Canon; I love you, but please do better

Canon have released a lot of cameras lately, but why are they so underwhelming?

When learning about Photography it was with a Canon 500D. At the time, the body was around three years old — but I knew no better. It was my marker for quality. Soon after I was purchased the Canon 550D (although the 600D was released a year before and the 650D was brand new).

Now, when first venturing into Photography I don’t think it matters much which brand you go for so long as you find the camera comfortable to use and it fulfils your needs. As far as I’m aware, the main manufacturers all have (/have had) their resource for teaching. Canon have Canon Photo Companion — compatible with a large range of cameras — and the Canon Lens Guru; Nikon have Learn & Explore for iPhone and their Lens App too; Sony had the Sony α Portal; Panasonic have a few, too.

My journey wasn’t solely with Canon, and I got to using an awful lot of other cameras — from these four main manufacturers — over time. I was always quite impressed by Panasonic and Sony, however I could never really get on with Nikon DSLRs. I think this is just because I was used to Canon.

My frustration

Looking over Canon’s releases over the past 10 years or so, they have done next to nothing to progress camera technology. It’s so upsetting because I love the cameras but they simply are not up to scratch compared to other manufacturers — notably Sony and Panasonic.

The EOS M range is quite impressive but has barely progressed. In 5 years we have had 6 of them — in order of release: M, M2, M3, M10, M5, M6 — but they have not changed drastically. From the M (Q3 2012) to the brand new M6 (Q2 2017) we’ve had a few improvements, though minor: DIGIC 5 to DIGIC 7 image processor, which is in line with the progress on all of the Canon cameras; 18MP to 24.2MP, though the sensor size remains the same; 31AF-Points to 49-AF Points; 4.3fps to 9fps for stills and 30fps to 60fps for 1080p. Yes, still only Full HD. It’s worth noting that the M6 is equivalent to the M5 aside from the lack of a viewfinder.

The DSLR range is brand new world of frustration. The entry level cameras — typically XXXXD (ie. 1300D) — are not horrendous but Canon could do more with them. The 1300D is due a replacement, so I’m waiting to see what is changed. The enthusiast cameras — typically XXXD (ie. 800D) — have changed drastically, but in fairness the 300D is old (Q3 2003). The progress made with these bodies is minimal. Mainly changes to image processing, auto-focussing, and frame rate. The brand new 800D is barely an improvement on the previous 760D, and annoyingly removes the LCD display on top.

Like the enthusiast cameras, the semi-professional cameras — typically XXD (ie. 80D) — have undergone drastic change because of how long they have been around. Some of these simply built on the foundations of the analog predecessors, though. The brand new 77D is actually a lesser version of the 80D aside from the image processor.

The professional level cameras — 6D, 5D and so on — are very dreamy, let’s be honest. But the prices are painful. Reserving the 4K Video Technology for the cameras that are four figures, many times over, is ridiculous.

Saving graces

• Canon is not totally horrible. I must admit. The Lens family is incredibly — though I am hurt by the price tags.
• The Canon Companion Apps are incredible to use and are excellent for introducing people to Photography.
• The cameras are a dream to use and give incredibly satisfying results.

Final thoughts

Canon’s age-mates are wiping the floor with them.

Panasonic’s compact TZ-range out-performs many of Canon’s lower level cameras, but a massive amount, while still being cheaper than most of the Canon equivalents. The GX-range is truly phenomenal and the cameras are an awful lot of fun to use — providing amazing features at the same time. Sony are doing much of the same.

The brand new α9 is out of this world. While the price tag might be way out of reach — for me at least — at least the specification better reflects the cost than nearly all of the Canon top-level cameras.

Though it is sad to see my preferred manufacturer perform so badly, I cannot help but want to jump ship. My Canon EOS 30 will remain but the rest of my kit will be sold because I cannot afford to overspend for gear that underperforms.

You can read my moany Twitter thread here on this topic. I’m happy to discuss it more, whether it’s in agreement with me or not — I’m happy to be told otherwise.

Love and Peace,

Hendrix

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