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DPReview talked with Go Tokura (Chief Executive of Canon). The vast majority of the interview was about RF, but I do think there were a few interesting mentions of EOS M and online video content creators. Let’s start with the two obvious mentions about the EF-M system: Will the RF mount grow to incorporate APS-C format cameras? Or are you committed to the separate EF-M mount for APS-C? We can’t comment on specific plans, but APS-C size cameras are popular due to their size, weight and telephoto range advantages compared to full-frame cameras. We will listen to customers’ opinion and consider possible options. That sounds like confirmation they are considering putting a high density APS-C sensor camera into the RF system. I don’t quite get it unless there is a real technical benefit of that compared to a high density full-frame sensor that can read out the cropped area quickly. I’d personally rather have a slow 100mp full-frame camera with a fast crop mode compared to an APS-C RF camer...

Today I’m talking about a possible direction for the Canon EF-M system. While I had the original EOS M camera, I eventually sold that and didn’t get back into EF-M until the Canon EOS M50. Let’s start with more context first. Canon EOS M50 Update 10/2021: Since this article I’ve picked up a used M6 Mark II, which has changed my perspective a bit. It’s generally a pretty impressive camera, but I’d always like to see more. I use it a lot in combination with an Atomos Ninja V recorder to get past the 30 minute time limit per video clip. I have a video going over most of the important points I brought up in this article if you prefer video. Before the M50, I experimented with the Canon Rebel SL2 Digital SLR because I was trying to improve my online video work in quality as well as making videos easier to produce. The fully articulating screen and decent microphone pre-amp in combination with DPAF helped me a lot. From there I sold everything and went to a pair of Canon EOS M50 cameras in ...

Expecting anything from the Canon EF-M system is an exercise in futility, but my job is talking cameras and it’s fun to speculate on if and what successors to the Canon EOS M5 and M50 could be like. Well that and I want to write up a wish-list for my ideal EF-M camera, haha… Links are potentially affiliated in this post, I earn from qualifying purchases!  Canon EF-M cameras. Now that the Canon EOS R5 an R6 were officially announced, there is the potential that we could see new equipment in the EF-M system. I don’t think it will happen until those cameras are actually being sold. The R5 is apparently coming out on July 30th and the R6 will be on August 27th.  The R6  is looking like a nice combination of features for the price. People in the RF system now have two professional level bodies to go along with their kit like the 28-70mm f/2 lens… What could be the next EF-M camera body? There are rumors floating around, but they have little substance and are low in the rumor r...

Now that a specification sheet has been leaked for the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera we see more about the camera in general. It’s missing some information, likely intentionally removed for whatever reason. The camera rumor game is fun, but also irritating at times. Today I’m talking about a hypothetical camera I’m interested in transitioning to as my primary still photo camera, yet one that has solid video features as well. I’ll be calling it the solo hybrid-shooter’s camera. I do almost all of my videography on my own for the purpose of Youtube (and now Amazon Prime video I’ve started uploading to). I’m usually in the video at some point or another as well as the person filming b-roll, or basically any type of visual storytelling footage. Camera Companies Assuming that this is true information about the upcoming EOS R, let’s talk about it. I’m also going to talk about Nikon’s Z cameras and a few others like Sony’s full-frame offerings and the Panasonic full-frame mirrorles...

With very little information to go on about the rumored announcement on September 5th, I’m going to talk about some of the ideas pointed out in regard to a Canon mirrorless full-frame camera.  Me and a camera. Not too long ago I transitioned to a pair of Canon EOS M50 camera bodies with the 22mm f2, 11-22mm, and 15-45mm kit lens primarily for solo video work. The M50 is such a nice little camera that I’ve been using it for photos a lot as well. EF-M is now a solid system thanks to DPAF, though the M50 lacks a few things I’d like to have, and also hasn’t had great lens release support from Canon. Overall I’m happy with the setup given the great DPAF in video, fully articulating screen, and solid Android app. I did own the original EOS-M camera… what a huge improvement the M50 is in every regard! Anyways… First off let’s talk about the most well known rumors... The frequently mentioned quote about a “sexy” solution to mirrorless full-frame with Canon is odd. I’ve never seen this inte...

Now that the Nikon Z7 and Z6 have been announced, let’s talk about them and Nikon’s expected path moving forward based on their live presentation. Will I consider buying a Z6?  The Nikon Z6. Just to give a bit of history on my perspective… My first DSLR was a Pentax *ist DS that I started using in November 2005. Eventually, I made the switch to Nikon when they released the D600. I had wanted to get into full-frame and that camera hit a viable price-point. Overall, the change was pretty successful. Since then I’ve been limited in lens selection compared to when I was using Pentax. A lot of the value of my Pentax kit went into the cost of the camera bodies rather than lenses. I’ve learned to make effective use of the lens I had on hand at any given point and bought/sold lenses based on how frequently I used them or if they did something particular I needed. I’ve had a lot of success with the D600 and the D750. I’ve also used many Nikon APS-C DSLRS as my second body. The bodies I can...

I noticed on PentaxForums about a unilateral price scheme in the USA. This pricing scheme just increased the price of many Pentax lenses, most especially the DA* line. No lenses went down in price. Pentax is certainly unique. My opinion would be… What on Earth could Pentax USA/Ricoh be thinking? I wouldn’t normally post about the frequent fluctuating cost of camera equipment, but when a lens like the DA* 60-250mm goes up around $800 in day, there is a big issue. Even if they plan to eventually set the prices to something more reasonable, why damage your customer relationship by allowing retailers to set their price at full retail that is significantly more than the cost the day earlier? Most Pentax lenses are designed for the smaller APS-C imaging sensors, yet with these increases, they are not even competitive with full-frame lenses from someone like Canon. A good example of that would be the DA* 16-50mm, now at $1499. The Full-frame Canon 24-70mm is even $1400, so why would som...

EDIT, my opinion of the camera here: http://photographybanzai.com/2012/02/02/my-thoughts-on-the-pentax-k-01/ In about 24 hours, we will find out what this new Pentax K-01 is all about. Until then, I’ve been trying to figure out what it might be like. You have tons of information on Pentax Forums . As well as places like here (Club Snap) and here . From Club Snap: They say that the only viewfinder is the 3 inch LCD as the K-5 and that the body design should be rugged. -“The camera body is compact and trim whilst preserving all the functions of a professional camera.” -“The materials convey quality and honesty.” -“Machined aluminum and rubber provide user with a tactile and durable piece of technology.” I’ll give it a +1 for mentioning professional camera and +1 for aluminum body. Maybe this will be to Pentax what the iPhone was to Apple? EDIT: It looks like the body casing is plastic, which is a negative in my opinion. I find it odd why P...

Impress Japan had an interview with many of the Japanese camera manufacturers and I thought I’d talk about that with some opinion included. My news and opinion in video format on Youtube : The full interview in Japanese: https://www.impressjapan.jp/pr/monitor/1112_dcm/271201_free.pdf Companies in the interview: Pentax, Ricoh, Canon Fujifilm, Nikon, Sigma, and Sony. Points of interest: Olympus: Eventual E-5 SLR replacement. Canon: Interested in small cameras, but not necessarily ones with interchangeable lenses. Has a focus on sensor sensitivity rather than mega-pixels (just look at the 1D X with its 18MP). Sigma: DP series additions coming. Mirror-less format lenses coming. Sony: Smaller e-mount lenses to better fit their mirror-less cameras. Talk of electronic shutters. Nikon: Replacements for the D3 and D700 coming. Compacts should have a focus on ergonomics and control to have more benefit over cell phone cameras. Fujifilm: Focus on high-end compacts like the x100 and x10. Impr...

Fall is usually a time for new camera announcements. Just recently Pentax France showed a promo PDF that hinted at a new camera body besides the Q and 645D. They have since modified the PDF and removed the hint, but it’s interesting at least. If you frequent PentaxForums.com, you will know a debate on Pentax Full-frame comes up every so often. As I’m a person who feels I could benefit from Pentax FF, I usually post at least one message stating my reasons. This time , the discussion started with a pretty strong argument for full-frame. I agree that for Pentax to get back the popularity they had in their heyday, they should have at least one camera for each audience. We see that they are expanding their offerings after cutting back a bit on 35mm. They now have three digital systems (K, 645, and Q), so they are trying to increase their general appeal. Recent 35mm lens releases have been pretty yawn inducing from an enthusiast point of view. I wonder if it was because they were working on ...