Canon has presented all the specifications and technology behind its latest flagship camera, the Canon EOS R1. Kamera & Bild was present at the press conference in Munich and tested the Canon EOS R1 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II for a day.
At the same time, we also had the opportunity to interview Mark Fensome, Senior Product Specialist at Canon Europe, and John Maurice, Product Marketing Manager, about the new cameras and the technology behind the shell.
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Mark Fensome, Senior Product Specialist, Canon Europe and John Maurice, Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.Photo: Calle Rosenqvist
Although we have now held the cameras in our hands and tested photographing and filming with them, Canon has still not revealed all the specifications about the Canon EOS R1. Therefore, we took the opportunity to ask Mark and John about a detail on the EOS R1 that is completely missing in the specifications: namely the "thing" that looks like a camera that can be seen on the lower left side on the back of the camera body.
"The Thing".Photo: Calle Rosenqvist
The discussions online have been heated: is it a light meter? A camera? An IR detector?
When we start talking about the thing, we get the answer that it is a small camera. However, the purpose of the camera is unclear according to Mark and John, who say "we do not know what it will be used for".
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The answer should probably not be interpreted as them not knowing the purpose, but rather that Canon is considering some applications that the camera can actually be used for, which makes it unclear what functions the device will actually have.
Mark and John mention that Canon is always trying to stay at the forefront of how to use new technology, and that there are many opportunities to use a camera that sits as it does in the place it has and is designed as it is. The only thing we get confirmed is that it is "a camera", and that Canon has plans for it.
When I myself mention some possible ideas during the meeting, I touch on some possibilities for what it could be used for:
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Light measurement to read the ambient light and perhaps adjust a setting, such as button lighting
The possibility to read a QR code to configure the camera in one way or another, or to load settings, perhaps about who is the photographer and what settings should be used - something that would suit an editorial office
Unlocking or logging in of users
Unlocking with biometrics as an anti-theft lock
The interesting part comes when the product specialist Mark Fensome notes down my last suggestion on a paper, perhaps to report the suggestion further to the headquarters. But exactly what the camera is intended for, we will have to wait to find out.
