Canon pre-Photokina 2010 announcements
In about three weeks the photographic industry will converge on Cologne, Germany for the bi-annual photo technology-fest. Some of the biggest industry announcements are always made around Photokina, and this year is no exception.
This year Canon has put out exciting number of glass and magnesium… Mostly updates, but nonetheless we can observe significant advancement in weight/size reduction and also prices of course…
Canon EOS 60D
Canon’s X0D series has, throughout its life been the company’s offering for a range of photographers from enthusiasts and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. Each model offered a high enough specification (usually in terms of build quality and AF sophistication) to ensure it was both aspirational and attainable for users who had out-grown their Rebel/XX0D series. However, the feature set always left a sizeable gap below the company’s full-blown ‘pro’ models.
The arrival of the EOS 7D, with its highly configurable 19-point AF system and 8 frame per second capability changed much of this – here was a mini 1D that drew the attention of many people who previously would have been X0D customers. However, the price tag (a 30% premium over the 50D at launch), pushed it beyond the reach of most people who weren’t making at least a bit of money from their photography.
The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Canon needed something to balance out the EOS range to fill the big gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Canon has released the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, aimed at being an affordable ‘L’-grade telephoto lens. It offers a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus motor, weatherproof construction, claimed four-stop image stabilization and a minimum focus distance of 1.2m, all in a package about the same size as the existing EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. Additional features include an 8-bladed circular aperture, full-time manual focus override, and an optional tripod mount ring.
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM fisheye zoom lens
Canon has announced the EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM, the world’s first fisheye zoom lens to offer both ‘circular’ and ‘full frame’ images. This replacement for the EF 15mm F2.8 fisheye will produce circular images with a 180 degree angle of view when used at its widest setting on 35mm-format cameras such as the EOS 5D Mark II, and images which cover the full sensor area at 15mm. It also incorporates marks at intermediate zoom positions denoting the widest settings which can be used on APS-C and APS-H format cameras to give full frame images without vignetting. The lens features weatherproof construction, including water-repellant Fluorine coating on the front and rear elements, and Canon’s ‘Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating’ to minimize flare and ghosting.
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Canon has introduced updated versions of two of its professional telephoto lenses, in the shape of the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Both feature completely new optical designs, along with lighter weight construction employing magnesium alloy and titanium. Sub Wavelength Structure coatings are employed to minimize flare, plus water-repellant Fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. A new IS mode has been added that activates stabilization only during exposure, alongside a ‘Power Focus’ mode for video shooting. The upgrades are rounded off by the addition of repositionable AF stop buttons and a choice of tripod mounts.
Canon 500mm F/4L IS II USM and the 600mm F/4L IS II USM
Canon has announced it is developing updated versions of its 500mm and 600mm f/4L IS USM professional lenses. Similar to the 300mm and 400mm lenses announced today, the EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and the EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM will feature new optical designs, lighter-weight construction and water-repellant Fluorine coatings.
Canon EF Extender 1.4x III and EF Extender 2x III
Canon has updated its 1.4x and 2x ‘Extender’ teleconverters, to version III. The EF Extender 1.4x III and EF Extender 2x III both offer completely new optical designs, weather resistant construction, Fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements, and promise higher AF accuracy than the previous versions. They also include redesigned lens release mechanisms and integrated processors for improved communication between the camera and lens.
Canon develops world’s first 120 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
Canon has announced it has developed a 120 megapixel 29.2 x 20.2mm APS-H CMOS sensor – the same size used in its EOS-1D series of professional DSLRs. The sensor, for which Canon has announced no production plans, has a pixel count nearly 7.5 times larger than the company’s highest pixel count commercially available sensor. It offers full HD recording (using 1/60th of its surface area) and can deliver 9.5fps continuous shooting. This follows a 50 million pixel sensor of similar format the company developed in 2007.
Canon Powershot SD4500 IS / IXUS 1000 HS
Canon has released what it calls the world’s slimmest super zoom camera – the PowerShot SD4500 IS (IXUS 1000 HS in Europe). Measuring 22mm at the thinnest side, it features the company’s ‘HS’ system first featured in the SD4000 IS, promising better low-light performance and high-speed photography. It shares the same 10MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 2.7 inch LCD as the SD4000 IS, but offers a longer 10x zoom range starting at a rather over-long 36mm equivalent. The image-stabilized camera can record full HD movies as well as Super Slow Motion movies at 240fps, and (in Europe, at least) represents ten years since the IXUS range first went digital.
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS superzoom
Canon has also launched the PowerShot SX130 IS superzoom, replacing the SX120 IS. It sees a resolution increase to 12MP, a longer 12x zoom range starting at 28mm, gains SDXC support, offers HD movie recording and additional scene modes including a Miniature mode. The rest of the features remain the same including a 3.0″ LCD, P/A/S/M shooting, image stabilization and AA battery power.
Canon Selphy CP800 compact photo printer
In addition to its camera announcements, Canon has introduced the Selphy CP800 compact dye-sublimation photo printer with built-in voice guidance. Replacing the CP780, its features a more compact design and offers ID-style print layout along with other options. It features a the same 2.5″ LCD with image preview as its predecessor and maintains print speed of approx 47 seconds per print. It takes a selection of memory card formats including the latest SDXC format.
I will be updating this post as more announcements are available. Stay tuned!
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There is 1 comment on this post.
Trackback URL | Comments RSS FeedI hope there is more to come… Lets wait for sept 20