Canon today announced a new mid-range compact interchangeable-lens camera, the Canon EOS M100, as well as a new high-performance 85mm f/1.4L IS USM pro portrait lens—Canon’s first with Image Stabilization—for full-frame Canon DSLRs, plus three new tilt-shift macro lenses, and a new macro flash.
Late August has been traditionally a time of key new product announcements for Canon. This year’s mix is notable for its lack of point-and-shoot cameras—a reflection of changing needs driven by new technology—and for Canon’s focus on interchangeable-lens photography and the introduction of several niche items. The company seems to have tilted towards more serious amateurs and is paying closer attention to the needs of its base of professional photographers, while shifting away somewhat from the amateur market.
Canon EOS M100
First up is the next generation of Canon’s mid-range, snapshooter-friendly mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the Canon EOS M100, which offers some key upgrades over its predecessor, the EOS M10. Designed with simplicity in mind it offers DSLR-quality images and intuitive operation in a small and light package.
Key Features:
- 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO range 100-25,600
- 3-inch flip-out touchscreen LCD monitor
- Full HD video at 60p
- Up to 4fps burst rate; 6fps with AF lock
- Creative assist modes
- Self-portrait mode
The M100 offers incremental upgrades over the M10. The M100’s resolution has increased from 18MP (M10) to 24MP, focus has changed from hybrid to Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase Detection, and the native top ISO has increased from 12,800 to 25,600. Like its predecessor, it has a built-in pop-up flash, a touchscreen LCD monitor that flips up over the top of the camera, making it well-suited for selfies, and built-in Wi-Fi. It also offers Creative Assist modes including brightness, contrast, saturation, color-tone and monochrome options.
The Canon EOS M100 is compatible with Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth and the Canon Camera Connect app, which allows users to operate the camera remotely and transfer images from the camera to the mobile device. The camera is compatible with EF-M mount lenses and with EF and EF-S lenses via a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M adapter.
The Canon EOS M100 is available from Adorama in four different kit configurations: Canon EOS M100 with 15-45mm EF-M Lens, in Black or White, for $599, as well as in a kit with both the 15-45mm and 55-200mm EF-M, also in Black or White, for $949.
Now, on to the pro gear.
Canon UDS EF85mm f/1.4L Lens
The big news about the Canon 85mm L-series lens is not just its whopping f/1.4 maximum aperture, but the fact that it is the first Canon 85mm L-series lens to feature Image Stabilization. Canon claims up to 4 stops of shake correction; combined with its large f/1.4 aperture, this lens promises to be a low-light portrait photography beast. Stopped down, the lens promises pleasing Boke thanks to its 9-blade circular aperture. It is dust- and water-resistant, with GMO aspherical lens elements and Air Sphere coating technology, and it focuses as close as 33.5 inches.
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens will be available from Adorama for . This lens is destined to be an instant hit for portrait and wedding photographers.
3 New Canon Macro Tilt Shift Lenses
Canon expanded its line of tilt-shift and macro lenses all at the same time by unveiling three high-performance, longer tilt-shift lenses with macro focusing, a mash-up marvel of technology and engineering. The lenses are 50, 90 and 135mm; each offers 0.5 percent magnification.
The Canon TS-E50mm f/2.8L Macro lens has an f/2.8 wide aperture, large tilt and shift knobs, a tilt range of + or – 85 degrees, a shift range of + or – 12mm, and a minimum focusnig distance of 10 inches for a maximum magnification of 0.5x. It has a tilt locking mechanism for use when shooting. It is constructed of two UD lens elements to reduce chromatic aberration, and features optimized lens coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
The Canon TS-E50mm f/2.8L Macro lens will be available from Adorama for .
Next up is the portrait-length Canon TS-E90mm f/2.8L Macro lens. It also has an f/2.8 wide aperture, large tilt and shift knobs, a tilt range of + or – 10 degrees, a shift range of + or – 12mm, and a minimum focusing distance of 16 inches for a maximum magnification of 0.5x. That’s considerably better magnification than the existing non-Macro Canon Tilt-Shift 90mm lens. It has a tilt locking mechanism for use when shooting. It is constructed of two UD lens elements to reduce chromatic aberration, and features optimized lens coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
The Canon TS-E90mm f/2.8L Macro lens will be available from Adorama for .
Finally, Canon unveiled the TS-E135mm f/4L Macro lens. In addition to an f/4 wide aperture for reduced size and weight, it offers large tilt and shift knobs, a tilt range of + or – 10 degrees, a shift range of + or – 12mm, and a minimum focusing distance of 19 inches for a maximum magnification of 0.5x. It has a tilt locking mechanism for use when shooting. It is constructed of two UD lens elements to reduce chromatic aberration, and features optimized lens coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
The Canon TS-E135mm f/4L Macro lens will be available from Adorama for .
Macro Twin Lite MT-26 EX-RT Flash
To go with its new line of tilt/shift macro and other macro lenses, Canon also announced the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT. Consisting of two macro flash lights with a 60-degree rotation and a guide number of 85.3 ft at ISO 100, the flashes have radio wireless flash functionality, expanded manual setting ranges up to 1/512 power. The main unit features a dot-matrix LCD panel and boasts outstanding usability, and a focus assist lamp helps out in low light. The unit is said to recycle in 5 seconds.
The flash comes with removable diffusers, and is compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S macro lenses, although it may need an extension adaptor when using longer macro lenses. The Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT will be available from Adorama for .
