Canon to use SLR to tackle Micro Four Thirds

Canon's image group leader Masaya Maeda today confirmed that his company is developing a smaller pro camera to compete against mirrorless, interchangeable lens rivals. It was implied the camera would still use a DSLR approach rather than go mirrorless and would be smaller than cameras like the Rebel series to compete with the size of cameras like Olympus' PEN series or the Sony NEX line. Maeda saw the issue of size simply as a matter of design.

"It's not a question of whether or not you have a mirror," he told Reuters. "There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller."

The confirmation of small camera plans echoes Nikon's own plans, which may follow a similar approach and could be ready before March of next year. Neither of the two camera giants has had as much incentive to develop cameras in the class as they both have had significant success with entry-level SLRs. Olympus, Panasonic and Sony have alternately fought to gain noticeable share or haven't truly participated in the category before.

By Electronista Staff

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