to harness the detail of a 30+ megapixel sensor while maintaining the speed of an action camera. And while we don’t know if the 14 fps specification only applies when using AF-S autofocus, worst-case scenario puts the EOS M50 Mark II at around 10 fps when set to AF-C, which is not bad at all for serious action shooters.

Personally, I’m most looking forward to the electronic viewfinder. I find EVFs below 3.69M-dot tough to use, and it’s hard to overstate the value of a good electronic viewfinder. After all, it’s what defines your entire shooting experience, especially if you’re the type that shoots frequently through the viewfinder rather than working with Live View on the rear LCD.

Overall, the EOS M50 Mark II appears to be something of an all-around camera for beginners and intermediate photographers (while still perfectly capable of professional-quality shots). And the 4K/60p video is a nice addition for hybrid shooters and vloggers, especially given the limitations of the EOS M50’s 4K/24p video (it comes with a frustrating 1.7x crop).

So if you’re looking for a powerful camera that offers a lot of resolution, impressive speed, and a (likely) reasonable price tag, then keep an eye out for the official EOS M50 Mark II announcement over the next few months.

Now over to you:

What do you think about these EOS M50 Mark II features? Are you impressed? Disappointed? Do you plan to purchase the EOS M50 Mark II?

The post Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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Canon purchases new supercomputer system to further its ‘no-prototype’ product development ambitions

29 Sep

Fujitsu Limited announced last week that Canon Inc. has ordered a new supercomputer. The purchase signals that Canon is progressing with its plans to develop products without the need for prototypes, thereby reducing development costs and increasing development efficiency.

The system Canon ordered includes a Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX1000 unit. Canon has previously used Fujitsu PRIMEHPC FX10 and PRIMEHPC FX100 supercomputer systems. The new FX1000 unit includes class-leading technology from Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer. Fugaku, a petascale supercomputer, was jointly developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu starting in 2014. Fugaku is scheduled to begin operation next year. When tested in June, it became the fastest supercomputer in the world. Fugaku has an expected theoretical computational performance of 648.8 teraflops.

Fujitsu Limited also announced that upon its completion, the supercomputer headed to Canon will play a critical role in Canon’s ‘no-prototype’ product development plans. The supercomputer will allow for ‘enhanced capabilities and scope of applicability of analysis in Canon’s product development process.’ Fujitsu and Canon anticipate the supercomputer to begin operations during the first half of 2021.

Sample image of a simulation created using an existing supercomputer. This is a simulation of a Canon inkjet printer being dropped while in its packaging. With the new FX1000, Canon will be able to perform much more complicated simulations of impacts and much more. Image credit: Canon.

Canon’s ‘no-prototype’ initiative applies to the development of numerous products, including cameras. Canon is utilizing 3D CAD data in ‘analytical simulations to evaluate multiple facets of proposed products, including functionality, as well as ease of manufacturing.’ The PRIMEHPC FX1000 system, which includes 192 nodes, will allow Canon to produce larger scale analyses and simulations, including simulations with over 100 million total elements. The new system will also Canon to produce analyses of simulated airflow and electromagnetic waves.

In its coverage of this announcement, PetaPixel speculates that Canon is working hard to catch up to the fast and furious development cycle of Sony and its mirrorless cameras and that a new supercomputer can speed up Canon’s development cycles.

Fujitsu PRIMEHPC supercomputer have numerous applications, including aiding in establishing a product development and manufacturing cycle that isn’t reliant upon prototypes. Image credit: Fujitsu

It stands to reason that if Canon can quickly simulate many iterations of a product it is developing rather than need to construct real-world prototypes, the revision process will be quicker. Further, leveraging a class-leading supercomputer may allow for deep analyses of products that may have otherwise taken Canon far too long or been outright impossible.

Ultimately, how the FX1000 supercomputer system will impact Canon’s product development cycles remains to be seen. The system should be operational in the first half of 2021, but of course, the development cycle of something like a new camera is quite lengthy.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Posts Tagged ‘Canon’

Introduction

Key specifications:

Review index

What’s new and how it compares

Body, controls and handling

Image quality

Dynamic range

Autofocus and performance

Video

Conclusion

Sample gallery

NEW PROFESSIONAL BATTERIES AND CHARGERS FROM MANFROTTO

Improved eye autofocus paired with new video and streaming functions make the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera a strong imaging tool for content creators and imaging storytellers

Canon EOS M50 II specifications

Sample images

Canon debuts the company’s first-ever, Compact Telephoto Monocular, the PowerShot ZOOM

???Price & Availability

Canon PowerShot Zoom specifications

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

Hands-on with the Canon PowerShot Zoom

100mm

400mm

800mm (digital zoom)

Final thoughts

Monte Cristo ghost town: Sample images