There’s been a rumor swirling around the internet that Europe’s red tape might be the reason why we haven’t seen new camera launches from the big players like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Leica this year.
Reports have been circulating online, suggesting that the anticipated camera releases slated for May, such as Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Nikon Z6 III, Sony ZV-E10 II, and Leica M12, have all been hit by delays. The culprit? Compliance with new European Union (EU) regulations. According to Sony Alpha Rumors, “A trusted source told me that companies have delayed some of their camera launches to make them compliant with new EU regulations.”
This isn’t as surprising as it might sound. Take Apple, for instance. They had to switch out their proprietary Lightning port for a USB-C one on the iPhone 15 series due to similar compliance issues. But what exactly are these regulatory hurdles that the camera giants are facing?
Both Sony Alpha Rumors and Asobinet in Japan point to the recently adopted Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) by the European Parliament. With the increasing integration of AI technology in cameras – from deep learning AF algorithms to advanced predictive AI features – compliance with this act appears to be a significant obstacle. Cameras like the rumored R5 Mark II and Canon EOS R1 with their advanced AI features could be caught in this regulatory web.
European legislation is not something to be brushed aside easily. For a detailed dive, the BBC offers a comprehensive breakdown, but here’s the gist: the AI Act serves as the world’s first extensive framework aimed at mitigating the risks posed by artificial intelligence. It categorizes AI products based on their potential risk, with higher-risk applications facing stricter regulations. Particularly, AI applications processing biometric data, such as facial recognition, will face stringent scrutiny.
This focus on biometric data is likely why face-detect and tracking autofocus systems are in the spotlight. If the AI Act is indeed the stumbling block, it seems like these new cameras are caught in a complicated legal puzzle. As one might expect, this isn’t a showstopper. Lawyers and paperwork can solve compliance issues, and word on the street suggests that Sony and Leica might only face delays until June. Still, it’s odd that none of these major brands have released a new camera for almost half a year. Fingers crossed, there are no further delays.
Interestingly, this compliance issue hasn’t stopped all camera manufacturers. Fujifilm, for example, has launched the X-T50 without much fuss. So, if you’re in the market and can’t wait, you might want to check out the best Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Leica cameras currently available.
So, while European red tape might be holding up some of the big names in the camera world, it’s not an insurmountable issue. With compliance in the works, hopefully, we’ll see these awaited cameras hitting the market soon. Stay tuned!
