Canon Files New Patents for Wide-Angle Prime and Zoom Lenses
Canon is one of the few companies that are working to develop new optics for users. The company filed patents for fish-eye lenses, optics that use polarizing elements, and one made of plastic. Adding to this list are new patents for full-frame and smaller sensors, such as 1-inch sensors and APS-C cameras. This is good news considering that Canon’s RF models have fewer APS-C lenses, while their compact cameras are pretty new in the industry too. Here is what you can expect from them.Canon Inner Zoom LensesCanon’s patent for 20-40mmIn a report by Asobinet, Canon filed patent JP2025-68535 on April 28, which showcases designed for full frame lenses such as 20-40mm f2.8 and 20-50mm f4, including APS-C lenses like 12-35mm f2.5-3.5.Canon’s patent for 15-28mm f4.From the patent, one can gather that these designs are for creating compact, internal zoom lenses for users. The company has several optical designs, all zooms, and for both full frame and APS-C cameras. They just may have a power zoom built-in drive system, much like the RF-S14-30mm f4-6.3 IS STM PZ, which was designed for R50 V. However, there is a chance it is not for video use, but for photographers. In addition, there are some lenses with a fixed aperture, f2.8 and f4. This is suitable for full frames, but for APS-C, a smaller aperture could lead to issues for low light. It is also entirely possible that these lenses never see the light of day, but if they do, we may see some different lenses, which would be helpful to street photographers. However, they should be smaller in size, since compactness, weather sealing, weight, and price are some factors that impact sales. So, let’s see how this plays out. Lenses for 1-inch SensorsCanon 9.5mm f2.8 patentIn another report by Asobinet, Canon filed patent P2025070387 on May 2, which is said to be for compact cameras. The focal ranges appear to be 9.5mm f2.8 and 11.7mm f2.8, both of which are wide-angle and could be used for cameras like Powershot V1. In addition to being small and lightweight, the lenses can accept ND filters and “a shutter is disposed in appropriate positions.”Canon 8.5mm f2.8 patent designCurrently, the Powershot V1 features an 8.2-25.6mm f2.8-4.5 zoom lens, but the difference is that the size of the lens is naturally larger. Furthermore, these lenses are designed to use the whole width of the sensor for electronic image stabilization. The takeaway, at the moment, is that Canon is working on smaller lenses, but these could be primarily for hybrid purposes rather than just photography. Why? Because the company has been targeting content creators. Just look at the last few launches, and you see a pattern. This would not be an issue had the company shown the same interest in photographers, especially the mid-tier segment. Not everyone can afford a high-end full frame camera, and the APS-C cameras are just as expensive. The option, thus, is to look at older cameras. If that is the case, what is the point of new launches? Think about it.
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