When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. |
The CP+ 2026 show in Yokohama, Japan has begun. This is the biggest camera show on the planet and we generally see a lot of new gear from manufacturers as well as concepts. We haven't seen many things interesting from Canon in the concept department over the last few years, but this one is weird and wild. It looks like a ‘Canonblad'.
What are we looking at?
That's a great question. Formfactor isn't always indicitive of what is actually going on with a concept. Canon is showcasing two similar concept cameras with different labels.
- Concept Model A Retro Camera Design
- Concept Model B Simple Box Design
The first noticeable things with the naming is the “Retro Camera Design”. I have spoken about that in the past and there is a growing sentiment that Canon will do something in the “retro” space this year. However, this retro design isn't from anything in Canon's past.
This looks like a Hasselblad or Mamiya from years past with the box design and waist level viewfinder.
How it works
The design uses two mirrors. There is a mirror for the lens and that bounces up to a mirror that projects the image into the camera module. This is a design you'd expect to see in this form factor.
Canon doesn't dive too deep into what is going on here. They say that the concept is “looking directly into the light and shooting” and “recording the sense of realism as it is,”.
The other thing is the viewfinder is supposed to give the shooter a “film-like texture with the blur and bokeh appearing through the viewfinder”.
All of the operations of the cameras are manual.
Ok then.
Gallery
A Cool Concept
I think this is a pretty cool concept camera, I have always loved these styles of cameras. I'm not sure what Canon's goal is here outside of getting people talking. I think it's safe to assume we're not looking at a new line of cameras from Canon.
Canon was asking attendees to fill out questionaires about how they felt about each concept camera. While I don't think any sort of retro camera in this form-factor is coming, perhaps it's more to do with the aethetics like the pewter coloured controls on camera B, which I really like.
The questions Canon is asking may be related to the expected retro inspired camera coming in the future. How do people respond to the dials, shapes, operation and colours?
I suspect we'll see more coverage of this Canon concept camera from other outlets that are in attendance at CP+ and I look forward to learning more.
Just to be safe, I have preordered the preorder.
I guess with the "right" influencers Canon could sell thousands of it. 😉
I'm not sure this is the kind of retro camera people were expecting from Canon, but it surely is interesting
This same principle is used by 'I'm Back' digital backs, which are designed to convert film SLRs into digital cameras.
Check the date. Is it April 1st again already? 🤣
The Canon Wonder Camera - Canon Rumors
If they are going compact fixed lens, I was hoping for something more similar to a Canon Demi. Those are really neat looking, and would make a great sleek travel camera that can take some knocks.
And canon shows...this.
I'll keep saying it, expanding to L mount was my best camera moved since buying the R5. And since Tamron doesn't want to support L mount, might have to add a Nikon.
Relying on one brand in a heavily segmented camera market is dead dead.
Over the years I've read so many comments with the approach of getting rid of their current gear just to replace all of it with the same type of lenses etc...uh... well that doesn't make sense to me. The goal with these other mounts is to be able to purchase lenses that I simply cannot get or refuse to buy versions of on RF ( vcm cough prices cough cough).
I could care less if other kind of users are fine with canons offerings. I'm not. And my dollars will go elsewhere. if Canon create something that deserves my money I'll be happy to purchase it of the prices aren't ridiculous and mandatory stretching so they can save on materials.
Anyway...good job Canon.
Compare the EF 11-24/4 to the RF 10-20/4. Compare the Sigma 14/1.4 to the Canon 14/1.4. In both cases, the former is much larger than and double the weight of the latter, for IQ that is about the same. Save on materials? YES, please!