I decided I'd weigh in on what I felt were Canon's best and worst products of 2015. I didn't find any of the DSLR releases to be all that interesting this year. While I like the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R, I just haven't found a use personally for either of them. I felt 2015 was a development year for Canon as far as DSLRs and mirrorless cameras go and we should expect some big things in 2016,
Best Product Release by Canon in 2015
Winner: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Canon released a lot of great new L and DO lenses in 2015, but my pick for the best of 2015 is the brand new “nifty fifty”. Canon improved just about everything on the new version of this lens and did something amazing, they didn't raise the price over the lens it replaced.
Improvements include 7 aperture blades instead of 5, a metal mount, STM AF motor, faster AF, improved build quality, so it might actually survive a fall. It stops down to f/22 instead f/16 on the lens it replaces.
Just because something is “entry level” doesn't mean it can't also be great and this is one great product release by Canon.
Runner-Up: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II
There were a lot of great lenses to choose from this year, the EF 11-24mm f/4L is one of a kind, the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II is a nearly perfect update the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II proves Canon is still behind its diffractive optics development.
I have to give the runner-up award to the EF 35mm f/1.4L II though, while the other L and DO releases were great, this lens has a bigger mass appeal, which is why I chose it. Canon once again improved everything about the previous version of a lens model. Optical quality and build quality are again class leading and you cannot overlook having a native Canon lens for accurate autofocus when you need it most. Yes, the lens is expensive, but after the recent teardown we saw of the new lens, it looks to be justified.
Canon continues to be the best and most advanced lens maker in the world and it's likely the big reason they retain their marketshare in the DSLR space.
Worst Product Release by Canon in 2015
Winner (Loser): Canon XC10
I don't think anyone has any idea what Canon was thinking with this oddball camera. Canon's marketing claims it's a product for everyone including still shooters, videographers & photojournalists.
What usually happens when you try to make something for everyone? You end up making something for no one. Which is exactly what Canon did.
Runner-Up: Canon EOS M3
I don't care if you've improved on the EOS M and the EOS M2, all you're doing is updating a product that is flawed to something that is still flawed. The EOS M system is still way behind mirrorless leaders Sony, Fujifilm & Olympus, and that has to change soon. Canon is promising that it will, but we'll take the wait and see approach.
Sound off in the forum with your own best and worst list.