Because the deputy editor of PhotoPlus: the Canon Journal, I believed it will be attention-grabbing to have a look at the yr forward – operating by a number of the hottest rumors in addition to wishful considering, masking stuff we’re prone to see together with some much less doubtless merchandise and options that I might need to cross all my fingers and toes to face any likelihood of seeing!
In recent times Canon has settled into circulate with its bread-and-butter digital camera traces: the flagship 1-series, the skilled 5-series, the fanatic 6- and 7-series and the entry-level 100-series. And we are able to anticipate these to run by their common life cycles, which supplies us some predictability in terms of crystal ball gazing.
I additionally suppose it’s unlikely we’ll see any extra ‘oddball’ cameras that don’t neatly match into these ranges, comparable to a follow-up to the EOS RP and even unique EOS R, however do not maintain me to that – I hope I am mistaken!
What I feel we can be fairly sure of is additional inclusion of more and more highly effective AI instruments, for higher autofocusing algorithms and options comparable to in-camera noise discount and picture upscaling. I’m additionally hopeful that Canon will do extra with Content material Credentials, and make it simpler to confirm the origins of a photograph taken with a digital camera to fight AI-generated photographs – because it’s changing into ever more durable to inform them aside.
So seize a big pinch of salt as I run down the Canon tech that I might like to see within the New 12 months.
1) Full-frame third-party lenses with autofocus
Okay, so that is one thing I’ve been hoping for because the arrival of Canon’s RF mount again in October 2018. As a information author I’ve been envious in direction of Sony and L-Mount customers, and even Nikon Z shooters. It looks as if virtually each week there’s a brand new third-party lens introduced from corporations like Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, Brightin Star, Viltrox and TTArtisan.
If there’s one single want that I hope comes true it is that 2025 will lastly be the yr we see Canon open the gates for third events to make full-frame optics that includes autofocus for its RF-mount cameras. The excellent news is many of those producers have already got full-frame lenses able to go, which could possibly be produced comparatively rapidly with some minor modifications for the RF mount, ought to they get the inexperienced gentle to take action.
2) Extra inexpensive, non-hybrid lenses
This yr noticed Canon launched a trio of hybrid primes with the RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM and RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM. Don’t get me mistaken, these are sensible lenses and cater to a rising viewers of content material creators who must shoot high-quality video and properly as stills. However let’s not beat across the bush: they’re costly. I’d actually like to see some extra inexpensive primes (and even zooms) launched that omit video options and may subsequently have a lower cost level.
My fear with Canon happening its hybrid route is that images purists solely have these choices to go for if they need a high-quality L-series prime with weather-sealing. However the video options, though excellent, may merely go unused for many who don’t want them. And if Canon isn’t going to launch extra inexpensive stills-specific lenses then I hope it opens the door to third-party producers to plug these gaps within the RF lens vary.
I believed the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM (pictured above), which is a non-red ring however nonetheless weather-sealed and good high quality ‘finances’ lens, was a step in the best course. I’d like to see extra lenses like this from Canon sooner or later. Cash is tight for a lot of and we’re nonetheless in a price of dwelling disaster, in any case.
3) Canon EOS R6 Mark III
Digital camera rumors have lengthy been circulating in regards to the arrival of the EOS R6 Mark III, which is tipped to be introduced in early 2025. As an replace to the R6 Mark II, which dropped in November 2022, this might make it one of many sooner turnarounds for any of Canon’s cameras – but it surely would not be all that shocking, provided that it is one of many firm’s greatest promoting our bodies and would profit from common incremental updates to maintain it feeling recent.
If the phrase on the road is to be believed, the R6 Mark III could have a 24.1MP stacked CMOS sensor borrowed from the Canon EOS R3, a 5.69 million-dot 120fps digital viewfinder, CFexpress and SD card slots, with 4K 120p and FullHD 240p video.
As an R6 Mark II consumer myself, I discover the 24.2MP sensor decision slightly limiting and would favor this to be boosted extra alongside the traces of the unique EOS R and 5D Mark IV’s 30.3MP sensor. If the brand new mannequin additionally includes a high LCD data display and a mode dial button lock, I will probably be upgrading on day one – as these are two of my greatest pet peeves on an in any other case very succesful full-frame digital camera.
4) Subsequent-gen vari-angle shows
One function I discover myself utilizing on a regular basis is the vari-angle LCD display on each my R5 and R6 Mark II. It’s tremendous useful for composing at awkward excessive or low angles, and makes it simpler to compose when capturing from the hip. I’ve received no points with the display’s shade rendition, measurement or contact capabilities – in truth, these are all wonderful. However flipping the display outwards does really feel slightly uncovered, and in addition attracts extra consideration when capturing candid portraits on the road.
When the Nikon Z9 was launched again in 2019, I’ve to say its LCD display made me a bit jealous – with its capacity to swivel and maneuver just about each which approach. I’m actually hoping that is one thing Canon can borrow, or put its personal spin on, and slowly turns into the norm for EOS cameras with a vari-angle screens going ahead, because it definitely appears like the long run to me.
5) New PowerShots
It’s clear that Canon is invested in video. That is apparent from its line of cinema cameras and even rolling out hybrid lenses for its R-system cameras. So may 2025 be the yr after we see a brand new PowerShot arrive for vloggers and content material creators seeking to seize behind-the-scenes video?
Canon’s PowerShot V10 proved standard, and Could 2025 would mark its second birthday. Maybe this might be time for a refresh and add the choice to swap out batteries, which was a little bit of an Achilles heel within the unique.
Another choice could possibly be a PowerShot G7 X Mark IV compact digital camera. The G7 X Mark III continues to be very fashionable to this date – so standard, in truth, that I had hassle getting maintain of a mortgage pattern from Canon on a current journey to Budapest. It’s clearly nonetheless extremely wanted and in excessive demand, and 2025 would mark 6 years because it got here out.
A brand new mannequin may see some very important upgrades within the leaps and bounds we have made in know-how up to now half-decade!
6) New VR stuff
In March 2024 Canon unveiled a trio of prototype VR merchandise, together with the Canon RF-S 7.8mm f/4 Twin Lens and Canon RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Twin Fisheye – each of which got here to fruition in 2024. Designed for Canon’s APS-C our bodies, they’re inherently cheaper than the full-frame Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Twin Fisheye.
Canon’s tally of VR lenses now stands at three – which is three greater than both Sony or Nikon, if anybody’s counting – so Canon is the place to go in the event you’re concerned about creating digital actuality content material.
Nevertheless, we nonetheless have not seen something about that third prototype (pictured above, center). It is a 360º / 180º 3D VR Idea Digital camera that appears slightly bit like a bigger model of the Canon PowerShot V10, although options an extra lens that may be spun round for both front-facing 180º 3D / VR or rear-facing 360º VR.
The spec sheet for this idea mannequin states that it’s able to 8K 30p or 4K 120p and could have dwell streaming performance. If Canon continues its momentum with VR it is fairly doubtless we may even see this prototype arrive in some type or one other in 2025.
7) An replace to APS-C our bodies
My final want is a bit farfetched: an replace to Canon’s APS-C line. Nevertheless, because the EOS R7 and EOS R10 launched in tandem in 2022, this yr is prone to be absolutely the earliest we may see a refresh of them – 2026 is extra sensible, however Canon would possibly shock me!
Its extra entry-level APS-C fashions, the EOS R50 and EOS R100, had been solely launched in 2023, so it’s not possible we’ll see an replace of those. Although in fact, Canon may deliver out a brand-new APS-C mannequin altogether. We’ll have to attend and see to search out out what this yr holds for us!
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