Mk III firmware update - in 6 months !!!!!!!

[ahab1372]

I would like to see a 7D II with a 1D type AF system and an improved sensor. It might be the best wildlife camera to date and I would be willing to pay a dollar or two for it.

But here is what is wrong with your and my logic in this John. Canon released a camera called the 6D. In Canon's marketing it goes like this 1D>5D>6D and it stands to reason they will continue this with a new 7D being less than all of those, even the 6D. We saw this with the 50 - 60D upgrade where Canon took features away so it wouldn't compete with the 7D. I think technically what we want is a superior 7D, I think in reality what we will end up with will be a downgraded 7D.

One could argue that the FF over crop sensor still justifies the lower number indicating superiority.
So much fun to speculate ...

[Kayaker72]

Personally, I don't think they are going to want to strand so many current 7D users. If canon doesn't come out with a legitmate 7DII, but instead comes out with a 70D hybrid, people like me will have two choices if we are to buy a new body:

1) Go FF (6D or 5DIII).
2) Buy the 70D hybrid.

For a lot of us, I have to think the solution would Canon's nightmare...."neither." My 7D is still taking perfectly good pictures. I just rolled the 30,000 click mark () and it is going strong. If they don't give me something worth me upgrading...I won't.

So, I expect something like this:

1DXS---new sensor tech, high MP....professional niche camera (~$9,000)
1DX---Professional series FF camera. Amazing everything ($6,600)
5DIII---Professional series FF camera. Amazing AF ~$2,800-$3,000
6D---Entry level FF camera. Minimal AF ~$1,900-$2,100
7DII---Semi-Pro series cropped sensor camera, very good AF (but not the same as the 5DIII or 1DX), improved ISO performance of ~1 stop (they'll claim 2) ~$1,800 (less new features)-$2,400 (the superior replacement many want)
70D--Advanced Amature cropped sensor camera, good AF, ~$1,200
etc....

So, at the ~$2,000 price point you choose between a FF sensor with ok AF or advanced AF (but not likely the 5DIII/1DX level) but a crop sensor. BTW, if they do this I can see a lot of people owning a 5DIII and a 7DII for less than a 1DX. Also, this would get [eople like me a reason to upgrade (better AF, especially lower light, and 1-2 more stops of ISO performance). Slight tangent, another reason I'd upgrade is if they tone down the AA filter and increase sharpness.....

Anyway, that is my speculation.

[btaylor]

Just another thought, do you think there will be more of a push toward full frame cameras in the future?

There needs to be a real step change difference between compact cameras and DSLRs now to ensure they still provide the user with something compacts cannot. With the introduction of the Canon EOS M and the myriad of 4/3 interchangable lens cameras coming out I think the differentiating factor is going to come down to sensor size. This strategy kind of explains the introduction of the 6D (in my head) as I can't really figure out where it sits in the grand scheme of things.

[Busted Knuckles]

Dawned on me that Magic Lantern most recent "Alpha 2" release for the 5dIII has clean HDMI out so perhaps Canon is responding to the ML folks?

[btaylor]

Possibly, will give ML a run once it goes to Beta I think.