Now and next 2012-2017
With EOS now a mature system, features are becoming ever more refined – but Canon is really only just getting started…
Unlike many competing ‘mirrorless’ cameras, Canon stuck to the APS-C format
Both 2012 and 2013 were big years for EOS refinements and innovations. First came the 5D Mk III, which inherited many of the best features of the top-flight 1D X, including its new 61-point AF system that includes 41 cross-type points and five dual cross-type points, along with EOS ITR (intelligent Tracking and Recognition). The metering system was also upgraded; the 5D Mk III remains an excellent buy even today, as does the 6D, which was launched later the same year and remains Canon’s only consumergrade, full-frame DSLR.
In the mid-range sector, the EOS 650D added touchscreen operation to the vari-angle LCD of the preceding 600D, as well as Hybrid CMOS AF, in which phase-detection was available on the image sensor for continuous autofocus during movie capture.
An antidote to big, hulking professional stills and cinematic cameras such as the 1D X and C500 came in 2012, in the diminutive shape of the EOS M. This was Canon’s first ‘compact system camera’ which combined interchangeable lenses with a relatively small, lightweight camera body. The compactness was enabled by omitting a reflex mirror and through-the-lens optical viewfinder, relying instead on the LCD screen for shot composition. Unlike many competing ‘mirrorless’ system cameras, Canon stuck to the APS-C format, rather than downsizing the image sensor.
The following year saw the release of the EOS 100D, Canon’s smallest and lightest ever DSLR, along with the 700D that further improved on the 650D, especially in terms of its kit lens, which incorporated a new STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus system. Its advantages included virtually silent autofocusing with smooth, rather than jerky, transitions when shooting movies; and improved handling in which neither the front of the lens nor the focus ring rotated during autofocus.
Even bigger strides were made in the same year by the EOS 70D, which boasted a brand new ‘Dual Pixel CMOS AF’ image sensor. This enabled phase-detection autofocus across almost the whole image frame when using Live View or shooting movies, greatly increasing the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of
performance. The technology has since found a home in the succeeding EOS 80D enthusiast camera, as well as the latest 1D X Mk II and 5D Mk IV pro models.
Meanwhile, on the lens front 2013 also saw the launch of Canon’s most spectacular super-telephoto zoom lens. Yet another world’s first, the EF 200-400mm f/4l IS USM Extender 1.4x features a built-in tele-converter, which can be engaged by simply sliding a lever at the rear of the lens, boosting the maximum focal length to 560mm with no discernible loss of image quality.
Two years further down the line, Canon set new standards in highresolution photography with the EOS 5DS and 5DS R in 2015. They boasted the world’s highest pixel count for full-frame cameras, with 50.6Mp image sensors that rivalled or exceeded the digital backs of most medium format system cameras. They remain very much current in the EOS range, and have since been joined by 2016 launches including the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS 5D Mk IV, with yet more technological innovations. See this month’s Super Test (page 106) of fullframe cameras for full details.
Ain’t seen nothing yet
Just as we were going to press with this very issue, a full 30 years after the EOS 650 SLR, Canon has announced a new entry-level DSLR in the EOS 800D, as well as the new enthusiast-level 77D. Both of these are armed with a 24Mp sensor, new Digic 7 image processor and 45-point AF system, while both also capture 6fps. There’s also a new compact system camera in the form of the EOS M6. See page 102 for more details of all these new models, and watch out for full reviews very soon.
All in all, 30 illustrious years of innovation and evolution have brought us a staggering 101 EOS cameras, including 35 film cameras plus 66 digital still and cinema cameras. Renowned for their sheer quality and superb performance, over 80 million EOS cameras have been sold around the world in that time, with the current range offering 24 camera bodies and 97 EF lenses to choose from.
Canon’s EOS arsenal already has a glittering history, and we can’t wait to see what the next 30 years will bring.