Canon has been breaking boundaries and launching a flurry of good products in the market for all sections of society. Recently they launched the Canon EOS R5 C and we got a chance to have an interaction with Mr C Sukumaran, Senior Director- Consumer Systems Products and Imaging Communication Business, Canon India. We threw some doozies his way too, and this is what he had to say.
- What is the main USP of the Canon EOS R5 C and how is it better than its predecessors? Who should buy it?
The Canon EOS R5 C is a gamechanger for the cinema industry as it brings to the table not only the uncompromising video quality of the Cinema EOS series but also the unshakable image quality of the EOS R5. Unlike any of its predecessors, the EOS R5 C is a high-quality and high-performance hybrid cinema model. It is Canon’s first camera to provide an internal 8K 60P Cinema RAW Light recording which enables it to perform stupendously in an array of video production scenarios. The EOS R5 C makes long-duration recording/ usage a seamless process because of the inbuilt thermal transfer fan along with proprietary heat transfer architecture which allows longer video recording.
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This compact and versatile camera is thus, the complete package. It is ideal for a wide variety of usage in which mobility plays a crucial role. This includes journalism, documentary filmmaking and fields that require cinema-level image quality, such as those of advertising and corporate video production. Through this launch, we also wish to appeal to filmmakers especially targeting OTT platforms, production houses and creators/artists.
- What is the India road map going to look like, are we going to see more innovations in the mirrorless camera category in 2022?
Our vision is to bring in India-specific solutions that cater to the evolved needs of consumers along with encouraging the passion for the art. We are consistently working on new product developments basis feedback from consumers, optimizing sales network and marketing investments as well as exploring new business opportunities.
Our focus areas and marketing strategies are always in line with upcoming industry trends and new consumption patterns. For instance, in the last five years, we have observed expansion in the professional segment fostered by the growth of wedding photography in Tier-II, III and IV areas. We see this as a growing trend wherein professionals have picked up wedding photography because it helps them earn more money and we see them opting for full-frame mirrorless cameras and buying professional gear.
Thus, this is proof that the mirrorless camera industry in India is growing exponentially and is expected to grow even more steadily in the near future. Our efforts have resulted in us continuously securing the top global share within the industry while witnessing maximum growth in our mirrorless full-frame segment. Hence, it is our continuous endeavour to cater to the ever-evolving needs of customers and bolster our presence further in the mirrorless segment this year.
- How is the business being affected by the emergence of better smartphone cameras? Is there any drop or is the calling as strong as ever?
While this is majorly a concern just at the entry-level, I also believe that smartphones have helped make photography even more popular. If you pick up or see any mobile phone ad, it will highlight the camera as its key function. This along with the proliferation of social media apps like Instagram that thrives on photographs, have prompted consumers to click more and more pictures. And, as they embark on this imaging journey, they start realising that there is a significant difference between taking pictures on a phone and a professional camera. Photography is all about the detailing and that is where they begin to understand the limitations of mobile phone cameras when it comes to nuanced professional photography and thereby moving to professional cameras to get the much-needed quality difference.
Having said that, the traction that we have been witnessing in the realm of professional photography in India in the past few years has been very encouraging. Both our entry-level and mirrorless cameras have been our best performing segments. This shows that demand for professional cameras in India is across segments wherein entry-level cameras depict that more and more photography enthusiasts are taking a step to take up photography as a profession and demand in the mirrorless segment showcases that the industry is quick to adapt to changing technology.
- There is a lot of good video content demand now. How is Canon addressing that segment with its cameras and lenses? Is Canon holding any special classes or sessions to train videographers to be adept with new Canon cameras with 4K video technology? If so, how can one register for them?
At Canon, it has been our consistent effort to bring the latest technologies to our customers that not only enhance their photography and videography experience but also allows them to innovate and experiment with the content they create. From time to time, we organize training sessions in the form of masterclasses for imaging enthusiasts guided by our reputed specialists, Canon EOS Ambassadors. These masterclasses are curated in close association with some of the industry’s best talents and through the same, we aim to reach out to photography enthusiasts across the country by adopting a hyperlocal approach of conducting webinars.
Read Also: Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras launched in India
We also actively engage via Instagram Live sessions and late last year, we even set up an immersive experience like never before in South India titled ‘Capture – The Heart of Action.’ By setting up real-life dedicated zones at the event, we aimed to let customers experience the products first-hand in a captivating environment, an aspect that we all have sincerely missed in the past two years. Purchasing professional imaging equipment requires significant investment and we want to assure our customers of not only the best-in-class technology by showcasing our products but also by providing that much-needed direction and training.
- Are we going to see pocket-friendly cameras for content creators in the future?
Over the past few years, Vlogging has emerged as a new form of content creation, and it is gaining immense popularity and becoming a trend that everyone wants to latch onto. Keeping the same in mind, we had launched the multifaceted EOS M50 Mark II. Poised with features such as those that allow content creators to live-stream directly to YouTube by connecting to Wi-Fi as well as enabling users to create 4K quality videos seamlessly in various scenarios, the EOS M50 Mark II has gained admiration among the ‘Vlogger’ community.
To further support content creators to produce engaging content and fuel their passion, we are working on creating more innovative imaging products powered with the best-in-class features and user-friendly interfaces at affordable pricing for professional imaging gear.
- Any last comments you would want to add?
In sync with our corporate tagline- ‘Delighting You Always’, reinforced by world-class technology, we will continue to refine our diverse imaging technologies. Based on our core optical technology, we are working towards creating an even stronger imaging system that meets the needs of increasingly diverse users to promote the spread of photo and video culture. We are working on expanding our presence into new segments including Education technology, Vlogging, OTT, Preaching and Virtual Reality as we strive to be a one-stop-shop for all photography needs.
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