This is some kind of New Year resolution for Canon – that is, if all these rumors come to light by the end of the year.
More juice on the Canon 5D Mark III suggests further that the camera would maintain a reasonable MP-count (if not the same as the Canon 1D X). The rumor mill also continues to churn on an announcement for the 5D Mark III in the next few months. For the record, my money is still on an announcement in time for the 2012 NAB Show.
In addition to the 5D Mark III, rumors are swirling that the infamous Canon 3D is a live project. No spec details other than to suggest that it is a “photographer’s camera.” What that means, I dunno. The simplest of guesses has me leaning toward no/minor video functionality, which would go hand-in-hand with earlier rumors of the 5D Mark III as a very video-centric camera.
Hmm? A 5D line as the video-focused line and a 3D line as the stills-focused line? The 3D name would tend to lead to less confusion if the camera didn’t have video capture at all…
The 7D Mark II is rumored as one of THE cameras for Canon at Photokina 2012, which will be quite ripe for replacement by then. The 60D has pulled the rug out from under the 7D in a lot of ways it seems. Same sensor, better video features, and so on. The 7D still has a leg up on a lot of stuff that matters to the serious photographer, but it sure makes it a harder choice to justify over the less-expensive 60D for a lot of folks. I’d expect video to be a big dang deal on the 7D Mark II as well.
The previously-teased Canon 4K Cinema DSLR is also getting its own rumor trail – with suggestions that it will find the red carpet at Photokina 2012 too. It may be getting an entirely new form-factor based on rumors of various prototype models that are currently in the works.
Like I said, it could be some kind of year for Canon in 2012. If Nikon delivers on its D4 and D800 promises, then 2012 could be a very happy year for photographers in both camps.
daverr says
Rumors for Canon 3D is like never ending story. Here is another guy who also thinks a 3D may be coming soon:
http://dslrpassion.com/rumors/45-canon/199-canon-5d-mark-iii-coming-soon-or-canon-3d.html
I am sure 5D Mark III will have a+30MP sensor.
G Grimes says
I hope Canon doesn’t forget about the still photographer. If I want to take a video, I’ll use a video camera, not a DSLR that either doesn’t have follow focus or that has a mirror that degrades still images. I want a DSLR that uses my L glass and approaches the quality of medium format.
Steve says
I agree with G Grimes, I’m into photography not video. Over Christmas I videoed a pantomime at my local drinking den with my canon 5D II using my 24 x 105 lens, The first and last time I use video with my camera. it was very hard to keep things in focus when I zoomed in and out. next time I’ll use a video camera that’s designed for the job. But the worst thing was trying to take photos with my Canon 30D using a 50mm lens because my best lens was taken up taking video. If Canon would bring out a camera with the great functionality of the 5D without the video and bring down the price I would be happy. CANON THINK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND LEAVE THE FILMING TO STEPHEN SPIELBERG.
Matthew says
Gotta go with G Grimes on this one as well. I’d love to see a sans-video camera with “medium format” quality. I’d pay the same amount for the camera if it lacked video but entertained still image features. I have a 5D Mark II and I haven’t once turned on the video feature. I don’t even know how. Don’t want to know how.
That being said, if Canon continues to put video in their cameras, I’ll keep buying them. But I won’t use the video features.
jason says
Sorry folks but there are just as many, if not more, people using the 5d mark ii for video as for photography. That’s just the way it is. I don’t think Canon would limit its consumer base by releasing a photo only camera. That is not to say that they won’t release a new camera that has the same video features of the mark ii without upgrades that is geared towards photography but the fact of the matter is that you can’t get shallow depth of field with regular “video” cameras and that is why the dslr’s are shooting so much of the video right now. Movies, television programs, and commercials are all being shot on 5d/7d/60d. Its not just a photo world anymore when it comes to canon bodies. Just as Matthew has never shot video with his 5d, there are many who have never snapped a photo with it.
Justin says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw2hI5Y8VI8&feature=fvst
A movie shot completely on a 5d mark II- the market is there for the video features and not going anywhere. The video is for professionals not the average consumer.
Dan says
Video is fine as an add-on like originally offered on the 5d mk II, but if Canon wants to offer a large sensor video cam that also allows still photography they can do so in a much better form factor than the 5d mk III. I think they would be able to offer a camera that has a FF sensor with many of the features already found in $500 camcorders at a price point similar to the 5d.
Why compromise the still camera to get a compromised video camera?
Are two compromises better than one?
Why not offer an uncompromised high-resolution still camera and an uncompromised video camera and keep everybody happy. It seems there is a large enough market for both to be profitable and Canon would do well to heed the wants and needs of both markets rather try to give us hodge-podge product.
At this point I’m switching camps and buying the Nikon 800E, an uncompromised still camera for large print landscapes that I want to produce. Canon neither offers sharp enough wide-angle glass nor (now) a high enough resolution camera to suit my needs, which is a real bummer because I’m already invested in a bunch of Canon glass.