"Two things were noted about 2012.
1.It’s the 25th anniversary of EOS
2.It’s an Olympic year as well as Euro 2012."
25th Anniversary of EOS in 2012 ?
Why hasn't that been mentioned before ?
How did so many people, including myself, miss that ?
That could be the missing clue to understanding the
puzzle that is Canon's release schedule.
Being the world's largest camera manufacturer means
that they've mastered marketing, and how can Canon let
such an opportunity pass by. Naturally they're holding
back product to make a big splash in the 25th year of EOS.
At the very least we'll see 1987 - 2012 and 25 Years
mentioned in all their print and electronic advertising.
Are we going to see badges of such on camera bodies ?
(I hope not)
So, it then makes sense that they'll wait until 2012 to
announce their entry into the mirrorless sweepstakes.
The same goes for all their single digit camera models,
and probably the XXD line, and because it's such a
special year we'll see a long awaited, new lens, or two,
and the expected updates of current lenses. And how
about a 580EX III. Canon's flashes are lagging behind
Nikon's.
I can't imagine that Canon will let Christmas come and go
without offering up another warmed over XXXD or XXXXD
model, but that is the market that is more likely to go for
a 25th Anniversary badged body, and perhaps pay extra for it.
Maybe they'll wait on that, or go ahead and release it early.