AP published a statement from Rainer Fuehres (head of Canon Consumer Imaging in Europe) that Canon doesn't really need a new mirrorless compact system camera since their current products are selling very well. He went further by saying that if Canon creates a new system camera, it will be something different:
"The idea of the compact system camera is nothing to do with whether the camera has a mirror or not, but about creating a small and more portable system. If Canon does take part I hope we won't introduce just a me-too product, but we'll use the opportunity to do something different."
Nikon executive made a similar statement last year. It seems that Nikon and Canon are taking their time and are planning to bring something different to the growing mirrorless market.
Canon recently filed a patent for what appears to be a lens adapter for a mirrorless camera:
