It’s that time of year when the simple act of switching the final digit in the date sparks curiosity about what the next twelve months might bring.
In this spirit, we’ve compiled a wishlist of predictions and dreams for each brand—things we genuinely think could happen, alongside some aspirations that are more about wishful thinking than realistic expectations.
Let’s be clear: these aren’t leaks, rumors, or insider tips. They’re purely a mix of educated guesses and optimistic musings. Our crystal ball is currently out of order, so don’t expect any secret insights or whispers from rumor mills here.
Canon: What we expect
Canon made waves in 2024 with its groundbreaking Action Priority AF mode, designed to elevate autofocus reliability during high-speed sports photography. Introduced alongside the flagship EOS R1, Canon didn’t limit this innovation to its elite model—it also debuted on the EOS R5 II. This forward-thinking strategy of sharing advanced features across its lineup is something we fully expect to see continue into 2025, making cutting-edge tech more accessible to photographers of all levels.
But that’s not all we think Canon has up its sleeve. Building on the success of its 2024 lineup, we anticipate more ‘hybrid’ lenses with video-centric features like compact sizes, internal focusing, and manual aperture rings. Last year’s F1.4 ‘hybrid’ lenses in 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths set a high standard, and with competitors like Panasonic expanding their lineups with 85mm and 100mm options, Canon could easily follow suit. A longer focal length addition could be a game-changer for videographers and hybrid shooters alike.
On the more niche side of things, Canon’s legacy of dominating the tilt-shift lens market makes us optimistic for an RF-mount tilt-shift lens release in 2025. Rumors of autofocus-enabled designs have been swirling, and if Canon is indeed the first to deliver, it could revolutionize architectural and product photography. Such an innovation would give EF lens holdouts a compelling reason to jump to the RF system, solidifying Canon’s place at the forefront of imaging technology.
It’s shaping up to be another thrilling year for Canon fans!
2024 may have been a relatively quiet year for Ricoh, but that just means they’re biding their time, preparing for something truly exciting. With special editions of the GR, updates to their rugged G series, and a refreshed Pentax WG line, we’re holding out hope that the calm is a sign of bigger things to come. Rather than scaling back, we’re betting Ricoh is building up to something special—after all, their cameras might only contribute around 1.5% of their overall sales, but the passion and innovation they bring to the table are anything but small.
The most exciting possibility for 2025? A brand-new GR update. Imagine this: a leap forward with Sony Semiconductor’s 40MP BSI sensor, a game-changing move that would take image quality to new heights. Add full weather sealing, and suddenly, the GR would be the ultimate companion for both urban explorers and nature enthusiasts alike. We’re also crossing our fingers for an updated battery—nothing too bulky, just enough to power longer shoots without sacrificing the sleek, pocketable design that made the GR legendary.
If Ricoh does indeed deliver on these upgrades, it could be a total game-changer, making 2025 the year they truly shine. The GR fans will have a lot to celebrate!
That's more than enough prediction and speculation for today, but obviously, there are still quite a few more manufacturers to cover. We'll be back tomorrow to cover companies like Sony, Sigma, Leica and more. In the meantime, are there any obviously likely launches you're expecting to see, or any wished-for features and products you're still hoping for?
Article by Corey Sandler
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