Canon introduces the first 2 of its 8K broadcast-grade lenses to the US market

Canon's US division has unveiled 2 new 8K broadcast lenses in this region. The UHD-DIGISUPER 51 is associated with the "world's highest" zoom of 51x, as well as the world's "best" focal length range (15.5 millimeters (mm) for wide-angle and 790mm for telephoto). Accordingly, it is intended for close-ups, and yet is touted as capable of cross-field clarity by its maker.

The 7x10.7 KAS S, as the name suggests, is rated for 7x zoom across a 10.7-75mm focal range. Therefore, Canon asserts that it is ready for a range of next-gen broadcasting use-cases. Nevertheless, it is also described as portable and user-friendly.

These new lenses may seem less than relevant to even the most new-tech-happy of prosumers. Then again, they bring the prospect of more 8K lenses for this grade closer than ever, and may also help define the content we'll all watch in the near future. This is particularly true as Canon is taking this opportunity to push the new, 1.25-inch image format that the KAS S and DIGISUPER S1 support.

This, in turn, may influence the corresponding image format (such as 1920x1080) at the display end. On the other hand, the 2 lenses are also compatible with more conventional formats such as 2/3-inch and Super 35mm.