Canon teases large-sensor, long-zoom compact camera

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posted Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 4:02 PM EDT

 
 

Want more zoom range from a large-sensor, fixed-lens camera, but don't want to forgo the compact body to get it? A new video from Canon Netherlands suggests that you might just see that wish answered.

The video, which you can see below, appears on the company's website in a section labeled "Compact Cameras for experts," which features several models from the PowerShot G and S-series lineup. It's mostly a marketing exercise for the Canon G1X Mark II and recently-launched Canon G7X compacts, but in its dying seconds, the video teases the outline of a third, as-yet unannounced model.

 
 

You can see that outline twice in the space of a few seconds from slightly different angles, as shown above and below. Neither view lets the cat too far out of the bag, however, although if the profile accurately reflects that of the camera itself you can see that the lens is clearly going to dominate its profile.

 
 

It's the latter image that's the most interesting, though, because it shows the outline of the new camera alongside those of its siblings -- and both existing cameras are shown roughly to scale with each other. If the new model's outline is also shown to scale, that suggests it's only a little wider and taller than the existing G1X Mark II, and probably quite a bit smaller than the Sony RX10 or Panasonic FZ1000. Of course, it could also have a significantly shorter, less bright lens than those models -- there's no way to know at this point.

You can see the video in its entirity below:


Canon Netherlands' marketing video, which shows the outline of an upcoming large-sensor, long-zoom camera

Curious to know what's said in the video, and whether there are any other little teasers hidden within? So were we, so we translated it. The full transcript is roughly as follows:

Photos. Movies.  Catch the light as you see it with your own eyes. Remember love you felt in those moments. A camera should primarily capture emotion. There are a whole range of compact cameras that we therefore specially continue to develop.

CANON PREMIUM COMPACT

We draw knowledge and inspiration from the EF and EF Cinema lenses.

CANON PREMIUM LENSES

We use multilayer coatings with Super Spectra Coating Technology of EF lenses to reduce ghosting and flare. The 9-bladed diaphragm creates beautiful, almost completely circular blur. Only a lens that meets the strictest quality standards and transmits light as you see it yourself, may rightly be called a Canon Premium lens. Imagine yourself making pictures with

EOS: CANON  PREMIUM QUALITY

Beautiful bokeh effects or blurred backgrounds. Virtually the same gradation and exposure as EOS. Noise reduction without loss of detail. Easily capture wonderful evening skies with the Star Mode. With careful analysis the scene is broken down into tens of thousands of parts. High speed direct processing of all image data.

PowerShot G1 X Mark II
1.5-type sensor

PowerShot G7 X
1.0-type sensor

Only compact cameras with large format sensor and powerful image processing can utilize the maximum performance of a premium lens. Premium image quality that shows the world as you see it with your own eyes. The design of the camera fits your shooting style.

CANON PREMIUM DESIGN

The camera quality is recognizable at a glance. Fine graphics full of details Attention to every detail, down to the screws. You'll immediately feel you have a complete camera in hand.  Only design that fits with what you want to do and that fuels your creative instincts can truly call itself Canon Premium Design. With a genuine Canon you never have to make more choices. Take it confidently everywhere you go, wherever you go. With the excellent image quality and control that you only see in cameras with built-in lens. Your emotions are recorded exactly as you see them. A truly creative camera captures emotion permanently.

CANON PREMIUM COMPACT

Flagship
PowerShot G1 X Mark II

Compact
PowerShot G7 X

Long zoom
Later model

PREMIUM COMPACT

This is actually not the first hint we've had that such a camera is on the way, but it's the first time we've seen a possible outline for the new model. As pointed out by Canon Rumors, the company's Hong Kong branch recently posted the following in a press release:

New PowerShot Digital Compact Camera Under Development
Featuring large image sensor, high zoom capability and compact body

Canon is developing a new premium digital compact camera that combines the merits of both large image sensor and high-magnification optical zoom lens in response to the demands from users looking for high quality high zoom performance. Offering both convenience from a compact body and excellent super telephoto performance, this camera is perfect for everyday or travel shooting in high quality.

(via Petapixel)