Where are the SLR’s?
The embargo on the 60D doesn’t end until August 26, 2010. So that’ll be next Thursday.
No word on what else will be announced with it.
Expect at least 2 lenses.
1Ds Mark IV
I’ve heard nothing about an announcement date for the camera, only that it’ll be around for Photokina.
Big White Lenses
A few people are saying all 4 of the big whites are being replaced. This may be true, but I still believe they’ll be updated in pairs.
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Radio Ga Ga
See USPTO Appl. No. 12/700,098
Photography Bay has uncovered a patent for what appears to be radio based flash triggers from Canon.
It’s an obvious evolution and much needed feature in todays DSLRs.
The patent application tells us that Canon’s proposed wireless flash system is based off of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which is more commonly known as a wireless standard applied for low-rate wireless personal area networks operating at 2.4GHz, 915MHz and 868MHz. The 802.15.4 standard is the basis for the likes of the ZigBee specification, which these little chip antennas use to garner an impressive range of 300 feet (using the 2.4GHz band).
This is not a whole lot different in concept from the good ole 802.11 WiFi; however, power management, critical latency and cost are key concerns in the 802.15.4 standard, which makes it a seemingly ideal fit for something like TTL flash radio communication.
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Just a quick post
I received an email about a new consumer DSLR being tested.
A couple of features that were mentioned.
Features
- Movie focused
- Swivel LCD
- Between the T2i & 7D
- A smaller form factor than the 50D, but not by much.
- The announcement is coming in July
From the same source
A new flash and 1Ds Mark IV will be announced near the end of August/Early September.
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680EX?
The 580EX II will remain in the lineup.
Direct email quote.
An all new Top-Line Master Controller Flashgun tentatively named 680ex will be launched offering:
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5D Mark III in 2011
Vincent Laforet on a recent webcast alluded to the next incarnation of the 5D coming “next year”.
He also mentioned Canon is committed to improving the mini HDMI connector on the cameras.
It’s rare to hear any of the sponsored photographers mention future products.
New Flash
A brief comment I received said Canon is readying to replace the 580EX II with a new unit. This will not be an addition to the flash lineup. There will be some new technology built into the flash as well.
PowerShot SX20 Replacement
The SX20 replacement will take a bit of a departure from the SX10 & SX20. Expect a new lens setup, design and image sensor technololgy.
The source also says expect the SX20 to be the last superzoom from Canon that uses AA batteries. I know that will NOT be music to the ears of a lot of people. It seems to be a 50/50 split for LiIon vs AA with the camera line.
New Waterproof Camera
Expect a new waterproof camera to be announced with the 60D in the coming month. I’ve also been told there could be a waterproof camcorder.
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About time someone spoke up
A CR regular has piped up about the massive announcement of new gear coming from Canon.
I’m told to expect 2 separate announcements, one for the prosumer market and one for the pro market.
Announcement 1
Announcement 2
The source says amendments could be made over the next few weeks, so keep checking back.
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From one good source
This is a CR2 source that has been right on multiple occasions and missed a few.
Next week I’m told we will see the following.
Camera:
1Ds Mark IV at 32mp. No other spec details.
There will be no 60D at this time.
Lenses:
EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS
I’m told this is for sure, take it to the bank. I have yet to hear from CR3 people in regards to the lens.
2 other lenses would be announced. One would be niche market and the other an EF mount lens. There is currently nothing more definitive out there.
Flash [CR1]
2 different sources said we’ll see a new speedlite. Both are CR1
There should be ton of info over the weekend, and I’ll be awake for most of it.
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New Pro Speedlite
I was told today that a new pro flash is in the process of being tested and will greatly benefit users of gels, as well as a “few other surprises” I haven’t been told about yet.
Feature List
- Gel info built into unit
- Custom gel accessories from Canon
- A guide number higher than 58. Perhaps as high as 70.
- Some functions of the flash unit are not yet available in EOS cameras, not even the 1D4. Possibly new camera firmware needed.
- Exact announcement date unknown, although 2010 is likely.
That’s all for now.
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Be sure to scroll down for Parts 1 & 2
So here we go, last predictions post and then back to the rumors (it’s been quiet).
What’s going on in PowerShot?
I don’t think there’s going to be too much revolutionary from Canon. They make the best selling compacts on earth and that probably won’t change. I think we’ll see a couple new models.
G Series?
The G12 will be announced next summer and will probably be about the same with the addition of HD video. Could we see a CMOS sensor added to the camera? It’s possible. There’s always a few “G”Mos rumors floating around.
I don’t expect any large sensor G series camera.
S Series
The S90 is doing quite well for Canon and will have an incremental update next summer. HD Video most likely. I don’t see a 2nd “S” series camera added to the lineup.
D Series
The D10 and it’s love/hate design has been a huge success for Canon. I expect a D20 with an array of colors and HD video. The accessory kit for $100+ was a stupid idea.
I could also see an elph sized waterproof camera. Perhaps with a 3 meter rating and slim design.
SX Series
There will be an update to the SX200 that will probably be incremental. The camera has sold quite well. It needs a bit of a boost in image quality and the popup flash annoys people.
There will be an SX130 I expect, we know how I feel about that camera. Hey, it’s cheap with a big zoom.
SX20 IS will get another incremental upgrade. Canon sells so many of these cameras. I can’t help but think they’re going to lithium battery these cameras eventually. Another chipped battery. I’m personally a AA fan for the line.
A Series
A lot of people were upset when manual controls were removed from the A series. I can see a 2100 update getting the manual controls back, but not the 1100 update.
I also expect to see an “A” series camera with an articulating screen come back. I think a lot of people missed it.
A480 update will be…. zzzz
ELPH
A very popular series of cameras. I think the most creative stuff will appear here.
I can see an ELPH with the G11/S90 sensor announced soon. Perhaps with 5x zoom.
I think we’re going to see a small 8x zoom camera launched sometime this year. No other large zoom ELPH camera will be introduced.
The touchscreen camera will get a facelift. It needs some more creative uses for the touchscreen like Nikon has.
The SD780 and Sd1200 will receive subtle upgrades. I could see the screen getting larger on both and the optical viewfinder removed.
As I mentioned earlier, perhaps a waterproof ELPH.
E & TX Series
I can’t even wager a guess if Canon will try to resurrect these lines. I do know of a few TX1 fans. I haven’t met an E1 fan. :)
I don’t predict anything too crazy.
Flashes
I think we’ll see a 580 EX II replacement or an addition to the flash lineup above it. ETTL3 metering. I also expect a higher guide number.
I expect the cameras could receive firmware upgrades for such a flash if needed. I’d be interested to see if the 1D Mark IV has any firmware clues about a new flash.
The 430EX II and 270EX will remain current.
Accessories
What the heck, I predict we’ll see a GPS addon for Photokina for the EOS line. :)
Software
This is more of a wish. I want to see DPP redone and have an interface line Aperture & Lightroom. I love the quality of files I get from DPP, I just hate using it.
That’s it, that’s all. Predictions done. If I hit 50% correct, I’ll consider that a success.
Enjoy 2010 and good look in all your photography endeavours.
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Cryptic Emails
Received some info about a new flash that will be launched in the winter.
This is what I think the email was saying.
Specs
ETTL-III
Guide Number: 205′ / 63m
18mm-250mm Metering
Weather Sealed
Faster Recycle Time
USB Port (??? not sure what that means)
No other specifics at this time.
History
“ETTL-II” was launched with the 1D Mark 2.
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