Canon’s Waist-Level Concept Camera Turns Heads at CP+ 2026

The most-talked about camera of CP+ 2026 so far doesn't exactly feature the latest tech and doesn't even exist beyond the prototype stage, but the new Canon waist-level concept camera is certainly turning heads.

The market for retro-styled cameras seems to be a massive one at the moment, driven in turn by celeb influencers, the desire for physical interfaces that go 'click' rather than touchscreens, and those that just want to get back to analog ways of shooting. Even given that, though, Canon's new waist-level concept camera is a bit of a weird one. 

The design is an obvious nod to waist-level viewfinder classic box cameras such as Hasselblad, but without any of the self-consciously OTT retro hooks of the likes of the toy-centric $50 CHUZHAO Digital Camera.

Competing Designs

Indeed, it looks like Canon has given this some serious thought, with the company offering two designs and asking people to vote between them.

One is definitely vintage inspired at least, but the other is a far more contemporary, if minimalist design. Both concepts were shown behind glass, and showcased a few advances even over the model that could be handled on the Canon stand. These included a shutter button and a dedicated focus wheel (the show prototype having a shutter lever and a focus ring around the lens).

Waist-level viewfinders are popular with many people who have used them. Partly this is because they work to separate the photographer from the camera and make portrait subjects — especially children — more comfortable. 

Yes, you can use a tilting digital rear screen to achieve roughly the same effect, or you could buy a gizmo like this Optical Waist Level Viewfinder that attaches to a hot or cold shoe and reflects the camera POV upwards (that it's about the same price as the CHUZHAO tells you a lot about both products).

But what's on offer here is shooting with a dedicated Canon camera from the hip (in the demo model's case likely using repurposed EPS hardware).

Pricing and Availability 

We have no idea if this is going to be an actual product or not, but given the enthusiastic response it seems to be receiving online someone will probably bring something similar to the market at some point soon, even if Canon doesn't. 

We were perhaps being tongue-in-cheek earlier this week when we suggested that the major manufacturers could encourage a retro vibe as a way of dealing with Ramaggedon. Now, we're not so sure.