Nikon D800 at 36mp, Will Canon Respond?

[gene_can_sing]

This is nice no matter what because Canon will have to do something. I would just prefer a decent pixel 5D3 with incredible video features. 36mp is way too high and unnecessary for most people. I would even prefer the current high performing ISO 12 mega pixel D700 over a lower performing ISO with huge megapixels. But then again, I'm not the target audience because I mostly do video.

[LetTheRightLensIn]

The big question is how the current lenses will hold up to a 36mp+ camera

No, that is not the big question. Even the 50D has a higher density sensor than this.
The big question is is Canon management capable of responding?
Now Nikon has a semi-fast (6fps) cam with hi-res and reach (36) in FF with video and pro-level AF in a compact body. What was that from that Canon exec a few years ago who said Nikon was hopelessly far behind Canon in every single respect and that Canon merely had to sit on top and do nothing??

[LetTheRightLensIn]

The big question is how the current lenses will hold up to a 36mp+ camera

How will my harddisk hold up to 50-60 MB RAW files?

Srsly, I'm quite happy with 21 MP and hope they don't jump too far ahead, more DR and better high ISO would be much more welcome than more pixels.

yeah the HD gobbling is a little scary though

[LetTheRightLensIn]

If true (very hard to believe) and Canon doesn't respond, then Canon will loose all of its userbase within month.

This cracks me up. You really think that pro photographers are chomping at the bit to be able to take 7,311 x 4,874 pictures instead of 5,616 × 3,744? .... Get real.

it's more pro-level AF in a SMALL FF body with high HP and at least 6fps plus video

[LetTheRightLensIn]

The 5D Mark II is a great camera. I know several people that have and love them, but I can't bring myself to buy three+ year old technology, believing that a replacement is right around the corner. I have to admit the wait is killing me.

Based on Moore's Law, Canon should be able to get four times as many pixels in their sensor, now, as they could have, three years ago. Of course, it's not always about more pixels, as has been pointed out. There are trade-offs, such as reduced heat, power, noise, etc. Still, I would be surprised if Canon couldn't make a FF sensor that is one or two stops better and still increase the pixel count.

The 5D  was announced on August 22nd, 2005.
The 5D Mark II was announced on September 17th, 2008.

Here are a few things that changed, during those three years (8/2005 to 9/2008):
Megapixels 12.8 increased to 21.1 (60% increase)
Maximum ISO 3200 increased to 25,600 (3 Stop Improvement)
Added 1080p video

Given a similar 3 year time-frame (8/2008 to 10/2011), I believe it's possible that Canon could produce a 5D Mark III with:
33.9 megapixels
Maximum ISO 204,800

Canon has a lot of options and trade-off's to consider when implementing newer technologies and I don't necessarily expect to see a 33.9 megapixel camera with 204,800 ISO, but in theory, based on the leap from the 5D to the 5D MKII, they could.

i dont think 5d2 was 3 stops better than 5d, don't go by max listed ISO!!
and the limits are so close to what can be done compared to then so you can't expect 6 stops better than 5D, certainly not for SNR, canon DR has been low at ISO100/200 so there maybe you could almost do that, that certainly would be awesome

[eos650]

I'm hoping to see both increased pixels and higher ISO, as follows:

29 Megaipixels+ would allow the same zoom factor for a given lens as the 7D, once cropped down to the same 18 Megapixel resolution and secondly, I am hoping for a 1 to 2 stop improvement in sensitivity, while keeping the same or lower level of noise.

An increase in sensitivity would be a huge improvement in both convenience and cost savings. For example a one stop improvement would be the difference between an f2.8 and a f4.0 lens. Meaning the f4.0 lens on the new camera would act similarly in low light as an f2.8 lens on the older camera. A f2.8 lens generally costs 2 to 3 times as much as an f4.0 lens and usually weighs about 2 to 3 times as much, as well. A two stop improvement, would let you shoot at f5.6 in situations, where f2.8 might currently be needed.

Of course, if you still want or own the f2.8, you could shoot in situations that you can only dream of, now. My 50mm f1.4 can practically take pictures in the dark. Imagine doing that with a 70-200mm f2.8.

[eos650]

I don't know if Moore's Law applies here or not, but the technologies have been improving at a rapid pace, regardless.

In general, I presume the R&D for the 5D started roughly 3 years before the 5D Mark II, when ever that was. Regardless, we are talking about three years of improvements, between the 5D and the 5D Mark II and another three years of improvements from the 5D Mark II to present. I'm sure that Canon hasn't been sitting on their hands.

[J. McCabe]

Nikon Rumors is reporting a 36mp D800 coming in the next 30-60 days at a 99% probability.

Why does a Canon site care? Lots of people speculated Canon was waiting for a Nikon announcement to decide how to proceed. If Nikon announces this camera and is able to delivery before the year closes out, I don’t think Canon has any choice but to respond in some way.

If the 5Dmk3 has 36MP, I wouldn't buy it unless it  makes coffee *and* give head better than my girlfriend.

[K-amps]

It might be a stretch but perhaps the new sensor on the D800 is a 3 layer sensor like the Sigma foveon? That keep the file sizes the same as 12MP file sizes.

I like that Idea!

[Fleetie]

It might be a stretch but perhaps the new sensor on the D800 is a 3 layer sensor like the Sigma foveon? That keep the file sizes the same as 12MP file sizes.

Er, how's that?

[theuserjohnny]

I honestly doubt that Canon will come back with a 5D Mark III. I kinda agree with what has been given in terms of speculation and that Canon will come back with the new-entry full frame camera that will sit below a Mark III.

When the Mark III comes out Canon is aiming for both video and photography and at the moment if the rumors hold up Canon is already aiming at the video people for November 3rd. So it would only make sense that they release a new-entry camera for the photographers and then save the big guns heading into next year with the Mark III.

[bchernicoff]

it's more pro-level AF in a SMALL FF body with high HP and at least 6fps plus video

That's a good point. As a total package, that would be very compelling. I keep a 7D for action and a 5D Mk II for everything else. If Nikon introduced a body that was the best of both and Canon didn't, that would be a compelling reason to consider switching.

[danski0224]

I hope people switch and sell off their lenses.

Lower prices for me

[rumorzmonger]

Nikon has to do something to stay ahead of the iPhone in the megapixel race...

[kubelik]

Based on Moore's Law

Moore's law does not apply to sensors.

well ... sorta.  Moore's law applies where it applies to something that it can properly be applied to, which in the case of sensors, is the pixel count.  it would mean that the maximum possible pixel count on a given sized sensor will double every two years.  whether or not camera companies choose to actually put that many pixels in a sensor is a different issue.

light sensitivity, however, has to do with the absolute properties of the materials actually being used to collect light in a sensor.  it's not something where pure quantity wins the day.  some of this has to do with the electronics of it, in terms of finding ways to manage the noise baseline through more efficient data channels and better cooling, but probably a lot more of it is materials science.  and, having worked in materials science, I can guarantee we don't double the efficiency of materials every two years.  if we did, we'd all be traveling around the country on a single gallon of gas, and perfectly insulating our houses with a sheet of paper.