Canon News: EOS 5DS and 5DS R

Canon have come up with something groundbreaking here - a brand new 50.6MP CMOS sensor sat inside one of two bodies the 5DS and 5DS R.

Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS

The specifications include:

• 50.6 MP CMOS full-frame sensor
• Dual DIGIC 6 processors
• 150K Pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor
• Up to 5.0 Frames Per Second
• 61-point AF
• Cropped Shooting (1.3x and 1.6x cropped shooting modes produce 30.5 and 19.6 megapixel files)
• USB 3.0
• Mirror Vibration Control System
• Interval Timer Shooting

Prices for the body are around £2999 at time of writing.

More details are available here.

Canon 5DS R

The 5DS R is almost identical to the 5DS, but a "...low-pass cancellation filter enhances the clarity and sharpness of the high-resolution images with minimal risk of artifacts".

Canon 5DS R

It's priced at £3,199.

There are more details available here.

Canon News: EOS 750D and 760D

Canon have updated their popular low/mid-range 'rebel'/xxxD DSLR (which started with the 300D - my first digital camera!), and have introduced us to non-identical twins - the 750D (Rebel T6i) and 760D (Rebel T6s).  

Canon 750D

Canon 750D

The specifications include:

• 3.0" (7.7cm) Vari Angle LCD touch screen
• 24.2 Megapixel APS-C sensor 
• 19 all cross-type AF points
• DIGIC 6 processor delivers full resolution shooting at 5 fps
• large ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800 (extendable to ISO 25600)
• Connectivity options include Wi-fi and NFC
• Movies can be recorded in .mp4 format for easy online sharing
• Full HD movies with Hybrid CMOS AF III to track movement and focus smoothly between subjects
• Creative movie modes

£599 for body only.

More details available here.

Canon 760D

Canon 760D

The 760D shares most of the same specifications as the 750D, but adds a few extra features:

• An eye sensor for use with the optical viewfinder
• LCD information display on top-plate
• Quick control dial on the rear
• Servo AF in Live View (which I'd LOVE to have on my 5D Mark III for wildlife filming)

£649 for body only.

More details here.

Canon News: EOS 5D Mark III Firmware v1.3.3

Canon have released an updated firmware release (to 1.3.3) for their popular full-frame DSLR, the EOS 5D Mark III.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

The changes incorporated are:

1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
2. Corrects some incorrect indications on the "English" and "Russian" menu screens.

One upgraded, you will be unable to revert to a previous version of the firmware.  This may of course have implications for those running any non-Canon 'hacks', such as Magic Lantern.

The firmware is available to download for Mac or Windows here.

Canon News: EOS 7D revised firmware to 2.0.3

Fresh on the heels of the recent 7D firmware upgrade (a significant, welcome one), Canon have launched a minor update to fix a couple of niggles:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera stops working when the auto power off setting takes effect.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the maximum number of images that can be captured in a burst may be less than the actual number displayed in the viewfinder.
3. Corrects some errors in the message displayed on the LCD screen when saving RAW images developed in the camera (these errors do not appear in the Japanese and Korean language displays).

More information and the download are available from Canon UK here.

Canon News: EOS-1D X Firware 1.0.6 launched

For all those lucky people that have a Canon EOS-1D X, Canon have released some firmware which addresses some bugs, sorry 'phenomenons':

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF Microadjustment cannot be correctly carried out.
2. Fixes a phenomenon such that when using the camera with combinations of certain lens*1) and extender*2), the images captured become back-focused.  *1) EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM or EF200mm f/2L IS USM 
     *2) Extender EF 1.4x III or Extender EF 2x III
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which, when the camera is powered on in very dark environments (including instances when the lens cap or the body cap is attached), an Error 80 appears on the camera.
4. Fixes the following phenomenon, where if two CF cards are inserted into the camera and the “Standard” or “Auto switch card” setting is selected for the recording method [Record func+card/folder sel] and then one of the CF cards is removed and reinserted into the card slot. The card selected for recording and playing back images may be switched to the other CF Card.
5. Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF microadjustment value is not correctly displayed in the EXIF information of captured images.
6. Displays an “O” or “X” to indicate whether images have been successfully transferred through the FTP protocol when using the WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter.

Lovely.  More info and to download here.

Canon News: EOS M Compact System Camera launched

At last, Canon have bitten the bullet and entered the mirroless compact camera market, after several years of speculation... here is their new EOS M:

Highlights are:

• 18 Megapixel APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor.
• The quality of a digital SLR in a compact body.
• Scene Intelligent Auto.
• Be versatile with interchangeable lenses; EF lens compatibility (via Mount Adapter EF-EOS M).
• Create out-of-focus backgrounds for high impact.
• Easy-to-use touch-screen LCD.
• Atmospheric photos in low light.
• Full HD video with Video Snapshot Mode.

More information here.

Canon News: 5D Mk III Firmware (1.1.3) released

Canon have launched new firmware for its new 5D Mark III DSLR.  Changes are:

1. Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June 2012.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera's power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens (*1) is mounted to the camera with an extender (*2). (*1) The EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM or EF400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lenses. (*2) The Extender EF1.4x III or Extender EF2x III.
5. Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens.

Firmware available here.

Canon News: New EOS STM Lenses Launched

In response to the growing use of SLRs for video capture, Canon have launched a pair of lenses with a new design - a STM (Stepping Motor) is used.  This allows for smoother, quieter operation, with compatible cameras.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

• Versatile 18-135mm zoom range – perfect for travel.
• Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras.
• Dynamic Image Stabilizer for smooth movie footage.
• Fast autofocus with full-time manual override.
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.39m.

 More info here.

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM

• Portable pancake design
• Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light shooting
• Close focus to 0.3m
• Fast, quiet AF for pin-sharp results
• Great image quality right across the frame

More info here.

Canon News: EOS 650D Released

Canon have updated their xxxD line of Digital SLRs with the new 650D - and it's got some pretty innovative new features built-in

• Newly-developed 18MP APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor
• Native ISO range from 11 to 12,800
• Powered by Canon's Digic V processor
•  7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen - (yes, a touch screen, allowing you to navigate as you might on a smartphone)
• Hybrid AF enhancing Full HD movies
• 9 cross-type AF points
• 5 fps
• HDR backlit control

More details available here.

N.B. There is a Product Advisory, which actually sounds quite serious - and could case allergic reactions.  In some cases, the black rubber grips on the camera can go white, which is caused by an unpleasant chemical reaction.  Check out your 650D asap!

Canon News: EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Launched

Another much anticipated launch for both still and video enthusiasts, Canon have launched the 5D Mark III DSLR.  

Replacing the Mark II, it brings a host of specification upgrades, albeit nothing extraordinary (except the price initially, we assume!):

• 22.3 megapixel full-frame sensor
• 61-point AF
• 6 fps continuous shooting
• ISO 100–25,600 sensitivity, expandable to ISO 102,400
• Full-HD video with manual control
• 14-bit DIGIC 5+ processor
• Weather sealing
• 8.11cm (3.2-inch) 1,040,000-dot screen
• HDR mode

It will be £2999.99 in the UK, initially at least.

More info here, with sample images here.

Canon News: EOS-1D X released

Canon has revealed the EOS-1D X – an 18.1 Megapixel, full-frame DSLR that features a high-precision 61-point AF system, an ISO range that’s expandable up to ISO 204,800, and a top continuous shooting speed of 14 frames per second (fps). 

The EOS-1D X sees the amalgamation of the two Canon EOS-1 series lines, and becomes the new flagship model in the Canon EOS DSLR range. Amongst the camera’s standout specifications are a high ISO sensitivity that’s the highest ISO yet available in any camera, Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors that offer two stops of noise processing benefit in comparison to the DIGIC 4 processors used in the EOS-1D Mark IV, better low light AF performance to EV -2, and a DIGIC 4 processor dedicated to the camera’s AE system. 

The EOS-1D X’s impressive specifications include:

• An 18.1 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor.
• A newly developed high-precision AF system with 61 user selectable AF points, 41 of which are cross-type points, and five dual cross-type points for extra precision.
• A standard ISO range of 100 to 51,200 with three expansion settings – for ISO 50, 102,400 and 204,800.
• Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors for fast image processing to deliver 18.1 Megapixel images at up to 12fps as standard and up to 14fps with super High Speed continuous.
• Zone, Spot and AF Expansion focusing modes, plus subject type AF presets.
• A 100,000-pixel RGB AE sensor with 252-zone metering powered by a dedicated DIGIC 4 processor.
• +/-5 stops of exposure compensation.
• A high-magnification transparent LCD viewfinder with 100% coverage with intelligent viewfinder display.
• Super short 36ms shutter lag option.
• 30-1/8000sec shutter speed range.
• An 8.11cm (3.2”), 1.04 million pixel Clear View II LCD screen.
• Full HD EOS Movie shooting with Inter frame or Intra frame compression.
• Auto creation of new movie file once 4GB file limit reached.
• Timecode setting for HD movie shooting.
• Manual audio level control with live level meters and adjustment during recording.
• An improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (EICS).
• Dual CF card slots.
• Touch-pad control area for silent setting adjustment during movie recording.

 More details and images to follow...

Canon News: EOS 1100D (T3) launched

Canon have updated their entry-level DSLR to the EOS 1100D.

Vital stats are:

• Superior 12-megapixel image quality
• On-screen Feature Guide
• Creative Auto and Basic+
• HD video capture
• ISO 100-6400 sensitivity
• Wide-area 9-point AF system
• 63-zone iFCL exposure metering
• 6.8cm (2.7”), 230,000-dot screen
• Use with all EF and EF-S lenses

More details here.

Canon News: EOS 600D (T3i) launched

Canon have updated the 550D to the 600D (also known as the T3i) - and it seems to be a relatively minor incremental upgrade rather than any new breakthroughs, taking a few features from its elder sisters, the 60D and 7D:

• Swivel LCD screen
• Ability to remotely control flashes
• A 'feature guide' to help you make the most of the camera (hmmm)
• iFCL metering
• A new 'Movie Digital Zoom' 3x or 10x crop, retaining full HD (obviously something's got to give though...) 

There's also a slightly tweaked version of the standard zoom kit lens, now known as the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS II

I got a bit bored (i.e. underwhelmed) reading the rest of the press release, so there's more information here.

Canon News: EOS 7D Firmware 1.2.1 released

Canon have released a firmware update to their EOS 7D DSLR. The following updates have been included:

• Extends the timing at which the high temperature warning indicator is displayed and the timing of automatic shut down of the camera due to a rise in internal temperature during Live View or EOS Movie functions.
• Optimizes program shift when the ISO setting of the camera is set to AUTO.
• Corrects a misspelling in the French-language menu.
• Corrects a phenomenon in which vertical magenta-colored banding appears in still images taken in movie-shooting mode.
  (This only occurs when in Manual exposure mode and when the ISO speed is set to "H". Note that this phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.0)

Avilable to download from here.

Canon News: New EOS 550D / Rebel T2i DSLR

Canon have released details about their new DSLR, updating the popular xxxD line-up. The headlines are:

• 18Mp
• Full 1080p HD recording
• iFCL metering (first seen in 7D)
• 3.7fps shooting

Full details can be found here, with the UK site update here.

Available to pre-order in the UK via Amazon (for Feb 28th release):



Helps set expectations high for any upcoming 60D, if there's still room in the lineup between the 550D and the 7D...

Canon News: Updated EOS 1D Mark IV firmware

Canon have updated the firmware for the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV - to version 1.06. It improves AF performance for approaching and receding subjects.