
Canon RF Mount Could Be Forced Open After Nikon Ruling
A Chinese patent ruling that invalidated one of Nikon's Z-mount patents in its Viltrox case has set a precedent Canon cannot easily escape. Here's what could change for third-party RF lenses.
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A Chinese patent ruling that invalidated one of Nikon's Z-mount patents in its Viltrox case has set a precedent Canon cannot easily escape. Here's what could change for third-party RF lenses.

A Chinese civil drone registry lists DJI's next enterprise thermal aircraft as the Matrice 5TD at 2.6 kg empty and 3.05 kg MTOW, putting it 750 g above the 4TD and pointing at a heavier, better-sensed successor that may dock with a new Dock 4.

Nikon quietly launches the Z5IIC at $1,399.95 (24.5MP full-frame, EXPEED 7, Scene Modes on the mode dial, mid-October), Sony Japan pushes the FX5 to "late October or later," Canon Rumors pegs the EOS R7 Mark II for Q1 2027, and Viltrox brings four Air primes to L-Mount under $200.

Canon VP Tsuyoshi Tokura told Nikkei that compact camera growth is being driven by younger shooters who value style over specs, and confirmed the company is expanding its V Series lenses for video-first shooting.

Sony Japan has updated the FX5 cinema camera's release date for the third time, now saying it will ship 'from the end of October, or later' — more than two months after the original August 21 date.

Canon Rumors reports the EOS R7 Mark II will arrive in Q1 2027, citing a source with a strong track record. No specs yet.

Viltrox's AF 14mm F4, 20mm F2.8, 40mm F2.5, and 50mm F2 Air primes are shipping today for L-Mount, priced $168–$199 and weighing 159–205g each.

Insta360 opened its first US flagship store in Times Square on September 19, the same week the company said it has now shipped 10 million cameras worldwide.

IBC 2026 ripples met a clean Canon shot across the bow: the EOS R8 II finally gets IBIS at $1,899, Sony answers with the lightest 400mm and 600mm G Masters yet, Panasonic slips a $500 L-Mount wide onto shelves, and Camp Snap gives the 110 film camera a screen-free digital sequel.

OpenAI reportedly bought Glass Imaging for $300M (WSJ, Sep 14), GoPro officially joined the Micro Four Thirds System, Canon launched the EOS R8 Mark II with IBIS at $1,899, and Sony announced the lightest-in-class FE 400mm F4.5 GM and FE 600mm F6.3 GM for October.

Panasonic announced the LUMIX S 20mm F2.5 on September 16 - a 142g ultra-wide prime at $499 - plus free firmware updates for the LUMIX S9, S1RII and S1II dropping October 13.

Canon's 24.2MP EOS R8 Mark II adds 5-axis IBIS, 40fps electronic burst, and 6K-oversampled 4K60 video in a 546g body — at $1,899, ships late October 2026.