They usually avoid competing in the same higher end market of the brands who buy lenses from them, like more broadcast oriented divisions of Sony, Panasonic or JVC. Even RED is a good customer for their lenses, when it comes to 35mm sensor digital cinema cameras, that record 3, 4 or 5k.

What I think Canon will be competing in, is the range of prosumer cameras such as the announced Panasonic AG-AF100 or the upcoming Sony entry level 35mm camera annouced at NAB 2010.
I would expect a camera with a sensor between 4/3″, APS-C or 35mm, but recording Full HD, not more than that. The sensor size would benefit shallower depths of field and would probably be the kind of sensor we now have on the 5D Mark II or the 7D… The same way Panasonic used the GH1 sensor as basis for the AG-AF100.

It should obviously be an interchangeable lens model and whether it will use the existing EF lenses or new ones with proper video functions (AF, stop focus…), I don’t know. Maybe both. This should have at least 50mbps data rate and 4:2:2 color, for flash card recording… and maybe 2gbps and 4:4:4 through SDI, at best!..

How the XF305 will sell from next year on, is a mistery to me… With all these larger sensor cameras coming up at lower prices, I don’t know how the XFs will keep selling at $7k… But that’s something Canon will have to figure out themselves.

In the past, Canon was known for coming up late for the race, but with somewhat better products than the competition… However, at the speed that technology is evolving lately, I think Canon did a bad move in waiting this long to release the XFs. I think this time, they got to the race too late.

I hope this wakes them up for the need of releasing the new camcorder as soon as possible. We definitely have waited too long for the replacement of the XL-H1. I think now Canon needs to reveal in Spetember’s Global Expo, the new camcorder that will compete with these new larger sensor cameras that Panasonic and Sony will be releasing in the end of 2010, beginning 2011.

This have-it-all camera will be a dream for movie makers but will not be available until 2014. Given canon’s track record of offering only what-is-necessary, while introducing a game changer, we will see a pretty basic stuff, just good enough to compete with RED and not a threat to SONY. Yes the camera cartel a.k.a canon, sony, pana still are in control of broadcast and movie markets

Why not? But would be nice if it is a full frame cam with EF-S compatibility (readout of smaller sensor area) and a higher resolution. Binning of a 20 Megapixel sensor for 2 Megapixels of HD video would enhance the quality dramatically: ca. 3 red pixels plus 3 green pixels plus 3 blue pixels for one movie full color pixel!!!

‘low’ ISO caused by pelicle light loss and need to keep heat generation down

S

This does read like a wish list, but it is a believable wish-list considering how each feature would differentiate the Canon from current competitors. I work in marketing and this type of list is often requested by those creating brochures, etc since they are pivotal benefits that make the product stand out. Perhaps the source of the rumor was referring to the list of features that Canon Marketing wants to explain and point out.

I wouldn’t list this rumored camera as a video camera any more than the folks at Red consider their gear “video” gear. It is clearly focused on Digital Cinema with many fringe benefits to other shooters who want high frame rates and AI servo AF.

I was a little surprised at the ISO 100-1600 though. If the pixel density is lower then why a more limited ISO range??