Canon EOS R1

(Image credit: Canon)

After years of expectation and months of speculation, Canon finally announced the EOS R1 – well, it was a development announcement, meaning that nothing was actually revealed about the camera. 

It's confirmed to have a new Digic Accelerator processor in addition to the existing Digic X processor, along with new deep learned autofocus routines and a new AF Action Priority function – which appears to be a predictive algorithm similar to the "human pose estimation technology" seen in the Sony A9 III (which also required its own dedicated processor). 

As far as specs go, I suspect that we're looking at between 24MP and 30MP in terms of resolution. It will either have a next-generation stacked sensor, or a first-generation global shutter sensor – Canon has developed both, so will go with whichever one it feels is most ready (and don't forget that the delay for the R1's appearance has reportedly been due to trouble hitting readout targets).

It won't have anything less than 40fps burst shooting (the current top speed of a Canon camera, the EOS R6 Mark II), and will likely be triple that; the Sony A9 III and Nikon Z9 / Z8 have established a benchmark of 120fps, which the R1 simply has to meet or exceed – and there have been rumors that it can hit up to 240fps. 

As far as when it will be available, I think we're looking at December. The EOS R3 had its development announcement in April 2021, its full announcement 5 months later in September 2021, and went on sale 7 months later in November 2021. Using the same template, we'll get a full R1 announcement in October and sales will start in December.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)

The reports have been all over the place on this one. The successor to the Canon EOS R5 was first thought to be arriving before the R1, then it was launching in the second half of 2024, then it was supposed to be in May… and now, it's one of a number of cameras speculated to be delayed by European regulations. 

With the R1 set to concentrate on performance, the R5 Mark II will remain the company's high-resolution stills and 8K model. Reports of a 60MP sensor have given way to rumblings that it will keep the same 45MP sweet spot, but in the form of a new stacked sensor for even faster performance. 

It's claimed that this will offer 60fps burst shooting and 8K 60p, which would outpace the flagship Nikon Z9 / Z8 in every way other than the low-res 120fps shooting. There have even been suggestions of 4K 240p video, but I think that feels a little pie in the sky (though may be a feature of the R5C Mark II). However, I can absolutely see the R5 eschewing a mechanical shutter in favor of a fully electronic affair. 

I'm sure that the camera will keep some existing tricks such as the 400MP IBIS Hi-res shot, pre-shooting / RAW Burst, and the integration of the new horse and plane AF algorithms – along with whatever these new AF tricks turn out to be. Dual Pixel AF II will apparently be augmented by a new Digic X family processor, with AI-powered autofocus being proposed as one of the headline features of the camera. I wonder if this will require the additional Digic Accelerator processor, like the R1…

Canon EOS R5C Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)

Does the launch of an R5 Mark II indicate the launch of an R5C Mark II? It's possible. Personally, I didn't realize that launch of the original R5 indicated the launch of the original R5C – but Canon insisted that both models were planned from the start (rather than, as some have suggested, the R5C being released to counter criticism about the R5's recording limitations). 

So, there's two possibilities here. Either the R5 Mark II will be an all-powerful hybrid that handles 8K with no limits, or Canon really did always plan on there being a video-oriented counterpart – which means that the R5C Mark II will be the Cinema EOS version. 

If we do see it, I would expect it to have similar specs to the R5 Mark II. However, it would be a given that it would have a superior active cooling system – and I would also like to see the in-body image stabilization carry over this time. ND filters would be good, too, especially for a Cinema EOS product. 

Canon EOS R6 Mark III

(Image credit: James Artaius)

In the wake of the rumors that the R1 has been delayed, guttersnipes started speculating that one of Canon's registered-but-unreleased cameras is in fact the Canon EOS R6 Mark III – though I'll be honest, I think this is a case of 2 + 2 = 22.

These rumors are based not on leaks or chatter about the camera, but by observing a series of price cuts to the R6 Mark II. The reasoning is that the R5 is being discounted, and we know that a successor is on the way (the R5 Mark II), and the R3 is being discounted (intended to be replaced by the R1), so if the R6 Mark II is being discounted then a Mark III must surely be coming! 

Until I see it, I don't buy it. Sure, Canon peered to market pressure by slashing the period between the R6 and R6 Mark II, but there was a genuine need to do so (as the R6's specs didn't compare well to its direct rivals). But the R6 Mark II is a great camera with great specs for its category – it genuinely doesn't merit replacing yet.

Canon 3D VR Camera

(Image credit: Future)

I had a chance to talk to Canon about its prototype 360° / 180° 3D VR Camera. It's clear Canon is really doubling down on virtual reality, having introduced the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens a couple of years ago and with a pair of APS-C 3D / VR stereoscopic lenses on the way as well. 

This new camera, which physically looks like a mashup of the Dual FIsheye and the Canon PowerShot V10, combines all the tech in one: 360° / 180° 3D VR 8K capture, along with VR live streaming. 

While this wasn't something Canon said to me, I've heard that the camera has a target price of under $1,000 (about £820 / AU$1,590). This is definitely something to keep an eye (or even a Dual Fisheye) on…

Canon Powershot V1, 10 Mark II, V100

(Image credit: James Artaius)

Rumors of a Canon vlogging camera swirled for years until the Canon PowerShot V10 finally dropped. And with vlogging cameras being the hottest thing in the industry right now, it looks like Canon is following Sony's lead and producing a whole range of dedicated vlogging devices. 

Canon PowerShot V1
An APS-C sensor will be the primary way that this flagship model differentiates itself from the mid-range V10 with its 1-inch sensor – though it is possible that the V1 will feature some flavor of Dual Pixel AF II. It has also been suggested to us that weather sealing (with new microphones, to accommodate the disrupted audio caused by water build-up) is on the agenda.

Canon PowerShot V10 Mark II
Improved autofocus, FullHD video up to 120p, along with a better solution to windshields and other accessories (compared to the slightly haphazard region-by-region products available for the current V10) are said to be coming to the Mark II. 

Canon PowerShot V100
Following the naming convention of the mirrorless EOS R line, the V100 (like the Canon EOS R100) will be the entry-level model of the PowerShot vlogging family. 

Canon Posture Fit

 

Back in 2021 Canon introduced us to Posture Fit: a concept camera that looks like a Pixar character and sits on your desk, where it keeps an eye on how you're sitting using a wide-angle lens and skeletal mapping. When it spots you starting to slouch, it flashes and wobbles and beeps on your desk to tell you to straighten up – and it'll even remind you to get up and move around, if you've been sitting too long.

After falling off the radar ever since, recently a patent was filed in Japan describing a Posture Fit that could monitor multiple subjects in its field of view – not just the person sat at the desk in front of it. Again, it's not a photographic camera (so it can't be used for spying or surveillance) but it's a very clever lifestyle device that anyone who sits in front of a computer will surely benefit from. 

Canon EOS R7 Mark II

(Image credit: James Artaius)

The original Canon EOS R7 is only two years old, but the manufacturer showed us with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II that it's more than willing to update a camera after two years if there's a big improvement to be made. 

With the Canon EOS R7 Mark II, that big improvement could take the form of a new stacked APS-C sensor – which would push the OG R7's already impressive 30fps burst speed to even greater heights. With rumors that Canon is looking to update its fleet with stacked sensor in at least three cameras – and the potential of its newly designed triple-layer stacked sensor – this could be very exciting for sports and wildlife shooters.

Canon EOS R3 Mark II

(Image credit: Future)

With the impression being that the R1 won't use a global shutter sensor, could it be that the technology actually debuts in the next version of the EOS R3? 

There may be some logic to this, depending on what Canon ultimately does with the R1. If it goes the Sony A1 route, making the R1 and speed and resolution powerhouse, then a stacked sensor would make most sense. 

That would pave the way for the EOS R3 Mark II to host a global shutter sensor, focusing on pure speed without having to worry about the associated compromises to image quality and ISO sensitivity. 

That said, it might also be the case that the R3 was just a glorified placeholder for the R1 so that Canon had a pro RF camera – and once the true flagship has launched, there will be no need for another R3. 

Canon RE-1

(Image credit: James Artaius)

Fujifilm and Olympus have been doing it for years. Nikon has done it with the Nikon Zf and Nikon Z fc. And Canon could be the next manufacturer to produce a vintage-styled mirrorless camera – possibly a modern version of the iconic Canon AE-1. 

"I can't say yes or no, but as you say, some consumers are particularly fond of some of the best-selling models of the past, their design and appearance," said a Canon exec when asked if the company would produce a retro-style camera. "In addition, you can see that our EOS body, whether in appearance or operability, has been improved by listening to customer feedback and requests. We attach great importance to the fact that there is a consumer base that wants a retro body."

Such importance, in fact, that Canon conducted a market survey asking which of its film cameras customers would like to see made digital. Some posited options were the Canon P, Canon F-1, Canonet QL17… and the Canon AE-1. Fingers crossed!

Canonet

(Image credit: Matt Parry)

With the ongoing rollercoaster success of the Fujifilm X100VI, not to mention the Leica Q3 and Ricoh GR III, it's been proven that premium fixed-lens compact cameras are here to stay. And, given that all the above models are on perennial back-order, there's a massive gap in the market for someone to take advantage.

Enter Canon, which reportedly has an "active, even if just exploratory" ongoing project about launching its own fixed-lens APS-C camera – a description that seems a perfect fit to resurrect the iconic Canonet product line (which includes the Canonet G III QL17, pictured above).  

Canon wearable neck camera

(Image credit: Canon • JPO)

Wearable cameras are big business, and Canon has designed an intriguing one that's worn around the neck. Ostensibly for use in the manufacturing and maintenance industries, this adjustable camera features a laser indicator to show where the point of focus is and ensure that the right area is in frame – meaning that there are a wealth of consumer possibilities for the device as well. 

This is one we're really intrigued by. As we've seen from the likes of the Canon PowerShot Zoom, Canon PowerShot Pick and Canon PowerShot V10, the manufacturer is increasingly bringing these intriguing concept cameras to market – and we really hope this new wearable follows suit.

Canon drone

(Image credit: IP Force)

In March 2022 Canon submitted an application for a patent for a product that is a drive device, an electronic device and an image pickup device with a mobile body. 

From the illustrative diagrams included in the application, it looks like the design of the camera unit could be very similar to that of the Canon Powershot Pick – an AI-powered camera capable of recording both video and stills. It automatically detects movement, can track a subject and can be controlled using voice commands. 

The Powershot Pick features an 11.7MP camera, has advanced face recognition, connects to a purpose-made app and is compact, lightweight and portable – all of which are features that would be desirable on a drone camera.

The Canon verdict

What we think: The flagship EOS R1 is finally coming, but Canon is being very cagey on telling us what it actually does. A new R5 is on the way, too, but you should also brace for more category-expanding PowerShot cameras like the V10 and Zoom, as Canon looks to broaden its appeal beyond the core camera crowd.

Read More: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/camera-rumors