Canon has confirmed that it's soon going to release a full-frame mirrorless camera capable of shooting not just 4K, but also 8K video.
In an interview with Imaging Resource, the company's product planning executive Yoshiyuki Mizoguchi said that an 8K-capable camera is "already in our EOS R-series roadmap."
By EOS-R, Mizoguchi is referring to Canon's new lineup of full-frame mirrorless cameras unveiled in Tokyo this past September.
Canon Confirms 8K Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
Mizoguchi also said that Canon is not just looking at video from a camera's perspective. It's also trying to figure out how to improve RF lenses for better video capture. True enough, Canon has indeed released lenses that primarily address common problems related to taking videos.
"For example, the RF 24-105mm f/4L was the first L-series lens with Nano USM technology, which contributes to silent and smooth autofocus while shooting video," he said.
Despite that, Canon was late in the game. While most camera manufacturers quickly introduced 4K-capable mirrorless shooters parallel to the rapid popularity of 4K content, Canon didn't release one until early 2018, which was the EOS M50.
Fortunately, the new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera does feature 4K shooting, but several users have complained that it's hindered by an 1.8x crop factor, and its maximum framerate of 30 frames per second is a definite deal-breaker for some.
That being said, if what Mizoguchi is teasing turns out to be true, then Canon stands to be one of the first camera manufacturers in the world to release a full-frame mirrorless camera that can shoot 8K video. This could have a lot of implications not just within Canon, but also for the camera industry at large.
Canon Is Done Playing Around
For one, it could mean Canon is done dilly-dallying around and is ready to take on Sony, one of the most formidable names in camera innovation. Not only that, but suppose the camera in question turns out to be successful, it could kickstart to proliferation of 8K capable cameras in the mainstream, which then could lower the prices down eventually and put 8K within reach of most people.
These are all speculative, of course, and there's no saying when Canon plans to release this 8K-capable behemoth. In any case, Mizoguchi says Canon will still vigorously develop its line of DSLRs, citing "very strong demand" for that category.
Make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more. In the meantime, feel free to sound off in the comments section below if you have any thoughts!
