Canon Rumors

2009 Canon Rumors Awards!

Canon Rumors 2009 Awards!
Here are my picks for the best and worst of 2009. Stay tuned tomorrow for my predictions for 2010 from Canon.

*Note: You may disagree with something here, just be nice about it if you make a comment.

Best New Digital SLR
Winner: 1D Mark IV
Runner-up: 7D

This was a tough choice because I have never used a 1D Mark IV (I will be soon). I’m basing this on initial reports from various pros. The image quality, autofocus and feature set make it a winner. The only knock folks have against it is the price. Do digital SLR’s really need to cost $5000?

The 7D is a great camera for most people. After seeing and experiencing the softness of the files at small apertures, my opinion of the camera dwindled a little bit. I still think the 7D is Canon actually listening (for the most part) to consumers of prosumer level camera bodies.

As I said last year, Canon had to rethink the xxD line. The 7D addresses that, now lets see what the 60D brings us.

Worst Digital SLR
Winner: Rebel T1i

More mega pixels and a gimped movie mode. The 18-55 has no hope of resolving the 15.1mp sensor the T1i possesses, so why bother?

The 20fps 1080p movie mode is ridiculous. Lower the bitrate or some other way to gimp the movie mode to keep it below the 7D and 5D2.

The Rebel line also needs scrollwheel. It’s not a saleable feature, but it sure is a great thing to have. Ergonomics of the camera in general feel dated.

I was a big fan of the Rebel line until complacency set it. Yes, the Rebel is the best selling digital slr on earth, but that doesn’t mean it can’t push the boundaries of what a great entry level dslr should be.

Best PowerShot
Winner: S90
Runner-up: SD780

I was happy to see the return of the S line from Canon. I love the S90. I love the size, the ergonomics, the ring and the image quality the camera dishes out. It’s great to see Canon has some creative engineers.

SD780?! Yes, I love that little thing. It’s small (oh so small) and quite stylish. The HD movie mode and image quality are pretty decent. This is another creative offering from Canon.

Worst PowerShot
Winner: SX120
Runner-up: A480

Big, ugly, unreliable and boring.. that’s all I have to say about the SX120. It’s a solid value for what it costs, I’m just not a fan.

The A480 is cheap, and probably worth what it costs. I’d like to see IS put into their entry level camera. The LCD on this camera is horrendous as well.

Best New Lens
Winner: TS-E 17 f/4L
Runner-up: EF-S 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Oh how fun is that 17mm Tilt-Shift? Tons! Canon’s new tilt-shifts, especially the 17mm set the benchmark again for these types of lenses. Image quality, build quality and useablity are second to none. A job well done.

The 17-85 sure needed to be upgraded as a kit lens. The 15-85 is a well built and very good performer on the 7D. You immediately notice the build quality and heft of the new lens when you pick it up. I’ve used it and really think it’s worth the price.

Worst New Lens
Winner: 18-135 IS

Zzzzz….

Best New Third Party Lens
Winner: Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC

I was a big fan of the original, adding vibration correction to the lens just makes it an even better value.

Best New Third Party Camera
Winner: Leica M9
Runner-up: Panasonic GF1

The M9 is a fine example of a company listening to its followers and delivering a great camera to follow-up a not so great camera. I liked the M8, but it was a hassle at times to use.

It costs a lot, but who cares? I’m a big fan of the rangefinder and always will be. I currently use some film Leicas and I’m currently waiting for my M9 to arrive (possibly March!). Leica will not be able to meet demand for this camera in 2010.

The Panasonic GF1 is almost great. The problems I have with the camera is it feels like a point & shoot, the external EVF is pretty bad, I find the camera quite ugly with all those logos on the front and the jpg processing is very poor.

However, it’s a giant step in the right direction for Micro 4/3. I wish Panasonic would hire some real camera designers to really bring the system up to par with other photographic tools.

cr

1D Mark IV Information

Arrival in North America?
I’ve heard from a couple of people we should see the cameras starting to appear tomorrow or Thursday. I can’t let you know where as their stock is already called for and they don’t need 3000 phone calls tomorrow. :)

I’m still waiting to see when Adorama and B&H will have them.

1D Mark IV Mini Review
Brad Mangin had the privilege to shoot with the Mark IV at an NFL football game.

I don’t think he could have been happier with the performance of the camera and especially the autofocus system.

Read More: http://manginphotography.net/2009/12/

Thanks Brad

cr

The Mythical EOS 3D [CR1]

Here we go again
I have received information from a CR3 source that Canon WILL introduce another camera to the lineup. The source has never given any specs.

I have avoided most 3D rumor spec lists because I haven’t received anything from a great source. This is a combined source rumor I received today. I’m posting it because it is a complete departure from the rest of the stuff I usually get.

Combined info from 2 sources
The 3D will introduce new sensor technology that will bring new levels of dynamic range and ISO performance. The camera will be geared to the wedding photography market.

3D Specs:
16.7mp FF
7.2 µm pixel pitch
DIGIC V
Small magnesium alloy body similar to the 5D2
The camera will be priced above the 5D2. Possibly in the $4000-$4500 range with the 1D Mark IV.
Announcement for Photokina.

No information on autofocus system. Everyone hopes the 5D/5D2 system finally disappears.

cr

1Ds Mark IV [CR2]

The latest on the next 1Ds
I’ve received spots of info about the 1Ds over the last month or so. Some good stuff and some silly stuff (square sensor).

Release Date?
I’ve received a few dates, but the last one stated the 1st half of April 2010. The release would coincide with the new firmware for the 5D Mark II.

Specs?
The specs are basically the 1D Mark IV with a 32mp sensor and a much slower framerate. There has been no mention of any new 1Ds only features outside of the sensor.

Could there be some advances in the movie mode? I could definitely see that being a possibility. The movie feature of digital SLR’s (especially from Canon) has been great for sales.

Price
Expect a price tag of $8499 USD.

Camera Testing?
No third party currently has a 1Ds Mark IV. They should make their way into selected pro hands sometime in the next couple of months.

Photokina in September?
This camera could be released for Photokina. This was the original timeframe for the 1Ds4.

cr

*UPDATE* Name That Lens!

UPDATE
I received confirmation that the lens is the 800 f/5.6L IS. The shot was taken with a 400 f/2.8L IS. Weird look to it though.

Hmmm
A comment on the last thread brought up this image of a Canon pro with an unidentified lens.

To me, It looks like the 800 5.6L IS. The problem is, it doesn’t seem like the right size for it.

What do you think?

Name this lens

The image is from here: http://www.usa.canon.com/

cr

Powershot Rumors [CR1]

D11?
A 2nd waterproof added to the lineup?

There could be a slimmer and trimmer version of the D10 coming down the pipe. It would be an addition to the lineup and not a replacement of the very successful D10. It would be 12mp, have 720p video and have a depth rating of 10 feet.

SD1300
Possibly the most successful line of ELPH cameras, the SD1xxx series will receive a bit of a makeover. Expect to see a 2.7 inch screen and a slimmer body shape.

SX210
The replacement of the SX200 will be along the same lines with a new selection of colours and a user selectable popup flash.

All CR1 stuff, stuff should start rolling after the holidays.

Vacation
I’m currently in Ireland visiting the inlaws. I have a mobile internet stick, so keep the emails coming!

cr

1D Mark IV Unboxed!

Under the weather
Sorry for the delay, I had a nice bout with some bad chicken or stomach virus.

Mark IV Unboxings!
This is from Andrew Hobbs. He received his Mark IV in Melbourne, Australia.

Rudolph The Mark IV Lover

This comes from Jesper in Denmark

1D Mark IV Box

1D Mark IV Unboxed!

Time off

I’ll be off to Ireland on Friday, I’ll be tied up travelling on Christmas Day and sleeping off the jet lag on the 26th.

Everyone have a great and safe Christmas/other holiday/Friday.

cr

1D Mark IV’s Available.

Various Reports
I have reports from Bern, Switzerland and Oslo, Norway that Mark IV’s are being sold to consumers.

I’d like to see an unboxing and/or some high ISO files.

Send it to buzz@canonrumors.com

cr

60D & Lenses [CR1]

60D Specs
Someone claiming to be testing a new APS-C camera from Canon wrote in yesterday.

What are they testing?

Specs
18mp APS-C
6.3fps
Single Processor (DIGIC V?)
Looks like a 50D, but has a dedicated video button
1080p Video (no info on framerates)
Less weathersealing than the 7D

Lenses
The same person claims to also be testing the 24-70 f/2.8L II IS and a 100-200 f/2L IS.

The 200 f/2L IS is pretty big (and a personal favorite), how big would a zoom version be?

cr

1D Mark IV Street Dates

Coming Soon

Coming Soon!

As usual with hotly anticipated camera releases, delivery times are all over the place.

This is what I have been told.
- Hong Kong has a release date of December 23, 2009
- A Swiss rep has said dealers in Switzerland should expect a couple of cameras to show up before Christmas.
- In Canada I`m told to be prepared for mid January for the first consumer deliveries. Professional customers may receive cameras before that.
- In the States, I hear lots of conflicting stories. All of which say the camera should start shipping after new years.

We usually see cameras trickle out in Asia before most other places. We`ll be keeping a close eye on that.

I`m exciting for the first unboxings!

Thanks W

cr

Adobe Camera RAW 5.6 Final Release

Get your updates
Adobe has finalized Camera Raw 5.6.

Support for the following cameras has been added from Camera Raw 5.5 to 5.6 and Lightroom 2.5 to 2.6
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 7D
Canon PowerShot G11
Canon PowerShot S90
Leaf Aptus-II 5
Mamiya DM22
Mamiya DM28
Mamiya DM33
Mamiya DM56
Mamiya M18
Mamiya M22
Mamiya M31
Nikon D3s
Olympus E-P2
Panasonic DMC-FZ38
Pentax K-x
Sigma DP1s
Sony A500
Sony A550
Sony A850

Download: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html

Firmware Updates For Everyone!

well, almost everyone.
The following firmware is said to update these cameras to work with the WFT-E2 II.

The 5D Mark II gets an added fix, see the note.

1Ds Mark III: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eos1dsm3/firmware-e.html

1D Mark III: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eos1dm3/firmware.html

5D Mark II: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html
*note: Corrects a phenomenon in which visible noise may appear in images taken by continuous Bulb shooting.

WFT-E2/ E2A: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/wft/wfte2-firmware-e.html

Stealth Upgrades?
I’m not sure if anyone has ever confirmed a Canon firmware update to include undisclosed tweaks and fixes. Anyone know for sure?

thanks Ray

cr

G11, 7D & 1D4 for Aperture & iPhoto Now Available

Joy
Apple’s Aperture can now convert the Canon 7D Raw files.

Update Notes:
This update extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto ’08 and iPhoto ’09 for the following cameras: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, Canon EOS 7D, Canon PowerShot G11, Nikon D3S, Nikon D300S, and Nikon D3000.

thanks Rox, Aaron & Comments

cr

PowerShot G11 Review – DPReview

Canon PowerShot G11

Highly Recommended (Just)
DPReview has completed their review of the Canon PowerShot G11

Conclusion…
“….The G11 combines some of the best compact camera image quality with excellent levels of manual control, an optical viewfinder, flip-out screen, raw capability, superb battery life, flexible lens range and the ability to mount dedicated flashguns. It may not be the smallest camera out there (in fact it’s one of the largest to use such a small sensor), but, if you can live with the compromises this all-round ability brings, then there’s little that can touch it.”

Read The Complete Review: http://www.dpreview.com/….

I’ve played around with one, but not enough to give it a decent review. I know it’s photographer’s point and shoot, but I still wish it had at least 720p video. I guess they have to give us a reason to buy a G12 next year.

Canon does a pretty good job of not screwing up successors (there have been a couple), the G11 holds true to that standard.

$449 G11 @ Adorama
$439 G11 @ Amazon
$439 G11 @ B&H

cr