Rumorwise, I think we're talking about the wrong camera here. Let's evaluate the information we have. The "very reliable source " says that "There will be 3 DSLRs launched in 2013, two of them will be “entry level” and one will be “mid level”."
Then CR guy comments that "The two entry level cameras will probably be a new Rebel and a 70D... ...The midlevel camera is probably the EOS 7D Mark II"
So, the source is simply stating "2 x entry and 1 x mid", the rest being CR speculation. At least this is the way I understand it. CR guy, can you confirm?
Should this be the case, I respectfully disagree. The two entry level cameras may likely be the T3 (1100D) and T4i (650D) replacements, I wouldn't call a 70D "entry level". I understand the plastic 60D has lowered our expectations, nevertheless I would rather file the xxD line under the "mid level" class of dSLR. Consider many pros have used, and some still use, the 40D, one of the best crop dSLR ever. No, firmly no, "entry level" is not the class to place the 70D in.
Therefore, it is more likely that we'll see the T5(?) (1200D), T5i (700D) and 70D announced in 2013, no 7D mark II for the current year. Note that I would be very happy to be proved wrong by facts, since I'm really wanting the 7D2 to be available the soonest, but I doubt we'll see it delivered before 2014.
I had an interresting talk with five Japanese tourists at the winners ceremony.
They had professional Nikon and Canon cameras and told me that Nikon will release a top Crop Camera in spring this year and update their Nikon 100-400 pedant (80-400 or so).
The Canon 7D2 will be priced much higher than an D300 successor, near the 5D3 .
The Camera will be an class for its own. A small 1Dx. Fast AF and high fps. A special product for all persons that will need high speed and do not have the money for an 1Dx.
The Canon successor of the 100-400 will be at 270.000-300000 Yen.
One of them said, that in Japanese photography chatrooms many think, that Canon should buy some of the parts at thrid party companies. Today the Sony chip is much better than Canons.
And if Canon will not change their strategy, they will be soon in financial problems
Makes perfect sense to me, +1 for the Five Japanese Tourists. Canon won't repeat the aberration of placing 4 aps-c cameras in the market, 3 of which having he same sensor, separating the top one from the cheapest by only a few hundred $. That's why they were someways forced to break one of the 60D legs by dropping AFMA and magnesium alloy body. So here's what the possible roadmap may be in 2013 for EOS bodies, assuming the "very reliable source" is correct:
1. The T3 (1100D) replacement with the already overused 18MP sensor, which would be a significant improvement over the current 12 MP one. In this way, Canon would painlessly get rid of the 18 MP sensors they still have in stocks. The T3 was marketed March 2011, its predecessor was June 2008: only two formers don't make a statistic, so the next one (T5, 1200D ?) could be any date.
2. The 70D. It will be likely given back the magnesium alloy body and AFMA, plus all the bells & whistles we've been rumoring about in this thread and before. The major question is about the sensor: will Canon stick again to 18 MP, will they dare shrinking 24MP in an old tech sensor, or will they deliver the rumored new tech sensor with a MP count and a read noise adequate to compete with, or hopefully better, today's aps-c rivals? Let's hope it's the latter.
3. The T5i (700D) with the same sensor as the 70D in a Rebel body, keeping the approx 1-year life cycle typical of the Rebel line.
As concerns the 7D Mark II, my guess is that it will be a pro camera with improved AF over the 7D, an insane 12-14 fps, dual Digic (maybe we'll see the "VI" debut) and all the stuff needed to justify its price which will be close to that of the 5D III, maybe something less (but I wouldn't be much surprised if it is going to be even something more), to be marketed in 2014. Regarding the price, don't forget the 7DII is going to partially fill the gap left by the gone aps-h line.
Right now the sensor is the weak part of the chain, but even so the system beats the competition for my needs.
Totally agreed. But, over time, the weak link in the chain must be reinforced, otherwise the link fails, the chain breaks and the system goes down as a whole. I'm sure there's more than one trick up Canon's sleeve in this respect, the only question is how long will it take to translate into production what R&D is for sure already testing. I would also include the possibility for Canon to pay Sony the royalties and use their patented technology, which doesn't necessarily imply they will pay forever, but only until they can match or surpass the competitors with proprietary tech. Again, the FJT may be right...
