The CES 2021 online show has opened and for the first time in many years, the leading imaging equipment manufacturers had no new cameras to announce.


Sony’s new Airpeak drone equipped with the α7S III being used to shoot a behind-the-scenes video showing the road test of its new Vision-S electric vehicle in Austria. (Source: Sony.)

This year’s show concentrated on new developments in automotive and digital health technologies as well as products for a smarter home that creates a home, office and workout space. Of the camera manufacturers presenting at the show, Sony was arguably the most innovative, with a video showing its Airpeak drone equipped with the α7S III being used to shoot a behind-the-scenes video showing the road test of its new Vision-S electric vehicle in Austria. A still frame from this video is used as the lead picture for this post. Note that both the Airpeak drone and Vision-S car were pre-announced late last year but neither is as yet in production.

Canon’s American Corporate Communications manager, Chris Sedlacek , began the media briefing by stating: You won’t hear about new cameras and printers as usual before going on to explain the company was presenting a broader perspective covering how its products were being used in different industries, with different partners and involving new applications. Canon USA President and CEO, Kevin Ogawa, went on to outline various areas in which Canon technologies were being used for refining how we see our future; to capture life, experience sports and entertainment and work together.

Nikon’s page provided links to a company profile (complied in September 2020) plus videos about its Z7II and Z6II mirrortless cameras. Panasonic also covered equipment launched last year, including the LUMIX BGH1 Streaming Box Camera for livestream broadcasting, plus two interchangeable-lens cameras: the LUMIX S5 full-frame model and the LUMIX G100 4K M4/3 vlogging camera.

The next opportunity for new imaging equipment to be announced will be the CP+ online show, which takes place between 25 and 28 February. Online registration for this event opens on 20 January.

Outside of imaging. The biggest stories from CES 2021 involved OLED TV sets, physically flexible (rollable or foldable) smartphones, faster more powerful graphics cards for gaming, more capable mobile processors and AI-powered domestic appliances. CES 23021 winds up tomorrow.