Camera Rumours & News - May 2020
May 27, 2020
The Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera (Source: Canon)
COVID-19 may have delayed the release and shipment of some of this year’s most talked about products. But it hasn’t stopped the product rumours, which hint that there’s a LOT of photography gear to look forward to over the coming months.
Get the scoop on the latest rumoured and confirmed product specs, release dates and updates from:
Canon Rumours
June or July: Canon EOS R5 or R6 & New Lenses to be Announced
Expect “major announcements” from Canon in June and July – likely the eagerly awaited Canon EOS R5 and/or widely rumoured Canon EOS R6, plus multiple new lenses.
Here are the latest reported specs for both cameras:
Latest Canon EOS R5 Specs
- New full-frame CMOS sensor
- Up to 12fps Mechanical Shutter
- Up to 20fps Silent Shutter
- 8K RAW (no crop) / 4K 120P
- 5-stop in-body image stabilisation (7-8 stops of correction when used with in-lens stabilisation)
- Internal recording
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF (with advanced animal AF for dogs, cats and birds) – available in 8K
- Dual card slots
- Free image.canon Cloud Service
- Rumoured Canon EOS R6 Specs
- 20MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- In-body image stabilisation
- 12 fps mechanical and 20 fps electronic shutter
- 4K 60p video
- Full HD 120p video
- Dual card slots
- No top-down screen
- Lower resolution EVF than the Canon EOS R5
- Lighter build quality than the Canon EOS R5
- Bluetooth 4.2
- LP-E6NH battery (same as the Canon EOS R5)
New Lenses
So what about the new lenses?
According to a Twitter source, Canon recently certified eight unreleased lenses, which likely include the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4-7.1L IS USM, Canon RF 1.4x Teleconverter and Canon RF 2.0x Teleconverter.
Another source reports that a small, select group of photographers and videographers is actively testing out a Canon RF 70-135mm f/2L USM lens, to be announced later this year.
Four More Canon Mirrorless Cameras Coming in 2020-21
Canon Watch says that 2020 should see another two Canon EOS M camera bodies, and possibly two prime EOS M lenses. It’s reported that these will be a successor to the Canon EOS M50 (possibly the ‘Canon EOS M60’ or ‘Canon EOS M50 Mark II’); a high-performance, IBIS-equipped “flagship” model superior to the Canon EOS M6 Mark II (possibly a ‘Canon EOS M5 Mark II’); a Canon EF-M 52mm f/2 STM lens and a EF-M 18-45mm f/2-4 IS STM lens.
As reported by Canon Rumors, Canon’s roadmap has another two Canon EOS R camera bodies scheduled for announcement and release in 2021. Further details are unknown, but speculation is already circulating about a Canon EOS RP follow-up and high-resolution version of the Canon EOS R5.
Browse the Latest Canon Cameras & Canon Lenses
Fuji Rumours & Firmware News
Firmware Update Turns Fuji X Cameras into Webcams
Fujifilm has just released a firmware update enabling the Fujifilm GFX 100, GFX 50S, GFX 50R, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3, and X-T4 to be used as webcams.
You can install the software on any PC and connect a compatible camera via USB to quickly and easily web conference or live stream with significantly higher image quality.
Coming Between Now & Early Next Year:
Fujinon XF 50mm f1.0, XF 70-300mm f4-5.6, and Mark II Lenses
Source: Fujifilm Rumors
In that same interview, Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida advised that the hotly anticipated Fujinon XF 50mm f1.0 (above)—the world’s first f1.0 lens with autofocus—is scheduled to launch in 2020.
At February’s Fujifilm X Summit, three other lenses were promised within 12 months. These, according to the rumours, will be a Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f4-5.6 (105-450mm equivalent ideal for sports and wildlife) and Mark II versions of current Fuji lenses.
Browse the Latest Fujifilm Cameras & Fujifilm Lenses
Nikon Rumours & News
Source: Nikon
Nikon to Accelerate Z-mount Lens Expansion
Nikon fans should see more Z series products sooner than expected, with Nikon planning to “move faster” on its mirrorless roadmap.
In a recent interview with French website Phototrend, Nikon Corp’s marketing team announced plans to speed up expansion of the Z mount lens range, led by strong demand for “an f2.8 trinity” and “pancake type lenses”.
This suggests that the Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 wide-angle could soon join the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Lens and soon-to-come Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens (Z-Mount), as might Nikon Z 28mm and 40mm compact primes.
Nikon’s marketing department also cited hybrid (photo and video) shooters as a key focus along with DX format (APS-C) hybrid cameras geared towards entry-level customers.
Rumoured: At Least Two New Nikon Mirrorless Cameras in 2020
Tip-offs persist in saying that two or more new Nikon mirrorless cameras will launch this year.
Strong suggestions include:
- A ‘Nikon Z30’ entry-level APS-C format camera with no electronic viewfinder
- A ‘Nikon Z8’ professional model, anticipated late this year or early next year
- A new Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless camera below the Z7 (Z5 or possibly a Z6 replacement)
One of these (likely the ‘Nikon Z30’) could be the camera model (‘N1933’) that Nikon recently registered in Taiwan – an interchangeable lens camera with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Nikon’s new higher capacity EN-EL15c battery. This new camera is reportedly compatible with the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens and Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight Flash.
It’s also said that the Nikon D850 successor will share similar specs with the upcoming Nikon Z8.
Browse the Latest Nikon Cameras & Nikon Lenses
Olympus News & Rumours
Source: Olympus
Olympus 100-400mm f5.0-6.3 IS Lens Coming in June?
We’re still awaiting further news of the eagerly awaited Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens (scheduled between September and November).
But 43rumors.com reports that the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f5.0-6.3 IS super telephoto lens on Olympus’ roadmap will launch sooner – perhaps as early as June.
In Development: Olympus 500mm f4 and 100mm f2.8 Macro IS PRO Lenses
As confirmed by Newsswitch, an incredible Olympus 500mm f4.0 lens (1000mm full frame equivalent) with 2x teleconverter (which will increase the lens’ effective range to 2000mm) is still in development.
German site Oly-forum confirmed that, based on popular demand, an Olympus 100mm f2.8 Macro IS PRO lens is also underway.
Olympus Lens Patents
What else will we see from Olympus’ roadmap? It’s all speculation at the moment, but lenses patented by Olympus in recent years could offer some clues:
- Olympus 8-24mm f4 zoom lens
- Olympus 10mm f1.4 prime lens
- Olympus 12mm f1.4 prime lens
- Olympus 14mm f1.4 prime lens
- Olympus 16mm f1.4 prime lens
- Olympus 300-500mm f2.8-4 telephoto zoom lens
Stay tuned for more Olympus product updates!
Browse the Latest Olympus Cameras & Olympus Lenses
Panasonic Rumours & News
New Panasonic S1H Firmware Update
Earlier this week Panasonic released a firmware update providing a range of enhanced video functions, performance improvements and additional features for the LUMIX S1H.
Panasonic L-mount Lens Roadmap
L-mount Lenses Coming in 2021
Now that the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens has been released, it seems that Panasonic has five L-mount lenses left to unveil in 2020-21. As well as a standard zoom (which was likely the new Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6) the roadmap also promises a fast wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom plus three prime lenses: a 24mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8. According to a Phototrend interview with Panasonic’s Yosuke Yamane, these primes will be launched by the end of next year.
Panasonic GH6 Being Announced This Year
Talk of a Panasonic GH6 continues to spread thick and fast. In late April, a Facebook user named Joseph Paul reported that the GH5 replacement would be released in early 2021. Paul claimed that there would be three models—the GH6, GH6V and GH6X (varying by orientation)—and features would include:
- a 41MP Sony sensor
- a new in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system
- faster, next-generation autofocus
- 6K (possibly even 8K) recording
- longer battery life
If reports are true, expect an announcement on the Panasonic GH6 in August/September this year.
More Confirmed & Rumoured Panasonic Products
- More affordable full frame L-mount cameras, but no APS-C cameras – reported by Panasonic
- f1.2 micro four-thirds prime lenses – patented by Panasonic
- Panasonic GX10 camera – rumoured to be announced in the first half of 2021
- Lumix S1V L-mount cine camera – an enhanced S1H rumoured to include an 11.8MP full frame sensor, dual native ISO WDR, OFPD enhanced DFD AF, 4K 96p 3:2 OpenGate, 4K 120p DCI 4K and 4K 160p 2.39:1
Source: Panasonic FF
Browse the Latest Panasonic Cameras & Panasonic Lenses
New Cameras & 12-24mm GM Lens Coming in June?
Following the recent launch of the Sony ZV-1 vlog camera, reports say that June will bring another, even bigger, announcement – the long-awaited Sony a7s II replacement, a Sony 12-24mm f2.8 GM lens, and a “surprise” camera.
Here’s what the Sony a7s II successor will reportedly include:
- At least 4K/60, 10-bit 4:2:2 video
- Some features that go “beyond…expectations”
- “More battery power, increased AF accuracy”
- 4K 120p video (but no 8K)
- Thicker body with a cooling vent
- Similar improvements to the Sony a9 II (autofocus, build quality, weather sealing)
- Fully articulating screen (like with the Sony ZV-1)
So what could the other “surprise” camera be? According to source Nokishita, Sony recently registered (in China) a new model with 5.1GHz Wi-Fi, which suggests a high-end camera – perhaps a new addition to the Sony RX series.
Rumoured Sony Lenses
Here’s what other Sony and third-party E-mount lenses are allegedly coming or in development:
- A new Sony f1.2 prime lens
- A new Sony FE 300mm f2.8 telephoto
- A Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 E-mount zoom lens
- Three more E-mount Tamron lenses
- A “mirrorless version” of the Zeiss OTUS lens series
- A Laowa f0.95 FE lens series coming next year
Sony Patents
Recent patents suggest other possible new Sony and Sony-compatible products. These include:
- Sony 100mm f1.4 and Sony 500mm f4 lenses
- A Sigma 50mm f1.2 FE lens
- A Sony medium format camera with curved sensor and 84mm f2.9 (above) and 161mm, 258mm, 323mm and 387mm f2.8 interchangeable lenses
- A new Sony drone camera
Source: SonyAlphaRumors.com
Browse the Latest Sony Cameras & Sony Lenses
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