Things are heating up in the world of camera rumors! Maybe it's the onset of summer in the southern hemisphere, but there is so much chatter about upcoming products and it feels like new cameras are around every corner.
While there are obviously plenty of mirrorless camera rumors – particularly as Fujifilm has its next X Summit coming up this month, Panasonic is announcing a new mystery camera, and there's the Olympic season that traditionally welcomes new flagship cameras – what's even cooler is that there are so many camera rumors about DSLRs and even film cameras!
As always, camera rumors often sound too good to be true – and there's a lot of nonsense on the internet. However, more often than not, where there's smoke there tends to be fire. So take a few pinches of salt and see what's on the way in 2024!
Canon rumors 2024
Canon is always the subject of more camera rumors than any other manufacturer, in large part because it has been the most prolific photographic patenter for 38 consecutive years.
Having filled out the EOS R range with cameras like the Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R100, and introduced a new product line with the Canon PowerShot V10 vlogging camera, what is the industry leader working on this year?
Canon EOS R1
Conspicuous by its absence at CES, CP+ and The Photography Show, it has been reported that Canon's new flagship has been plagued by problems with pre-production cameras in the testing phase and has been delayed to Q4 of this year. It appears that the burst mode and buffer depth have been causing trouble – two things that are pretty important, going against the 120fps speeds of the Sony A9 III and Nikon Z9 / Z8.
As far as specs go… listen, I've heard everything from 85MP stacked sensors to 30MP global shutter sensors. A month after stories broke that the R1 wouldn't go global, Canon's patent for a full frame global shutter sensor appeared online – shortly after a patent for a triple-layer stacked sensor.
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Personally, I think that Canon had a plan for the R1 that took some knocks when Nikon launched the Z9, and then really got knocked for a loop when the A9 III broke cover. How many times has Canon switched streams? I don't know, but it could account for all the conflicting spec leaks – and for the apparent delays due to problematic test cameras so late in the day (bearing in mind that this camera was supposed to have been announced in February, and been in people's hands in time for the Olympics).
The most recent, realistic specs are that the camera will have a 30MP stacked sensor, capable of shooting cropped bursts up to 240fps as well as 6.7K 60p video, with a 1/1,250 sec flash sync time and a completely electronic shutter.
The latter point would make sense, and is likely corroborated by Canon's patent for haptic feedback when silent shooting. I also hear that the camera will feature an even more accurate version of the Canon EOS R3's Eye Control AF, which enables you to move the focus points by looking around the EVF.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
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 the second half of 2024, and now there's chatter that it could be announced in May either just before or in sync with the new flagship.
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. 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 some new AF tricks. 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.
Canon EOS R6 Mark III
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
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
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
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 looks to 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
With the reports that the R1 won't use a global shutter sensor, could it be that the technology debuts in the next version of the EOS R3? It would make sense. The R1 is expected to be an all-purpose powerhouse, with high resolution and ISO sensitivity rather than just all-out speed. Global shutter sensors are designed to be fast, but the compromise is a higher base ISO and more restricted sensitivity.
The R3, meanwhile, is very specifically a speed-oriented sports camera. And with speed a priority over megapixels or ISO, a global shutter sensor feels like a much better fit in this product line. However, rumors suggest that we shouldn't expect a Canon EOS R3 Mark II until at least 2025.
Canon RE-1
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
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
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
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.
Canon EOS C50 and C90
Want more Cinema EOS? The Canon EOS C50 and C90 are supposedly set to join the Canon EOS C70 and Canon EOS R5C in the RF-mount cine cam lineup.
These have been long rumored, but are yet to make their expected debut at any of the broadcast trade shows where a launch would make sense. This could be due to the ongoing component crisis, of course.
The Canon verdict
What we think: Canon has gone all in on EOS R, discontinuing DSLR development and culling the EOS M line completely. The flagship EOS R1 is finally coming, as is a new R5, 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.
More camera rumors: Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh rumors