Canon: CSCs are a 'great idea'

Nikon J1
Nikon J1: a CSC that's bringing more people into photography?

Canon has said that it thinks compact system cameras are a good thing, even though it is currently not producing any of its own mirrorless models.

UPDATED: Check out our in-depth Canon G1 X review

David Parry from Canon UK told TechRadar, "I think they [CSCs] are a great idea."

Canon is one of the only camera manufacturers without a mirrorless camera on the market, with its biggest rival Nikon launching its attempt back in September 2011 with the Nikon V1 and J1.

Compact system cameras first appeared in 2008 with the Micro Four Thirds format introduced by Panasonic and Olympus. Currently, there are CSCs available from Nikon, Pentax, Fujifilm, Samsung, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic.

Despite all the rivals, Parry still thinks they are a good thing for the overall market, "What I like about them so much is that it's brought more people into photography and the more people shooting, the better, as far an imaging company is concerned - that's what we're all about."

Parry believes that CSC users will eventually be on the look out for something more, and it is this market the company is keen to tap into. "They may not be buying our products at the moment, but if they reach the limits of what a compact system camera can do, maybe they'll look at other products that are out there."

Loyalty

With some CSC manufacturers also producing DSLRs, notably Sony and Nikon, surely it's inevitable that those trading up will show brand loyalty? "They might well do, but you have to remember we've got cameras like the 7D and the 5D Mark II in our range. Those are very strong cameras that are renowned for their image quality,"

Parry also thinks that the company's new premium compact camera, the G1 X, released in January, could be a potential rival for CSCs. "It's a similar kind of price to compact system cameras with a similar size sensor inside them, and once they've purchased that they might look at our DSLRs."

Speaking of DSLRs, Parry told us that this area is still seeing growth. "Obviously, people were expecting to see CSCs having an effect on DSLR sales, but actually they're still growing," he said. "This is the benefit of people bringing new cameras, like compact system cameras, into the market. OK, we're not playing in it, but people are being brought in and taking an interest in the market."

"When they see ranges like ours, with the amount of lenses you can buy and the accessories and training that's available, people see that as a real bonus."

Rumours will surely continue to circulate about if and when Canon will enter the market, and we'll of course keep you updated should any new cameras finally be revealed.

TOPICS
Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar. 

Latest in Compact Cameras
Canon PowerShot V1 compact vlogging camera on a white desk, lens folded away
I tested the Canon PowerShot V1, and the beginner vlogging camera feels like the complete package but for this one thing
Holding the Fujifilm GFX100 RF medium-format compact camera
Fujifilm GFX100RF preorders are live: where to buy Fuji's latest medium format compact camera
Canon March 2025 launch teaser
Canon teases two big vlogging camera launches for next week – and one looks to be the PowerShot V1
Holding the Fujifilm GFX100 RF medium-format compact camera
I tried Fujifilm’s new medium-format GFX100RF, and it could just be the most desirable compact camera ever
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Fujfilm GFX 50R
First Fujifilm GFX100RF images leaked in build-up to expected reveal – here’s what they tell us about the unique premium compact camera
Latest in News
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Rennovations
Disney’s giving a classic Buzz Lightyear ride a tech overhaul – here's everything you need to know
Hisense U8 series TV on wall in living room
Hisense announces 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, with screen sizes up to 100 inches – and a surprising smart TV switch
Nintendo Music teaser art
Nintendo Music expands its library with songs from Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Tetris
Opera AI Tabs
Opera's new AI feature brings order to your browser tab chaos
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead