We’re getting reports that it’s possible Canon is going to introduce a couple of new cameras specifically targeting kids and young people with smartphones.
Canon is already one of the leading companies in the professional camera industry, but it appears they’re trying to expand their reach. The new direction isn’t meant to woo video professionals, like Canon’s break into the full frame mirrorless category. Instead, it looks like Canon wants to develop cameras for younger people.
According to a Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun and Photo Rumors article, Canon could be revealing three new cameras as early as this year. We don’t know much about the cameras, but there are pictures of the camera’s prototypes. Now, these may not look as advanced as the EOS R, but these cameras aren’t trying to be the next EOS R.
Let’s take a look at the prototypes
Below are the three camera prototypes from the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun article. Let’s look at them:
The first one up seems to be a screenless camera. The article refers to it as an “outdoor activity camera” that can connect to smartphones. Users can then view the photos they take with their phones.
Nikkan.
Next, we have this small camera. This tiny cam is said to allow you to change its focal length between 100 mm and 400 mm.
Nikkan.
Last, but not least, we have a stand-type camera that uses voice recognition and an automatic tracking function.
The article also mentions a bonus camera for children, but there are no pictures for that one, so it’s likely still early in development.
Why make cameras for kids?
The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun article claims older people are the ones that tend to buy digital cameras. Meanwhile, younger people tend to shoot with their smartphones. That is where the industry is shifting, some predicting that there the slowdown in the professional camera market is due in part to smartphones. It seems Canon is looking to expand its reach and solidify its place with the future generation — one that, in general, prefers to shoot video with their smartphones.
Image courtesy Nikkan
