Ever since we heard that Nikon was
joining the league of mirrorless cameras, the whole world's been waiting for its arch rival to make the next move in the battle of
smaller prosumer cameras. Today,
Canon finally gave away some hints about which camp it'll side with -- probably just sticking with traditional
DSLRs, but smaller. Canon's Masaya Maeda didn't share any specific details, but here's how he dodged
Reuters' inquiry: "It's not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller. We will meet this need." And to add some icing to that bland statement, Maeda reinforced that it wouldn't be a challenge for his company to retain a mirror (hence a viewfinder, which is essential for obtaining better results and higher shooting rates) in a smaller design, and that they've made very small SLR cameras before (likely in reference to the film era). Whatever happens, here's hoping that Canon's new toy won't be any bigger than the much-loved
G11.
posted July 20th 2010 6:11PM
I just want a DSLR for less than 200 bucks
@Cainhunpi
that can take good quality picture's
@Cainhunpi
My nephew just bought a 'like new' Olympus E420 on eBay for US 211.00... Great Deal - Very Nice DSLR!
@Cainhunpi Article subtitle: "Replaces mirrors with a series of tubes."
@Cainhunpi
I had an original Digital Rebel for years, when I worked as a college newspaper photographer and took a lot of really nice pictures for my personal work. Even though they're old now, they're still great cameras. It shoots slowly (2.5 frames per second for 4 frames before the buffer fills up for a couple seconds) but all in all it was a great camera. Sadly my portfolio website is down 'cause it got hacked, but there were some really nice pictures. I've got a 40D now that I love, but the Rebel was still pretty decent.
You might be able to find one for under $200 now.
@Cainhunpi
$200, body only? As long as you are willing to shop used, that's an easy mark these days. Offhand, the Nikon D40 would be one of the more attractive options, or perhaps a Pentax K100D.
@Cainhunpi
I should probably sell my canon xti now before it becomes worthless
@ruby
Great photographic equipment is never worthless.
Sure newer cameras might offer additional features, but that doesn't force obsolescence with a great 'picture taker'.
@The Truth Hurts with exchangeable lenses
how about one with articulating lcd!
@dark star
It is puzzling, Canon does seem to have an aversion to articulating displays of their DSLRs... Hmmm?
@DaHarder theyve got one on the G11 so its a possibility
@irfan
We were talking DSLRs, not point and shoots, but I see your point nonetheless.
Development Is Nice And All, But... Where's The Product?
@DaHarder
Sometimes You Have To Actually Make The Product First, So, You Know, It Exists.
@DaHarder
Stop Working On It And Just Release It. They Can Fix It Later.
@Lando Calrissian
As an active member of numerous camera forums, I'm well aware that Canon's been working on this new system for well over a year now (shortly after the introduction of micro 4-thirds)... It's about time for some kind of product peek/leak already.
@atomicthumbs
Only apple does that :D
How's this news? The guy didnt say anything.
I like cameras. They don't all just become outdated every 10 minutes like HTC/Motorola cell phones.
How is it a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) without a mirror? I think engadget is misunderstanding the terminology here.
@Curious G
Nevermind - read too fast
@Curious G If you didn't understand it you didn't read it.
@fourthletter
Thanks professor!
Mirrors don't increase shooting rates, they reduce them, because you have to get the mirror out of the way before you can take the picture.
If they can get fast focusing without a mirror, the shoot rates will be higher than an SLR.
I think Canon would be foolish to ignore the EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) camera market.
@spin cycle
My Panasonic G-series EVIL cameras (blue G1 and black G2) are some of the fastest focusing I've had the pleasure of using, so I don't see how a company with the development/engineering resources of Canon are finding this an obstacle.
I believe we'll being seeing an introduction very soon from Canon.
@spin cycle the issue of getting the mirror out of the way isn't really an issue at all considering the ridiculous shooting rates of the higher end SLRs can reach (10fps).
Beyond that you're simply shooting video, and the lagging factor in that processing and writing the images.
I'll take fast focusing thanks.
@spin cycle
I'm a photographer, and I couldn't stand using an electronic viewfinder.
-Taylor
@Taylor Yes Taylor
I felt similarly until a bought my first Panasonic G-Series (the G1 with an EVF of 1.44 million effective dots), and now I actually prefer it given that it gives me a 100% framing view, unlike any of my other DSLRs.
It's an adjustment, but hardly a difficult one.
@Taylor Yes Taylor Not everyone is you.
And there's a lot an LCD can do that your direct view can't do. Like exposure time simulation (motion blur preview).
Either way, just because EVIL cameras aren't for you doesn't mean they aren't a viable market.
@theanticrust: Focusing on EVIL cameras is only going to get faster and faster. There's no technical reason they can't be as fast as mirrored (phase detect) cameras, so if the market wants them to be as fast, eventually they probably will be.
It's weird that people get hung up on how things are today. Things do change over time. The all but death of film cameras shows us that very well.
I hate small DSLRs - you cant hold them properly, and the controls are all compressed and difficult to access.
Plus they look stupid with decent L glass on the front.
Canon should make point and shoot for the snappy-cam brigade, the pro-am mid range DSLRs for the consumer with a hobby, and leave the large 1 series DSLRs alone - IMHO
@SExpress
Given the popularity of both the Panasonic G-series and the Olympus PEN-series, it appears the market disagrees with you.
@DaHarder Sure, but most people don't buy L glass for their Canon - they have the kit lens and maybe one other USM lens at most.
They want small and easy to carry.
That's great for tourists - not good for pros
@SExpress
Agreed, but there are often times when carrying a larger camera and a bunch of large lenses simply isn't feasible.
EVIL cameras give you nearly the photographic quality/flexibility of their bulkier brethren without the hassle.
Honestly... I find myself carrying my Panasonic G2 or Olympus PEN PL1 pretty much everywhere I go these days, and getting some seriously fantastic shots.
@SExpress
I agree. I love the size of my 40D. It would be nice if it were lighter, though most of the weight on my camera is from my lens.
@SExpress
Full-featured cameras should be fairly large to accommodate all the direct-access controls and provide a proper balance with heavy lenses, but not everyone wants to be lugging a D300 / 17-50 F2.8 with them all the time.
For casual photography, something a lot smaller and lighter is preferable. I had thought that the smallest dSLRs on the market today are already plenty small enough for that but there is clearly market demand for a "large sensor, interchangeable lens G11".
I'm very happy with my D90
@Juggernaut408
As you should be... It's a great camera!
@Juggernaut408
who wouldn't be happy with a D90 ?
But we're on a Canon topic here.
And also the Monster in my pants
@Juggernaut408
WOW - That must be one hungry monster since it looks like it ate your junk. LOL!
I think smaller DSLRs are called 4/3s.
No seriously why bother?
@nDy
No... that's merely the format used by Olympus/Panasonic (at this point), there's also Samsung's mirrorless format, and Sony's Alpha- NEX-format.
The thing they all share is being mirror-less.
The Canon camera user community has an open-source project going called CHDK. I have a 2yr-old A650is, and can take time-lapse, or motion-sensed, and run the range of every feature, all with re-runnable scripts that load to the camera.
(http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK)
If this camera can be supported by the CHDK project, it'll increase the camera's value against its competitors by a huge factor.
You can make smaller DSLRs, but removing the mirror significantly reduces the mirror box in many dimensions, and they'll never be able to get some thing even close in size to NEX without some unknown magic.
My Casio EXILIM EX-FH20 can shoot at 40fps. http://bit.ly/cSoVPv I don't think a dSLR will ever be able to do that. My dSLR only shoots 4fps.
@otrc
40fps is much easier to achieve on a tiny little point-and-shoot 1/2.3-inch CCD, as opposed to a much larger/superior sensor.
okay... what the heck is a "prosumer"? Stop making up words when it can be amply described in English.
@darkmax
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define%3A+prosumer
while you're there;
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define:+lazy
@himynameisnathan You are just one of those a**, are you not? Try a dictionary and see if a definition comes up. This is one of those stupid words that will Americans just conveniently put together.