Canon and Sony News and What's New (Excluding Deals) (Page 2)

Image quality test results are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.

These results are great.

Compared to the Canon RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens

Compared to the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens

Please share!

Support this site by ordering the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Amazon (all available countries) | Camera Canada

Rent the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens from Lensrentals.

It seems a wise idea for those of us in the USA to buy any gear on our want list now, because price increases on imported gear are coming soon.

As shared with the First Quarter 2025 Financial Results, Canon indicated that they would "Respond to cost increase from additional tariffs by raising prices"

Today, Sigma America's President, Mark Amir-Hamzeh, shared a similar message:

Dear customer,

Thank you for your continued support and trust in Sigma. We are writing to inform you of an upcoming pricing adjustment to our products, effective June 2, 2025.

Due to the recent implementation of government-imposed tariffs, our costs have increased substantially. We have made every effort to absorb these added expenses, but the sustained impact of the tariffs now necessitates a price increase to ensure we can continue delivering the quality and service you expect.

Key details:

• Current pricing will remain in effect for all orders placed through June 1st, 2025, subject to product availability.
• New pricing will take effect on June 2, 2025, and will apply to all new orders and any unfulfilled items.

We understand this is difficult news to hear, and please know this decision was not made lightly. We have always prided ourselves on delivering unmatched value to our customers, and we are doing everything we can to continue to do that while providing the same service and product excellence.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued partnership.
 

As always, I am grateful for your support, especially via purchases made using the sites links, including at B&H.

Just posted: Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens Review

As I said before, this lens is all about convenience.

Please share!

Support this site by ordering the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX | Camera Canada

Rent the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens from Lensrentals.

The entry-level Canon RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 Lens was announced in Europe and Japan, with the USA announcement TBD.

Learn more: Canon RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 Lens

From Canon UK:

Bring life even closer with the new RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens

London, UK, 29 April 2025 – Today, Canon announces the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6, a lightweight, easy-to-use telephoto zoom lens that’s ideal for users starting out in nature and sports photography with an EOS R System camera.

With its amazing reach and flexible zoom range, the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 provides creative freedom when shooting photos and video of subjects you can’t physically get close to. Users can keep their distance to avoid disturbing wild animals and birds or zoom right into the action when photographing a sports event from the sidelines. The streamlined design lets users react quickly, with a large zoom ring requiring little more than a quarter of a turn to run through the entire zoom range.

At 300mm it’s possible to get as close as 1.5m to fill the frame with detail, making this lens a practical solution for portraits of animals and people. The long zoom and wide, seven-blade aperture ensure superb separation between a sharp subject and blurred background for a refined look.

This classic entry-level, full-frame 75-300mm lens can be used on any camera equipped with Canon’s advanced RF mount. Paired with an APS-C body such as the EOS R100, it delivers a more powerful 120-480mm effective reach to bring distant subjects even closer. Despite its extensive telephoto coverage, the lens weighs just 507g and is a compact 146.1mm in length when retracted. It’s one of the lightest lenses in its class and ready to go anywhere, from local sport matches to remote nature reserves.

The versatile range of focal lengths, affordable pricing and outstanding portability of the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 ensure that everyone is able to extend their reach and take their passion further.

Key features of the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6:

• Flexible 75-300mm focal length range for full-frame EOS R System cameras, extending to 120-480mm equivalent view on APS-C models
• 1.5 metre minimum focusing distance at 300mm for frame-filling detail
• Compact and lightweight design: Measures just 146.1mm in length when stored and weighs approximately 507g
• 7-blade circular aperture for beautiful background blur
• Super Spectra coating to reduce ghosting and flare

Support the site by ordering this lens from WEX.

Get your Zeiss ML Lens at B&H.

The RF mount version is expected to be available on Jun 2nd.

The Canon EOS R50 V is in stock at: B&H | Amazon (via Canon-authorized Berger Bros) | Adorama | Canon USA

Rent the R50 V from Lensrentals.

The Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens is in stock at Amazon (via Canon-authorized Dodd Photo) and Canon USA

Learn more: Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens

Just posted: Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens Review.

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Support this site by ordering the Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Rent the Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens from Lensrentals.

Canon has added first quarter financial results to the Investor Relations page.

Presentation Material
Results
Supplementary Data
Presentation Material and Speech Summary
Q&A Session Summary
Canon Integrated Report 2025

Quotes and Info From the Presentation Material.

"Respond to cost increase from additional tariffs by raising prices", and "Decreased unit sales as a result of price increase and customers less willing to invest due to growing uncertainty."

With tariffs factored in, Imaging projects a 7.9% net sales increase and 6.1% operating profit increase for 2025.

Q1 camera net sales growth was 15.5%, and Digital Interchangeable Lens Cameras (DILCs) unit growth was 6%, a rate expected to extend for the balance of the year.

Buy your Canon cameras, lens, and accessories at B&H.

Preorders for the new Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM Lens just opened. I expect the demand for this lens to be considerably higher than the initial supply.

Support this site by ordering the FE 50-150mm F2 GM from B&H | Sony | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Preorder starts at 10:00am ET, Wed Apr 23. Support this site by ordering the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM Lens from B&H | Sony | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

From Sony Electronics:

Sony Electronics Launches FE 50-150MM F2 GM

The World’s Firstⁱ Telephoto Zoom Lens with a Maximum Focal Length of 150 mm and Constant F2 Aperture Designed for Wedding, Portrait, Indoor Sports, Photo, and Video Professionals

April 22, 2025

SAN DIEGO, April 22, 2025 - Sony Electronics Inc. introduces the FE 50-150mm F2 GM (SEL50150GM), the world’s firstⁱ telephoto zoom lens with a maximum focal length of 150 mm and F2 aperture. This lens features a standard focal length of 50mm at the wide-angle end and combines a constant aperture of F2 with high resolution comparable to that of a prime lens. This allows for a wide range of scenarios with just one lens for various situations and subjects. As part of Sony’s renowned G Master™ series, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM offers an exceptional combination of high resolution and stunning bokeh, enhancing the imaging results for professionals using the Sony Alpha camera system.

“The FE 50-150MM F2 GM G Master marks a pivotal milestone in Sony's commitment to pushing creative possibilities,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “By delivering a constant F2 aperture across its zoom range, this lens offers Sony Alpha users with an all-in-one solution that is comparable to multiple prime lenses, like a 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm. This innovation expands the versatility professionals need to capture remarkable imagery in both photography and video.”

Exceptional Image Quality and Smooth F2 Bokeh

The G Master's internal optical design plays a crucial role in producing its exceptional image quality. By integrating two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, two Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, and three ED elements, the lens effectively suppresses aberrations, ensuring sharp, high-contrast imagery across the entire zoom range. Additionally, the floating focusing system enables a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m at the wide end and a maximum magnification of 0.20 for detailed shooting.

The FE 50-150MM F2 GM's constant F2 aperture creates beautifully smooth bokeh, making it an ideal choice for portrait, wedding, and event photographers aiming to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field. A newly developed 11-blade circular aperture further enhances the signature G Master bokeh. When shooting videos, the lens delivers stunning cinematic results and exceptional clarity.

In addition, Sony's proprietary "Nano AR Coating II," applied uniformly across the entire lens surface, significantly reduces ghosting and flare even in backlit conditions, delivering clear and crisp imagery.

Internal Zoom and Compact Design

Measuring at approximately 7-7/8 inches (200 mm) in length and weighing approximately 47.3 ounces (1,340g)ⁱⁱ, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM offers remarkable portability considering its impressive combination of wide zoom range and bright aperture. This lens is ideal for both handheld and gimbal use with its featured internal zoom design that maintains the lens’s length and weight balance despite focal length changes. With its practical design, this lens serves as a versatile, all-in-one solution for those seeking a standard 50mm through 150mm telephoto range.

Fast and Precise Autofocus Performance

Equipped with four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors and Sony’s advanced control algorithms, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM delivers fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus (AF). This high-performance AF system is compatible with Sony's Alpha 9 III, supporting continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second with full AF/AE trackingⁱⁱⁱ. With a fast AF system and a versatile 50-150 mm zoom range, the lens excels at capturing fast-paced indoor sports, portraits, and events.

Cinematic Video Production

Designed with filmmakers in mind, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM minimizes focus breathing and is compatible with Sony's Breathing Compensation^iv feature on select Alpha cameras. Linear Response MF ensures intuitive manual focus control, while the lens’s internal zoom design maintains stability even while zooming mounted on gimbals. Additionally, the XD linear motors operate quietly to prevent unwanted noise from being captured during recording.

Built for durability, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM features a robust dust- and moisture-resistant design^v. A fluorine coating on the front element repels contaminants, making it easy to clean and ensuring the lens remains in top condition even in challenging environments.

Pricing and Availability

The FE 50-150MM F2 GM will be available in May 2025 for approximately $3,899 USD and $5,499 CAD. It will be sold directly through Sony and at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Notes

ⁱ As of the April 2025 product announcement according to research by a Sony survey of lenses for interchangeable lens cameras.

ⁱⁱ Excluding tripod mount.

ⁱⁱⁱ Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous shooting speed may be lower in some conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary in the AF-C focus mode.

^iv See camera compatibility info at: https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/

Angle of view and image quality may change slightly when this function is [ON]. Effective compensation may not be achieved in all situations.

^v Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.

From Tamron:

TAMRON Announces Development of All-In-One Zoom Lens For Nikon Z Mount and CANON RF Mount

18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061)

One Lens That Covers Wide-Angle To Ultra-Telephoto-and Everything In Between!

April 22, 2025, Commack, NY – Tamron announces the development of all-in-one zoom lens, 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A¹ VC VXD (Model B061), for Nikon Z mount and CANON RF mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. Release date and pricing will be announced at a later date.

The 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) is an all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It was the world's first² lens to achieve a zoom ratio of 16.6x when it was released in 2021 for Sony E mount and FUJIFILM X mount. And now, it is being released for Nikon Z and CANON RF mounts.

¹ Di III-A: For APS-C format mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras

² Among interchangeable zoom lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras (As of July 2021: TAMRON)

The 16.6X zoom range lets you enjoy taking photos from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto without having to change lenses. With its 18mm wide to 300mm ultra-telephoto reach (450mm plus full-frame equivalent on crop sensor cameras)³, it’s ideal for a wide range of scenes, including landscapes, snapshots, portraits, animals, and sports. What's more, thanks to its compact design, you can easily take it with you on vacation, backpacking, and hikes. The MOD (Minimum Object Distance) is 5.9" (0.15m) at its wide-angle end, and the maximum magnification ratio is 1:2, making it possible to capture impressive images that bring out the power and detail of the subject. In addition, it is equipped with the high-speed, high-precision linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) and TAMRON's original VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism, supporting comfortable and stable shooting. This all-in-one zoom lens makes photography more fun because you can use it in an unlimited number of situations. It’s so versatile, it will inspire you to push your creativity further and further.

Product Features

1. Landscape, snapshots, portraits, animals, birds – an all-in-one zoom lens for all kinds of photography
2. Best-in-class autofocus, VXD that's fast and precise, great for bird and animal photography
3. Maximum magnification ratio is 1:2, amazing for an all-in-one zoom lens
4. Uncompromising optical performance throughout the entire zoom range
5. TAMRON's proprietary VC supports telephoto and low-light shooting
6. AF/MF switch and VC ON/OFF switch for Canon RF mount

Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.

This product is developed, manufactured, and sold under the license agreement with Nikon Corporation.

This product is developed, manufactured, and sold under license from Canon Inc.

³ Full-frame equivalent of 27-450mm for Nikon Z mount, and 28.8-480mm for CANON RF mount

Sony Alpha 7C R firmware update version 2.00 is available for download.

Sony Alpha 7C II firmware update version 2.00 is available for download.

Firmware Version 2.00 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

Shooting & Playback functions:

• Allows you to set Recognition Target to Auto, enabling the camera to automatically select subjects such as humans and animals
• Introduces support for the Framing Stabilizer feature, which automatically adjusts the composition to keep the tracked subject in the same frame position during movie recording mode
• Adds Dynamic Active mode to SteadyShot for movie recording
• Allows you to add OK/NG/KEEP flags to clips during or after movie recording
• Adds a function that automatically creates still images with Shot Marks from movie frames after recordings
• You can add a Shot Mark while shooting or playing a movie and use it as a mark for selecting, transferring, or editing the movie.
• Improves image quality when applying user LUTs
• Allows the use of Focus Magnifier and Auto Magnifier in MF while using the Bright Monitoring feature
• Adds a function that allows you to narrow down played-back images using multiple filters (e.g. Rating)
• Adds the Golden Ratio Grid option to the Grid Line Type setting menu
• Adds support for the Custom Grid Line feature
  The Custom Grid Line feature is available as a paid license. Availability depends on country and region.
• Increases the maximum number of images that can be recorded in one folder to 9,999
• Adds support for importing/switching multiple IPTC Presets

FTP Transfer & Network functions:

• Allows scheduling of FTP transfers while writing data to the camera's storage media
• You can now automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected movies and still images
• Movies/still images transferred via FTP transfer can now be automatically protected
• You can now continue shooting while transferring captured photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. This service may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Transfer to smartphones and tablets can now be resumed even if interrupted in the middle of a transfer
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. This service may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• You can now transfer only the differences that have not yet been transferred to your smartphone or tablet, or add videos to be transferred during the transfer process
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. This service may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Adds support for the Network Streaming function
• Settings must be adjusted in the Creators' App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators' App support website.
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. This service may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Allows you to upload camera images directly to the Creators' Cloud
• Settings must be adjusted in the Creators' App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators' App support website.
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. This service may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Displays the Wi-Fi signal strength when the Wi-Fi function is On

Others:

• Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
• WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 or WPA3 moving forward
• Fixes an issue where the camera operation may become unstable when Pixel Mapping is performed
• Improves the operational stability of the camera

Get the Sony a7C R and a7C II at B&H.

Sony Alpha 7 III firmware update version 4.00 is available for download.

Firmware Version 4.00 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

Shooting & Playback functions:

• Supports the Write Digital Signature function for still images as part of Sony's Camera Authenticity Solution.
  Installation of a paid license is required for use.
  The timing for the provision of paid licenses to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
  Services may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Authenticity Catalog Page.
• Adds log shooting mode, which allows you to shoot while displaying the monitor image with your favorite LUT (Look-Up table)
  Please use the latest version of Catalyst Browse or Catalyst Prepare to apply the LUT used for monitoring during shooting to the video during editing.
• Allows you to add OK/NG/KEEP flags to clips during or after movie recording
• Adds a function that automatically creates still images with Shot Marks from movie frames after recordings
  You can add a Shot Mark while shooting or playing a movie and use it as a mark for selecting, transferring, or editing the movie.
• Allows the use of Focus Magnifier and Auto Magnifier in MF while using the Bright Monitoring feature
• Adds the Golden Ratio Grid option to the Grid Line Type setting menu
• Adds support for focus bracket shooting, which allows for continuous shooting while automatically shifting the focus position
• Introduces additional settings for exposure value adjustments and number of shots in the exposure bracketing
• Allows use of the Custom Key setting on the AEL button and Delete button during playback

FTP Transfer & Network functions:

• Allows scheduling of FTP transfers while writing data to the camera's storage media
• You can now continue shooting while transferring captured photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. The Creators' App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Transfer to smartphones and tablets can now be resumed even if interrupted in the middle of a transfer
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. The Creators' App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• You can now transfer only the differences that have not yet been transferred to your smartphone or tablet, or add videos to be transferred during the transfer process
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. The Creators' App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Adds support for the Network Streaming function
  Settings must be adjusted in the Creators' App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators' App support website.
  Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators' App is necessary. The Creators' App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators' Cloud support website.
• Supports the following Monitor & Control app functions
  Ver. 2.3.0 or later of the Monitor & Control app is necessary.
  The Monitor & Control app may not be available in some countries or regions.
  Clip review during camera playback mode
  Focus map display
  IRIS operation bar display

Others:

• Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
• The Security (IPsec) functionality is no longer supported. Please enable and use Access Authen. as it provides more secure protection
• WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 or WPA3 moving forward
• Fixes an issue where the Detail feature does not work when the Picture Profile is set to S-Cinetone
• Improves the operational stability of the camera

Get the Sony Alpha 7 III at B&H.

Sony ZV-E10 II firmware update version 1.01 is available for download.

Firmware Version 1.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
2. WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 moving forward
3. Fixes an issue where the color mode may be incorrectly displayed in the following Picture Profiles: HLG, HLG1, HLG2, and HLG3
4. Improves the operational stability of the camera

Get the Sony ZV-E10 II at B&H.

Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens firmware update version 1.0.9 is available for download (Canon AU).

Firmware Version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Improves image stabilization during video recording while walking.

Get the Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens at B&H.

Sony Alpha 7R IV firmware update version 1.11 is available for download.

Sony Alpha a7C firmware update version 2.01 is available for download.

Sony Alpha a7 III firmware update version 4.02 is available for download.

Sony ZV-E10 firmware update version 2.02 is available for download.

These firmware updates incorporate the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Allows the camera to display a notification when new software is available
2. WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 moving forward
3. Improves the operational stability of the camera

Sony Alpha 1 II firmware update version 2.01 is available for download.

Firmware Version 2.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Fixes an issue where setting Recording Media to Sort Recording may cause a restart during still image capture
2. Fixes an issue where the effectiveness of the Soft Skin Effect when recording movies in S-Log3 was not properly adjusted

Get the Sony Alpha 1 II at B&H.

Sony Alpha 1 firmware update version 3.01 is available for download.

Firmware Version 3.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Fixes an issue where setting Recording Media to Sort Recording may cause a restart during still image capture
2. Fixes an issue where the button registered with Recall Custom Hold may not be accepted

Get the Sony Alpha 1 at B&H.