Before I proceed further, this is NOT a review article. This article are my insights, thoughts, views from my short hands on experience along with my Q&A session with Canon Singapore Marketing. This article would be more like a continuation, Part Two of an earlier article that I published, “The Canon Mirrorless Journey from EOS M to EOS R”. Although it is NOT a review article, it’s a bit lengthy in content.

Through my session with Canon Singapore Marketing, I had a better understanding on the new EOS R cameras and RF lenses. In a nutshell, the EOS Family Hierarchy looks like this

EOS 1DX 

EOS R5 

EOS 5D 

EOS R + EOS R6 

Now let me share my thoughts and views of my short hands on experience with EOS R5, EOS R6 and new RF lenses. 

EOS R5

This is the Canon full-frame mirrorless camera that photographers want and have been waiting for. Canon has listened to photographers and customers feedback, this camera now has dual media cards slot. The iconic and well liked joystick and wheel controls are back on the EOS R5. The body and layout is similar to the EOS R. 

A hybrid camera, best of both worlds, for stills photography and videography, 8K video with no cropping and 45 megapixels. That’s a powerful camera for photographers, videographers and content producers.

8K video recording overheating concern? 

An issue that has been nitpicked by some overseas photography websites, a point to take note but with a wrong approach and mentality by the websites, probably a clickbait to drive web traffic to their website.

I brought up this topic for discussion as I was doing some homework and research from overseas websites and YouTube channels that are talking about this particular topic. From my understanding, maximum recording time is 29min 59 sec.

You can find Movie Shooting Time (or Movie Recording Time) Limit inside the camera’s manual by Canon. Raise your hands, how many of you read the whole manual, whether in pdf format or physical copy? 

When the Canon EOS R5 camera manual is available, I would download and have a read.

Points to take note from a photographer/videographer practical perspective:

• EOS R5 is a hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera that can do stills photography and videography. It’s not a standalone dedicated video camera recorder. 
• If you are looking to shoot non-stop 4K video for a long continuous period of time, you need to look at camcorders instead.The Canon Cinema EOS Camcorders and Camcorders are calling out to you.
• How often do you record video non-stop for 30 minutes and beyond? Unless you are mainly shooting conferences, major seminars presentation or live performances.
• Even if you are into producing vlogs, YouTube videos, short filmmaking, how often do you and can you video for 30mins or more without a break or pause, to check, reshoot? 

Should I have updated information and details on this, I might update it here or in my review article down the road.

In-Body IS + lens IS = holy combo, that’s what it should be, Canon now leads the way 

The photography industry was talking/discussing a lot on internet and social media a few years back. While it may seem that Canon took a much longer time to implement In-Body Image Stabiliser (In-Body IS), they didn’t want to put it in for the sake of putting it in. 

Yes, Canon listen to the feedback on the ground, from photographers and customers. This probably took them a bit longer than launching their full-frame mirrorless camera, a In-Body IS that works with the lens IS, with a new algorithm through new DIGIC X, “talking, coordinating and controlling” both IS on lens and camera body to work in tandem together simultaneously. 

That’s the way it should be for cameras utilising In-Body IS and lens IS, Canon now leads the way. 

Combining the best of the best together

This EOS R5 brings some of the best of the EOS Series, EOS 5D Mark IV (for its stills + video) + EOS 5DS or EOS 5DS R (MF quality stills photography) + latest DIGIC X + new sensor + revolutionary RF technology + EOS R series camera body, all together into that EOS R5.

EOS R6

For photographers who are a fan of the EOS-1DX series, you can go for the Canon EOS R6, it’s a mini EOS-1DX Mark III since it has inherited much of its hardware and technical specifications into the EOS R6 body. 

If you do not need the 8K video functions and high 45 megapixels, the EOS R6 is very suitable and more affordable, you can still shoot in 4K and with 20 megapixels, you can get most photography jobs done without too much worries. EOS R5 and EOS R6 have similar design,  layout and functionalities. The top layout is similar to the Canon EOS RP layout. 

The EOS R6 would be highly suitable for those wanting and ready to move into full-frame mirrorless cameras, whether you are an existing EOS DSLR user, or migrating from other brands, upgrading from APS-C cameras to full-frame camera.

RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens

This focal length range lens hasn’t really caught my attention previously as my setup is towards the holy trinity setup and big prime lens. However, I have to say that this focal length of 100-500mm range is versatile, lightweight and ideal for wildlife photography, sports and events photography too. 

I would love to try this lens out for wildlife photography when the opportunity arises to review this lens.

RF Extender 1.4x and RF Extender 2x

I sense exciting times ahead for the RF mount lenses. When would the RF300mm f/2.8 or RF400mm f/2.8 be out in the market? 

RF600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM

We photographers and consumers need a mindset change that telephoto lenses must be at big apertures? Can telephoto lenses be lightweight, affordable and easy to use at f/11 aperture? The RF600mm and RF800mm are going to open up leisure (and maybe even commercial) photographers into owning telephoto lens.  

If you have the opportunity to try either one of the two telephoto lens, pair it with the RF Extender 2x and you would be able to see, feel and understand the power of Dual Pixel CMOS AF II in action, check out the AF at f/22. 

The materials used and built quality is pretty good for RF600mm and RF800mm lenses, considering that they are non L lenses. 

RF85mm f/2 IS STM

A popular focal length, the 85mm, ideal for portraits, can also be used as a macro lens as well. Affordable and lightweight. 

Final thoughts and views

Born to rule, a new era in the mirrorless camera segment, usability and durability, commitment to RF mount, EOS R full frame mirrorless. Excitement, Canon full-frame mirrorless is no longer playing catch up, it’s now leading the way.

Canon does listen to customers feedback and concerns, they are aware of the needs and wants of photographers. I still remember these two quotes that I wrote down, given by Canon Inc executives from my media sessions in 2016 at Canon EXPO Shanghai,

“We may look conservative but we know the trends” 

“We are not complacent”

Canon is and has always been committed to the mirrorless camera market, the messages were clear back then, even though there were no specific timeline nor indication of cameras to come. While Canon’s journey in full-frame mirrorless cameras, delivering the EOS R5 and EOS R6 to the market today in 2020, took a bit of a longer route and time, photographers now have a top range full-frame mirrorless EOS R5, accompanied by EOS R6, EOS R and EOS RP. Canon now has a range of different full-frame mirrorless cameras catering for most (if not all) photography genres.

The EOS R5 is highly suitable for production houses, commercial photographers, videographers, filmmakers, almost able to cover all genres of photography. A powerful hybrid camera for both stills photography and videography, the best of both worlds.

The price might be on the high side, yet given the power technical specifications, this is a worthy investment for the next 3-5 years, especially for those commercial photographers and production houses. 

What does the future holds for the EOS R and RF lenses family?

Canon has now set a high level benchmark for themselves and the full-frame mirrorless camera industry. Expectations would now be even higher. More RF lenses are on the pipeline, making the EOS R and RF mount series even more exciting in the very near future. 

An equivalent of the 1DX series EOS R? This would keep me very excited and interested.

On a personal/commercial photographer and videography/filmmaking approach

EOS R5, the hybrid camera for both commercial photography, videography and filmmaking. I always like the EOS 5D series and wanting to own a 5D Mark III or 5D Mark IV. The EOS R5 would be a great (almost perfect fit) as it covers both photography and videography. 

I have held back on getting a EOS 5D series as I am eagerly awaiting the next EOS R series camera even though I am using EOS RP and my trusted EOS-1DX Mark II. Now with the EOS R5 and R6, I have a good headache to plan, strategise and consider, how should I go about setting up my photography and videography combination, maybe it’s time to start my mini production house and digital marketing agency. 

The EOS R5 is the Canon full-frame professional mirrorless camera that many photographers are eagerly, anxiously or patiently waiting and wanting. It has finally arrived! Content creation and consumption of media is moving towards video in this current timeline and near future, the EOS R5 and R6 are going to be your trusted content creation gadgets.

I am most likely not buying the EOS R5 when it is officially out for sale in the market at the end of July 2020, as much as I would love to own this powerful packed (almost perfect) full-frame mirrorless camera, due to financial constraints and current economic downturn. However, I am looking at getting it some time down the road, maybe in 1 year’s time. The EOS R6 is good too, however my preference is the EOS R5. 

On the other hand, I do hope that I would be able to test and review the Canon EOS R5, EOS R6 and many more RF lenses that I would love to test and review, sharing with fellow photographers on Canon full-frame mirrorless photography through my Canon EOS RP Explorer Series Production. 

Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras journey has now transformed even further, setting a new standard for the full-frame mirrorless cameras industry. 

Born to Rule, the Canon EOS R5 has and will, leading the way for new full-frame mirrorless camera industry standards.

The post Short Hands on Experience with EOS R5, EOS R6 and new RF lenses appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

During the visit to Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai, this was also a maiden life experience for me, to attend two of Canon’s high level media interview/interaction sessions with Canon key senior management. An absolute golden opportunity personally to listen, have an idea on the new wave, the next wave and trends from Canon for the next 5 years and beyond.

For this article, I would not touch on financial reports because I am not writing this article as an analyst or an economist, nor business expansion plans in Asia Pacific. This is purely from me, first and foremost, as a photographer, followed by being a technology gadget enthusiast. I would be sharing my notes that I took and wrote down from the media interaction sessions with Canon key senior management during Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai.

Inside my article, I shared about Canon’s zone on the first floor of the Shanghai International Convention Centre titled “Beyond High Image Quality”. This is the zone where I was able to have a first hands on view of products and services, the next wave and trends from Canon. For my regular readers and supporters, you would probably have guessed which particular products that I am most interested in!

There were two media interactions with Canon’s key management over two different days –

• 19^th May 2016 Media Interaction with Mr Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO of Canon Inc

• 20^th May 2016 Media Interaction with Canon Imaging Products Group – High level intereview session with
• Mr Kazuto Ogawa, Managing Executive Officer of Canon Inc, Chief Operation Officer of Canon Asia Marketing Group, Executive Vice President of Canon (China) Co. Ltd
• Mr Go Tokura, Executive Officer of Canon Inc, Chief Executive of Imaging Communications Products Group
• Mr Ishii Toshiyuki,Vice President of Canon (China) Co. Ltd

• 120MP EOS Camera

This is the one and only prototype Canon DSLR in the world and it definitely attracted a lot of international media attention. Canon’s senior management highlighted that there is no timeline fixed on when the 120MP sensor would be out in the market.

With the development of the 120MP Canon EOS DSLR for the future, higher level quality lenses are being looked into for the future, to complement the 120MP EOS camera.

Personal views: At this juncture in time, Canon has 2 DSLRs, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R in the market equipped with a 50.4MP sensor. I am making a guess that a 80MP sensor is already in the works and might be ready in 2 years time before the 120MP sensor arrives in 2020?

• 8K Technology

The 4K technology is now getting more popular and widely accepted around the world today. The infrastructure and technology for 4K are now a part of our everyday life. Therefore, the next level up is the 8K technology, it is gentle to the eyes, sharp, clear and precise, watching 3D without goggles.

8K technology will take some time to be an integral part of our life, like the 4K technology of today’s society. Canon is targeting Tokyo Olympics Games 2020 as a good starting point for 8K broadcasting. For the further development of 8K cameras and videos, they would start after 2020.

• Mirrorless System

A topic on photographers minds, including myself. The mirrorless camera market has made headway over the past few years from competitors such as Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus. While for Canon, their mirrorless line up, the Canon EOS M is not as fast compared to their competitors.

From the media interaction sessions, Canon remains committed to the EOS M mirrorless line up. We should be able to see more of EF-M lenses, EOS M accessories and maybe a new EOS M mirrorless camera body in the near future.

This statement that I heard from the media interaction sessions, that I quickly wrote down, sealed my thoughts and thinking

“We may look conservative but we know the trends”

Would Canon produce a full frame EOS M mirrorless camera body? I certainly hope so and I certainly think so!

• High resolution printing

When I started learning photography with film SLR cameras in the late 80s and 90s, our photographs were printed at least on 4R photo paper, placed inside photo albums. With the revolution of technology, digital photography and storage solutions, printing photographs are not like before even there are more people taking photographs (professionally or leisure basis).

I re-discovered the art and love of photography printing again, moving beyond 4R prints into A3 photo prints and large format prints. Personally, I owned the PIXMA Pro-10 photo printer and it’s a good investment for me!

The famous and iconic Red Line in Canon’s photography family can also be seen in their printers, bringing professional quality photography printing up to A2 size that photography owners can have it in their homes with the ImagePROGRAF Pro 500. For commercial and large format photo printing solutions, Canon also has a wide range of printing solutions. At Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai, I personally experienced Canon’s high image quality printing and printing technology innovation, learning from their strong B2C base, bringing it into the B2B markets.

• Security Surveillance Systems

The need for security surveillance systems today have grown a lot, it is getting more important and crucial for business, organisations and governments around the world. The major cities around the world are expanding bigger thus leading to an increased demand for security surveillance systems.

Although security surveillance systems are predominantly a B2B market, there is potential growth for B2C market too.

• Smartphones and their impacts on the compact digital cameras

Smartphones, they have enormous impacts on how we live today, in both good and bad ways. The impacts of smartphones on photography are inevitable, the outcomes are in both good and bad ways too. The media contingent at the media interaction sessions were keen to know more about the impacts of smartphones on cameras.

Mr Fujio Mitarai spoke about this topic –

“Digital camera compete against smartphones. Use-ability, smartphone is better than digital camera. Digital cameras – better image quality and resolution.”

“Co-existing and collaborating with smartphones”

“Smartphones are part of daily life. Idea for the future, co-exist together with digital cameras”

In the other media interaction session, the key Canon management executives also spoke about this topic too –

“Smartphones affected the share of digital cameras, especially compact digital cameras”

Smartphones had eaten a lot into the compact digital camera market share worldwide and it doesn’t just affect Canon, it affect all the other camera brands that have compact digital camera models in their line-up.

“High end (high performance, high quality) compact digital cameras, complement smartphones”

This line that I wrote down during the media interaction, showcased Canon’s professionalism, business acumen and commitment in the areas of technology trends, market analysis, innovation and progression

“We are not complacent”

Mr Kazuto Ogawa gave a technology perspective insight on how smartphone helps photography growth

“More smartphone wars, more people interested in photography, attract more people”

“Smartphone complement photography”

From the words of the key Canon management executives over the two media interaction sessions, Canon understand and analyse the impacts of the smartphone on digital cameras, formulating and designing high quality high performance compact digital cameras to complement the smartphone.

There is a surge in people owning digital cameras and taking photographs nowadays, especially in the past 5-10 years. The impact of the smartphones, mobile phone photography helps to grow the consumer markets.

Looking at Canon’s compact digital cameras line-up (at this juncture in time), the Canon PowerShot G3 X leads their line up, followed by Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and PowerShot G5 X are the high end compact digital cameras that are suitable photography solutions to consumers in complementing their smartphone usage and lifestyle. I have reviewed the Canon PowerShot G5 X before and I liked this compact digital camera!

There was also a question asked by a member of the media contingent on whether Canon would be following a similar move embarked by Leica, whom Leica partner with Huawei in a smartphone collaboration known as the Huawei P9 smartphone. The Canon senior management replied that they would not be considering this option at this point in time.

• Internet of Things and Canon Eco-System

During Mr Fujio Mitarai during his keynote speech, he mentioned about the Internet of Things (IoT) as an area that they are looking into, to integrate the various Canon’s range of products and services together, forming the Canon Eco-System that seeks to live up to their corporate slogan “Delighting You Always”. After returning from Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai, I wrote a short article on Internet of Things, drawing my experiences, thoughts and feelings from what I saw, felt and learned during Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai.

The Internet of Things is opening up new worlds and Canon Group recognises the importance and significance for the future growth and expansion of their businesses. It’s about Experiencing, Communicating, Educating, Engaging, Exciting, Entertaining, Participating, Getting closer to each other between people & people, people & things, things & things. The relationship and ecosystem between Canon, their products and their customers, get closer and inter-connected right now, even more so in the future with the power of technology and the Internet of Things.

Many organisations around the world are talking about the Internet of Things as the next growth area, revolutionising business and their outreach towards their customers with technology, connectivity and gadgets. This growth area is estimated to be worth a potential of $14.4 trillion for companies worldwide (Source: Salesforce)

Internet of Things, connecting people, connecting technology, connecting eco-systems between people, devices and technology. Is the Internet of Things a whole new world out there or is it a world growing more connected?

Canon has the products, services and outreach. In my personal opinion, it’s about connecting everything together in their Canon Eco-System to make it a more holistic and enjoyable experience from the input (camera/video) to the output (printing/sharing), living up to their slogan “Delighting You Always”.

At the end of the Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai trip, I learned a lot more about Canon, their other products and services beyond the Canon photography that I know. The next amazing thing is to have a view of the the current wave, the new wave and trends of Canon’s products and services that might be arriving in the next 5 years or the near future.

Looking forward to the next 5 years ahead and eagerly awaiting for some of Canon’s products to be launched in the market! Which Canon products do you think that I am eagerly looking forward to?

The post The Next Wave and Trends (from Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.