How Often Does Canon Release New Cameras and What Determines the Frequency?

Introduction to Canon Camera Releases

Canon, a prominent name in the photography industry, releases new cameras on a regular basis. The frequency of these releases can vary depending on market trends, technological advancements, and specific product lines. While the company typically introduces new models in their popular DSLR and mirrorless lines annually or biannually, the exact timing of these releases can be influenced by a variety of factors.

Major product announcements often occur at major trade shows such as CES and Photokina. In recent years, Canon has shifted more focus to its mirrorless camera systems, leading to a more frequent introduction of new models in that category. You can expect several new camera announcements from Canon each year.

Timeline of New Canon Camera Announcements

For those interested in Canon's compact camera releases, the number of new models has varied over the years. Here is a summary of compact camera releases from 1996 to 2018:

1996-2018: Several cameras released, with peaks in 2004 and 2012 2018: No new models released

The timeline of new Canon cameras is as follows, with a focus on key models:

Date New Model Additional Info 2000 D30 Entry-level DSLR 2001 1D Professional DSLR 2002 1Ds, 1D, D60 Digital SLR (DSLR) series and entry-level model 2003 10D, 300D DSLR models 2004 1Ds MkII, 1D MkII, 20D DSLR improvements and feature upgrades 2005 1D MkII, N, 5D, 20Da, 350D Professional and entry-level releases 2006 30D, 400D DSLR and entry-level releases 2007 1Ds MkIII, 1D MkIII, 40D Additions to the DSLR lineup 2008 5D MkII, 50D, 450D, 1000D Professional and advanced features 2009 1D MkIV, 7D, 500D/550D Mid to upper-range releases 2010 60D DSLR addition 2011 600D, 1100D DSLR line expansion 2012 1DX, 5D MkIII, 6D, 60Da, 650D M High-end and new models 2013 1D C, 70D, 700D, 100D M2 Professional and compact releases 2014 7D MkII, 1200D DSLR and entry-level models 2015 5DS/5DS R, 760D, 750D M3 M10 New compact and DSLR models 2016 1D X MkII, 5D MkIV, 80D, 1300D, M5 Advanced and wide-range releases 2017 6D MkII, 77D, 800D, 200D, M6, M100 Continuous expansion of camera lineup 2018 2000D, 4000D, R, M50 New releases in various series 2019 250D, RP Recent additions to the camera lineup

Factors Influencing Canon's Camera Release Schedule

When released, Canon consumer-grade cameras follow a 12-month upgrade cycle. In contrast, higher-end cameras such as the 5D or 7D can last up to 5 years before a new version is released. The release schedule for Canon cameras depends on the class or price range of the camera:

Compact Digital Cameras: New models are introduced every year, even twice a year. DSLRs: Low-end models are refreshed every 1.5 years, while pro models are refreshed every 3 to 4 years.

The Wikipedia page on Canon EOS digital cameras provides more detailed information on the various models and their release schedules.