No mirror and not much glass either: New patents suggest Canon looking to increase EF-M lens lineup?

 

 

Canon mirrorless owners may soon have a few more lenses to choose from. Egami Blog is reporting that Canon filed a patent for an EF-M 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens that was recently published in Japan. 

This latest patent just continues to add fuel to the fire that there will be some new EF-M lenses announced later this year. This patent joins one published in May for an EF-M 9-17mm f/3.5-5 STM lens, which would be the widest lens available for Canon's mirrorless system providing a 14-27mm equivalent focal length.

Just prior to the patent for the 9-17mm lens, there was aso one for a 15-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, which is very interesting given the recent 16-50mm patent. Given the latest patent, it seems that Canon might be leaning toward the 16-50mm lens, but it's difficult to say with certainty.

Nonetheless, the selection of available lenses is certainly something that EOS M-series owners would like to see improved as there currently is not much to choose from, despite the line launching back in 2012. One of the most notable issues with the lineup is that there aren't many fast lenses, with only the 22mm f/2 lens offering an aperture faster than f/3.5. There is also no lens with an equivalent focal length longer than 320mm, so those looking for a longer telephoto lens are still left wanting. None of the recent patents, however, hint towards solutions to those two issues for the EF-M lineup.

 

The Canon M3 needs more lenses!

So far this year Canon has released only one EF-M lens (they released only one in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as well), so if new lenses see the light of the day before the end of the year, it'll be a welcome change of pace.

On a related note, look for my Canon EOS M10 field test in the coming weeks. I quite like the idea of the M system, so I hope to see Canon up its support for its mirrorless line.

(Seen via The Digital Picture)