How Canon Reinvented Itself for Mirrorless:
After a slow start Canon is now dominating the mirrorless market
By Jason Schneider
The Panasonic Lumix G1 of 2008, a Micro Four Thirds-format interchangeable lens camera, was the first of the breed dubbed "mirrorless."
It seems amazing, but mirrorless cameras were not really a thing until that term was coined to describe the Panasonic Lumix G1, a Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera that was introduced in 2008. Despite the sketchiness of naming this emerging category of compact, interchangeable lens cameras after a feature they do not possess, the term “mirrorless” stuck, and others like “MILC” (for mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) and “CSC” (for compact system camera) have fallen by the wayside. The initial crop of mirrorless cameras was dismissed by serious photographers because their relatively low-res LCDs and electronic viewfinders (EVFs) had sluggish refresh rates and provided a substandard viewing and monitoring experience that couldn’t compare to a DSLR’s optical viewfinder and higher-res LCD. They were also pokey in terms of their AF performance and their batteries usually had to be recharged more frequently. However mirrorless cameras have inherent advantages in being able to focus, meter, and perform other functions before, during, and after the exposure, can achieve more compact form factors with shorter flange focal distances that provide much greater optical flexibility in designing compact, high performance lenses that deliver enhanced performance, and enable faster burst rates, superior video parameters, and enhanced (boosted) viewing in low light. Once the refresh rates, resolution, and color accuracy of their EVFs and LCDs were brought up to speed through steady advances in technology, mirrorless cameras simply had greater upside potential for future development and that’s why they’ve effectively surpassed all but a few remaining flagship DLRs and now dominate the market.
The EOS M of 2012 was Canon's first mirrorless camera. Perky and cute this APS-C-format compact had an EF-M mount that's still in use.
Canon’s first mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS M of 2012, was an attractive 18MP APS-C format compact with an EF-M mount, an electronic shutter, and a DIGIG-5 processor—essentially a mirrorless iteration of the Canon EOS 650D—but it was not a game-changer. It was, in turn superseded by the Canon EOS M2 (2013), the EOS M10 (2015) the EOS M100 (2017), and the EOS M200 (2019) and the still current 24.1 MP, APS-C-format Canon EOS M50 Mark II with a DIGIC 8 image processor and capable of shooting 4K video at 23.98 fps. However, Canon didn’t start becoming a serious contender in the serious enthusiast, upscale sector of the mirrorless market until it launched the full frame Canon EOS R with a new full frame RF mount in 2018, and only really took off with the release of the Canon EOS R5 and R6 (2020) and pro-caliber R3 (2021), the subsequent APS-C format EOS R10 and R7 (2022), and finally the full frame Canon EOS 6 Mark II in late 2022.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II: Current 24.1 MP, APS-C-format M-series EOS has a DIGIC 8 image processor, can shoot 4K video at 23.98 fps!
It's noteworthy that one of the defining moments in the emergence of the mirrorless camera market came with Sony’s introduction of the first professional full frame mirrorless camera, the Sony a7, back in 2013, which incorporated fast phase-detect AF. In that same year, mirrorless cameras accounted for roughly 5% of total camera shipments, but by 2015 that had risen to 26% outside the U.S, and 16% within the U.S. In 2018 Sony announced the a9 with 693 AF points and a maximum 20fps burst rate, unleashed the 42MP Sony a7RIII with a 10-fps maximum full-res burst rate, and Nikon brought forth its new mirrorless full frame Z-mount cameras, the Nikon Z6 and Z7.
Sony a7 of 2013, the first pro-level full frame mirrorless camera, redefined the category with features like fast phase-detection AF, and more.
At this point Canon was clearly playing catch-up with the EOS R, despite its wide 54mm diameter RF mount with a 20mm flange focal distance and an advanced IBIS hybrid AF system. However, according to one detailed comparison test published at the time, the EOS R still managed to upstage its archrival, the Nikon Z7, offering the following advantages: 5162 more focus points (5655 vs 493), 40 shots longer battery life (370 shots vs 330 shots), phase detection AF for shooting videos, a built-in HDR mode for enhanced video adjustment capability in post-production, a 336Mps higher movie recording bitrate (480Mbps vs 144Mbps), and a 1.56x higher maximum ISO (ISO 40000 vs ISO 25600).
Canon, Sony, and Nikon go head-to-head in the mirrorless aren
What’s even more important than the outcome of any individual head-to-head victory is that Canon hung in there, steadily improving the feature set and ergonomics of each consecutive model in the R-series mirrorless line, sequentially rolling a diversified line of very competitive Canon R mirrorless cameras at every price point, from broad spectrum entry level to full-on professional. A stellar example is the popular current pro-aimed Canon EOS R5 that features a new 45MP full-frame CMOS mated to an advanced DIGIX X image processor, and an AF system that can lock onto and capture fast-moving subjects with impressive accuracy and speed. When using the mechanical shutter, it can shoot at up to 12 fps, and up to 20 fps using the nearly silent electronic shutter. Like its stable mate the EOS R6, it employs Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II that provides nearly 100% coverage of the AF area and has a built-in EOS iTR AF X system that uses AF-tracking algorithms and Deep Learning to continually optimize and enhance the readout speed of the sensor and the processing speed. Its 1,053-automatically-selected AF zones can detect a human eye, face, or head, as well as the eyes, faces and bodies of animals and instantly adjust the focus. Other key features: a 5-axis in-body image stabilizer that works with the optical image stabilizer in IS-equipped RF lenses to provide up to 8 stops of anti-shake, a native ISO 100–51,200 range that’s expandable to ISO 102,400, internal video recording at 8K RAW at up to 29.9 fps, 8K internal video at up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2/10-bit HDR PQ (H.265), and 4K internal video recording at up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). Its 0.5-inch, 5.76M-dot EVF has a 119.88-fps refresh rate, it sports a 3.2-inch, 2.1M-dot Vari-angle touchscreen LCD, and offers separate slots for CFexpress and SD UHS-II cards, built-in 5GHz/2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the ability to voice-tag photos and videos. It’s all built into a rugged weatherproof body. Street price: $3,599.00 body only.
Canon EOS R5 features a 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor, an advanced DIGIX X image processor, and a fast, decisive pro-level AF system.
Top-of-the-line Canon EOS R3 provides performance parameters and construction that equal or surpass the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III SLR.
The current top-of-the line Canon EOS R professional mirrorless camera is the Canon EOS R3, which employs a 24.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS sensor coupled with Canon’s state-of-the-art DIGIC X image processor to deliver the full complement of technology from the mirrorless EOS R system along with the robustness and performance parameters of its acclaimed flagship DSLR. The stacked sensor provides ultra-fast readout speeds to minimize the effects of rolling shutter distortion, benefitting video recording and shooting high-speed bursts. This advanced sensor/processor combo enables such impressive performance parameters as sensitivity settings from ISO 100-102400 (expandable to ISO 50-204800), continuous burst rates of up to 30 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 150 frames (Raw)/540 frames (JPEG) with the electronic shutter and up to 12 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 1,000 frames (Raw)/ 100 frames (JPEG) with the mechanical shutter. Video recording specs are equally outstanding; it can capture H.265/MP4 4:2:2 10-bit internal video in DCI 4K at 23.98, 24.00,29.97,50, 59.94, and 100 fps, external 4:2:2 10-Bit video via HDMI in DCI 4K at 23.98, 24.00, 25, 29.97, 50, and 59.94 fps, and UHD 4K at 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50 and 59.94 fps. 6K Raw video with Dual Pixel AF II and HDR-PQ recording are also possible. Other EOS R3 features include: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1053 points covering the entire sensor area auth AF down to -7.5 EV, Eye Control AF useable with focus tracking, 5-axis sensor shift In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) that provides an impressive 8-stop anti-shake-effect advantage, a 5.7 M-Dot OLED EVF with 0.76x magnification and a 120 fps refresh rate, a 3.2-inch vari-angle, 4.25m-Dot touchscreen LCD, an electronic shutter with speeds to 1/64,000 sec and flash sync up to 1/180 sec, 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity plus a built-in GPS module, and dual memory card slots for CFexpress Type B, and SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) cards respectively. All this and a lot more are built into a robust, ergonomic, magnesium alloy body with an integrated vertical grip that’s built to the same weather-sealed standards as the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III. Street price: $5,799.00, body only.
Canon’s worthy Sony and Nikon competitors: The battle continues!
Sony Alpha 1: It’s not only the flagship of the Alpha line of full frame mirrorless cameras but also the most technologically advanced Sony ever. The Alpha 1 employs Sony’s latest high efficiency stacked 50.1MP Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor coupled to its most advanced state-of-the-art BIONZ XR processing engine. This combo delivers such impressive performance parameters as a continuous full-res framing rate of 30 fps with AF and AE, 8K30p and 4K120p 10-bit video recording with internal 4:2:2 10-bit sampling, and 16-bit raw output via the full-size HDMI, and an extended sensitivity range of ISO 50-102400 with a 15-stop dynamic range. The sensor also incorporates a 759-point Fast Hybrid AF system with 425 contrast-detect points and noticeably upgraded focus tracking, Real-time Eye AF on people and animals, and a dedicated Bird Mode. Other key features: a hi-res 9.44m-dot OLED EVF with a 240-fps refresh rate, a 3.0-inch 1.44m-dot tilting touchscreen, an upgraded electronic shutter that provides flash sync at up to 1/200 sec, and up to 1/400 sec when used with the upgraded mechanical shutter. In addition, its enhanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization can correct for pitch and yaw, it has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity, an ISB 3.2 Gen 1, micro-USB, and Ethernet ports, and dual memory card slots that both accept CFexpress or SD UHS-II cards. As you’d expect, the Alph1 offers an extensive range of customizable color and gamma controls including S-Log2 and S-log3 Gamma and provides XAVC and XAVC S-1 codecs to suit different workflows. Its body features comprehensive weather sealing and is built on a robust magnesium alloy chassis. Street price: $6,498.00, body only.
Sony Alpha 1: Sony's flagship pro model is a formidable competitor with a full-res burst rate of 30 fps and can capture 8K 30p video!
Nikon's top-of-the-line pro Z9 features an FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor coupled to an advanced EXPEED 7 image processor.
Nikon Z9: The heart of Nikon’s rugged new top-of-the-line mirrorless crossover Z is an FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor integrated with Nikon’s latest most advanced EXPEED 7 image processor. This state-of-the-art combo is claimed to reduce rolling shutter effects, deliver AF speeds 10x faster, enable sensitivity settings from ISO 64-25600 (expandable to ISO 32-102400), and provide continuous shooting speeds of 20 fps (RAW), 30 fps (JPEG), and up to 120 fps (!) when recording 11MP stills from video, all while supporting full AF and AE. The Z9 is also able to buffer over 1,000 RAW images in a single burst (equal to 50 sec of continuous recording), has a nearly silent electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/32,000 for working in bright light (no mechanical shutter is required!), and can capture 8K video at 30 fps, 4K video at up to 120 fps and oversampled 4K video at 30 fps for increased sharpness and detail. Other features: high speed 493-point phase-detection AF enabling AF at 120 fps and providing Starlight mode for focusing down to -8.5 EV(!), Subject Detection with Deep Learning Technology, Auto-Area AF, Eye-Detection AF, Dynamic-Area AF, and 3D Tracking, internal recording with 10-bit color and 4:2:2 sampling in a variety of codecs, a 10-bit N-Log setting, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) for creating HDR content in camera. The camera incorporates a Real-Live 3.69m-dot OLED EVF with adjustable luminance, a Four-Axis 3.2-inch, 2.1m-dot tilting touch-screen LCD, Dual CFexpress Type B memory card slots that are compatible with XQD cards, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4 and 5 GHz), and in-body Vibration Reduction (VR) with Synchro VR (with select lenses) providing up to 6 stops of compensation to minimize the effects of camera shake. It’s all built into a rugged, weather resistant body with a magnesium alloy chassis that’s 20% smaller than the flagship Nikon D6 SLR. Street price: $5,496.95, body only.
Selected stats on the Mirrorless Marketplace
According to a Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence bulletin, the global mirrorless market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.67% over the forecast period, reaching a market size of $2.54 billion in 2026, up from an actual level of $1.97 billion in 2019, due to a rise in disposable income, changing consumer lifestyles, increasing urbanization, etc. It's also significant that Canon, Nikon, and Sony (among others) have invested considerable capital to enhance their mirrorless portfolios, one notable example being Canon’s EOS R3 introduced to compete directly with Nikon’s impressive high-end, pro-aimed Z9.
According to CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) data mirrorless cameras are now the “beating financial heart” of the imaging industry, accounting for 38% of the units shipped but 67% of their value. And based on the latest figures Canon has nearly half the camera market share (46.5%), or nearly double the share of Sony (26.1%), with Nikon at a distant third place (11.7%). Note: This report does not make any distinction between mirrorless cameras and other types, such as DSLRs. Nevertheless, Canon’s mirrorless market share is still higher than Sony’s at 1.54 million units compared to 1.25 million units, but Sony is ahead in terms of the value of mirrorless cameras sold at 565 billion yen vs. Canon’s 506.7 billion yen. This difference is attributable to the fact that Sony concentrates on higher-end mirrorless models aimed at pros whereas Canon’s mirrorless cameras serve a more diversified, broad-spectrum demographic that includes pros, enthusiasts, and casual shooters. In short, Canon excels when it comes to selling more affordable mirrorless cameras. In terms of market share the current breakdown hasn’t changed much compared to previous years, with Canon increasing its lead by 0.7%, Sony falling by only 0.9%, and Nikon rising by 0.4%. One bright spot for Sony: CIPA stats for 2022 show Sony edging out Canon in mirrorless camera sales in Japan, at 32% and 28% of the market respectively.
The bottom line
Perhaps the best summation of Canon’s success in the mirrorless came in an interview we conducted with the astute manager of a large midwestern photo specialty dealer that wishes to remain anonymous.
“Canon has a mirrorless camera for everybody, and they cover the price points better than anyone. In general Canon mirrorless cameras have superior ergonomics and more intuitive controls than Sony’s which are technological marvels but not as handy or convenient, and even Nikon’s, which perform extremely well and feel great in the hand but use too many buttons to access various features. Canon got serious with the Canon EOS R in 2018, and steadily improved it in terms of features, specs, and a more intuitive user interface, and that’s why they’re in the lead at the present time. But make no mistake, this is a fiercely competitive sector of the market and great companies such Nikon and Sony are not about to sit idly by and let Canon eat their lunch. As someone once said. ‘Competition is the right arm of America’ and mirrorless camera fans are going to have some phenomenal new options going forward.”
After a slow start Canon is now dominating the mirrorless market
By Jason Schneider
The Panasonic Lumix G1 of 2008, a Micro Four Thirds-format interchangeable lens camera, was the first of the breed dubbed "mirrorless."
It seems amazing, but mirrorless cameras were not really a thing until that term was coined to describe the Panasonic Lumix G1, a Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera that was introduced in 2008. Despite the sketchiness of naming this emerging category of compact, interchangeable lens cameras after a feature they do not possess, the term “mirrorless” stuck, and others like “MILC” (for mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) and “CSC” (for compact system camera) have fallen by the wayside. The initial crop of mirrorless cameras was dismissed by serious photographers because their relatively low-res LCDs and electronic viewfinders (EVFs) had sluggish refresh rates and provided a substandard viewing and monitoring experience that couldn’t compare to a DSLR’s optical viewfinder and higher-res LCD. They were also pokey in terms of their AF performance and their batteries usually had to be recharged more frequently. However mirrorless cameras have inherent advantages in being able to focus, meter, and perform other functions before, during, and after the exposure, can achieve more compact form factors with shorter flange focal distances that provide much greater optical flexibility in designing compact, high performance lenses that deliver enhanced performance, and enable faster burst rates, superior video parameters, and enhanced (boosted) viewing in low light. Once the refresh rates, resolution, and color accuracy of their EVFs and LCDs were brought up to speed through steady advances in technology, mirrorless cameras simply had greater upside potential for future development and that’s why they’ve effectively surpassed all but a few remaining flagship DLRs and now dominate the market.
The EOS M of 2012 was Canon's first mirrorless camera. Perky and cute this APS-C-format compact had an EF-M mount that's still in use.
Canon’s first mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS M of 2012, was an attractive 18MP APS-C format compact with an EF-M mount, an electronic shutter, and a DIGIG-5 processor—essentially a mirrorless iteration of the Canon EOS 650D—but it was not a game-changer. It was, in turn superseded by the Canon EOS M2 (2013), the EOS M10 (2015) the EOS M100 (2017), and the EOS M200 (2019) and the still current 24.1 MP, APS-C-format Canon EOS M50 Mark II with a DIGIC 8 image processor and capable of shooting 4K video at 23.98 fps. However, Canon didn’t start becoming a serious contender in the serious enthusiast, upscale sector of the mirrorless market until it launched the full frame Canon EOS R with a new full frame RF mount in 2018, and only really took off with the release of the Canon EOS R5 and R6 (2020) and pro-caliber R3 (2021), the subsequent APS-C format EOS R10 and R7 (2022), and finally the full frame Canon EOS 6 Mark II in late 2022.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II: Current 24.1 MP, APS-C-format M-series EOS has a DIGIC 8 image processor, can shoot 4K video at 23.98 fps!
It's noteworthy that one of the defining moments in the emergence of the mirrorless camera market came with Sony’s introduction of the first professional full frame mirrorless camera, the Sony a7, back in 2013, which incorporated fast phase-detect AF. In that same year, mirrorless cameras accounted for roughly 5% of total camera shipments, but by 2015 that had risen to 26% outside the U.S, and 16% within the U.S. In 2018 Sony announced the a9 with 693 AF points and a maximum 20fps burst rate, unleashed the 42MP Sony a7RIII with a 10-fps maximum full-res burst rate, and Nikon brought forth its new mirrorless full frame Z-mount cameras, the Nikon Z6 and Z7.
Sony a7 of 2013, the first pro-level full frame mirrorless camera, redefined the category with features like fast phase-detection AF, and more.
At this point Canon was clearly playing catch-up with the EOS R, despite its wide 54mm diameter RF mount with a 20mm flange focal distance and an advanced IBIS hybrid AF system. However, according to one detailed comparison test published at the time, the EOS R still managed to upstage its archrival, the Nikon Z7, offering the following advantages: 5162 more focus points (5655 vs 493), 40 shots longer battery life (370 shots vs 330 shots), phase detection AF for shooting videos, a built-in HDR mode for enhanced video adjustment capability in post-production, a 336Mps higher movie recording bitrate (480Mbps vs 144Mbps), and a 1.56x higher maximum ISO (ISO 40000 vs ISO 25600).
Canon, Sony, and Nikon go head-to-head in the mirrorless aren
What’s even more important than the outcome of any individual head-to-head victory is that Canon hung in there, steadily improving the feature set and ergonomics of each consecutive model in the R-series mirrorless line, sequentially rolling a diversified line of very competitive Canon R mirrorless cameras at every price point, from broad spectrum entry level to full-on professional. A stellar example is the popular current pro-aimed Canon EOS R5 that features a new 45MP full-frame CMOS mated to an advanced DIGIX X image processor, and an AF system that can lock onto and capture fast-moving subjects with impressive accuracy and speed. When using the mechanical shutter, it can shoot at up to 12 fps, and up to 20 fps using the nearly silent electronic shutter. Like its stable mate the EOS R6, it employs Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II that provides nearly 100% coverage of the AF area and has a built-in EOS iTR AF X system that uses AF-tracking algorithms and Deep Learning to continually optimize and enhance the readout speed of the sensor and the processing speed. Its 1,053-automatically-selected AF zones can detect a human eye, face, or head, as well as the eyes, faces and bodies of animals and instantly adjust the focus. Other key features: a 5-axis in-body image stabilizer that works with the optical image stabilizer in IS-equipped RF lenses to provide up to 8 stops of anti-shake, a native ISO 100–51,200 range that’s expandable to ISO 102,400, internal video recording at 8K RAW at up to 29.9 fps, 8K internal video at up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2/10-bit HDR PQ (H.265), and 4K internal video recording at up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). Its 0.5-inch, 5.76M-dot EVF has a 119.88-fps refresh rate, it sports a 3.2-inch, 2.1M-dot Vari-angle touchscreen LCD, and offers separate slots for CFexpress and SD UHS-II cards, built-in 5GHz/2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the ability to voice-tag photos and videos. It’s all built into a rugged weatherproof body. Street price: $3,599.00 body only.
Canon EOS R5 features a 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor, an advanced DIGIX X image processor, and a fast, decisive pro-level AF system.
Top-of-the-line Canon EOS R3 provides performance parameters and construction that equal or surpass the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III SLR.
The current top-of-the line Canon EOS R professional mirrorless camera is the Canon EOS R3, which employs a 24.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS sensor coupled with Canon’s state-of-the-art DIGIC X image processor to deliver the full complement of technology from the mirrorless EOS R system along with the robustness and performance parameters of its acclaimed flagship DSLR. The stacked sensor provides ultra-fast readout speeds to minimize the effects of rolling shutter distortion, benefitting video recording and shooting high-speed bursts. This advanced sensor/processor combo enables such impressive performance parameters as sensitivity settings from ISO 100-102400 (expandable to ISO 50-204800), continuous burst rates of up to 30 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 150 frames (Raw)/540 frames (JPEG) with the electronic shutter and up to 12 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 1,000 frames (Raw)/ 100 frames (JPEG) with the mechanical shutter. Video recording specs are equally outstanding; it can capture H.265/MP4 4:2:2 10-bit internal video in DCI 4K at 23.98, 24.00,29.97,50, 59.94, and 100 fps, external 4:2:2 10-Bit video via HDMI in DCI 4K at 23.98, 24.00, 25, 29.97, 50, and 59.94 fps, and UHD 4K at 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50 and 59.94 fps. 6K Raw video with Dual Pixel AF II and HDR-PQ recording are also possible. Other EOS R3 features include: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1053 points covering the entire sensor area auth AF down to -7.5 EV, Eye Control AF useable with focus tracking, 5-axis sensor shift In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) that provides an impressive 8-stop anti-shake-effect advantage, a 5.7 M-Dot OLED EVF with 0.76x magnification and a 120 fps refresh rate, a 3.2-inch vari-angle, 4.25m-Dot touchscreen LCD, an electronic shutter with speeds to 1/64,000 sec and flash sync up to 1/180 sec, 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity plus a built-in GPS module, and dual memory card slots for CFexpress Type B, and SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) cards respectively. All this and a lot more are built into a robust, ergonomic, magnesium alloy body with an integrated vertical grip that’s built to the same weather-sealed standards as the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III. Street price: $5,799.00, body only.
Canon’s worthy Sony and Nikon competitors: The battle continues!
Sony Alpha 1: It’s not only the flagship of the Alpha line of full frame mirrorless cameras but also the most technologically advanced Sony ever. The Alpha 1 employs Sony’s latest high efficiency stacked 50.1MP Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor coupled to its most advanced state-of-the-art BIONZ XR processing engine. This combo delivers such impressive performance parameters as a continuous full-res framing rate of 30 fps with AF and AE, 8K30p and 4K120p 10-bit video recording with internal 4:2:2 10-bit sampling, and 16-bit raw output via the full-size HDMI, and an extended sensitivity range of ISO 50-102400 with a 15-stop dynamic range. The sensor also incorporates a 759-point Fast Hybrid AF system with 425 contrast-detect points and noticeably upgraded focus tracking, Real-time Eye AF on people and animals, and a dedicated Bird Mode. Other key features: a hi-res 9.44m-dot OLED EVF with a 240-fps refresh rate, a 3.0-inch 1.44m-dot tilting touchscreen, an upgraded electronic shutter that provides flash sync at up to 1/200 sec, and up to 1/400 sec when used with the upgraded mechanical shutter. In addition, its enhanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization can correct for pitch and yaw, it has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity, an ISB 3.2 Gen 1, micro-USB, and Ethernet ports, and dual memory card slots that both accept CFexpress or SD UHS-II cards. As you’d expect, the Alph1 offers an extensive range of customizable color and gamma controls including S-Log2 and S-log3 Gamma and provides XAVC and XAVC S-1 codecs to suit different workflows. Its body features comprehensive weather sealing and is built on a robust magnesium alloy chassis. Street price: $6,498.00, body only.
Sony Alpha 1: Sony's flagship pro model is a formidable competitor with a full-res burst rate of 30 fps and can capture 8K 30p video!
Nikon's top-of-the-line pro Z9 features an FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor coupled to an advanced EXPEED 7 image processor.
Nikon Z9: The heart of Nikon’s rugged new top-of-the-line mirrorless crossover Z is an FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor integrated with Nikon’s latest most advanced EXPEED 7 image processor. This state-of-the-art combo is claimed to reduce rolling shutter effects, deliver AF speeds 10x faster, enable sensitivity settings from ISO 64-25600 (expandable to ISO 32-102400), and provide continuous shooting speeds of 20 fps (RAW), 30 fps (JPEG), and up to 120 fps (!) when recording 11MP stills from video, all while supporting full AF and AE. The Z9 is also able to buffer over 1,000 RAW images in a single burst (equal to 50 sec of continuous recording), has a nearly silent electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/32,000 for working in bright light (no mechanical shutter is required!), and can capture 8K video at 30 fps, 4K video at up to 120 fps and oversampled 4K video at 30 fps for increased sharpness and detail. Other features: high speed 493-point phase-detection AF enabling AF at 120 fps and providing Starlight mode for focusing down to -8.5 EV(!), Subject Detection with Deep Learning Technology, Auto-Area AF, Eye-Detection AF, Dynamic-Area AF, and 3D Tracking, internal recording with 10-bit color and 4:2:2 sampling in a variety of codecs, a 10-bit N-Log setting, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) for creating HDR content in camera. The camera incorporates a Real-Live 3.69m-dot OLED EVF with adjustable luminance, a Four-Axis 3.2-inch, 2.1m-dot tilting touch-screen LCD, Dual CFexpress Type B memory card slots that are compatible with XQD cards, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4 and 5 GHz), and in-body Vibration Reduction (VR) with Synchro VR (with select lenses) providing up to 6 stops of compensation to minimize the effects of camera shake. It’s all built into a rugged, weather resistant body with a magnesium alloy chassis that’s 20% smaller than the flagship Nikon D6 SLR. Street price: $5,496.95, body only.
Selected stats on the Mirrorless Marketplace
According to a Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence bulletin, the global mirrorless market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.67% over the forecast period, reaching a market size of $2.54 billion in 2026, up from an actual level of $1.97 billion in 2019, due to a rise in disposable income, changing consumer lifestyles, increasing urbanization, etc. It's also significant that Canon, Nikon, and Sony (among others) have invested considerable capital to enhance their mirrorless portfolios, one notable example being Canon’s EOS R3 introduced to compete directly with Nikon’s impressive high-end, pro-aimed Z9.
According to CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) data mirrorless cameras are now the “beating financial heart” of the imaging industry, accounting for 38% of the units shipped but 67% of their value. And based on the latest figures Canon has nearly half the camera market share (46.5%), or nearly double the share of Sony (26.1%), with Nikon at a distant third place (11.7%). Note: This report does not make any distinction between mirrorless cameras and other types, such as DSLRs. Nevertheless, Canon’s mirrorless market share is still higher than Sony’s at 1.54 million units compared to 1.25 million units, but Sony is ahead in terms of the value of mirrorless cameras sold at 565 billion yen vs. Canon’s 506.7 billion yen. This difference is attributable to the fact that Sony concentrates on higher-end mirrorless models aimed at pros whereas Canon’s mirrorless cameras serve a more diversified, broad-spectrum demographic that includes pros, enthusiasts, and casual shooters. In short, Canon excels when it comes to selling more affordable mirrorless cameras. In terms of market share the current breakdown hasn’t changed much compared to previous years, with Canon increasing its lead by 0.7%, Sony falling by only 0.9%, and Nikon rising by 0.4%. One bright spot for Sony: CIPA stats for 2022 show Sony edging out Canon in mirrorless camera sales in Japan, at 32% and 28% of the market respectively.
The bottom line
Perhaps the best summation of Canon’s success in the mirrorless came in an interview we conducted with the astute manager of a large midwestern photo specialty dealer that wishes to remain anonymous.
“Canon has a mirrorless camera for everybody, and they cover the price points better than anyone. In general Canon mirrorless cameras have superior ergonomics and more intuitive controls than Sony’s which are technological marvels but not as handy or convenient, and even Nikon’s, which perform extremely well and feel great in the hand but use too many buttons to access various features. Canon got serious with the Canon EOS R in 2018, and steadily improved it in terms of features, specs, and a more intuitive user interface, and that’s why they’re in the lead at the present time. But make no mistake, this is a fiercely competitive sector of the market and great companies such Nikon and Sony are not about to sit idly by and let Canon eat their lunch. As someone once said. ‘Competition is the right arm of America’ and mirrorless camera fans are going to have some phenomenal new options going forward.”
Last edited:
