Will there be a 7d2 at all?

[Marsu42]

With the release of the updated 7d firmware, the writing's on the wall - it's hardly probably that a 7d2 is just around the corner if the year-old model gets a free facelift. So what's your take on Canon's strategy for the mid-price range?

[moreorless]

My take would be that the 7D2 is probabley not going to see the light of day until next year and that Canon are updating the current model so it can remain more competitive with the 70D when its released.

[x-vision]

No 7DII at all (unless it's FF).

The upcoming firmware update is a clear sign that we won't see a 7DII at Photokina.
But the longer Canon waits for the 7DII, the less sense it makes to announce it in the first place.

The $2000 price range will be taken first by Nikon's D600.
Later, Canon will (very) reluctantly follow.

So, if a 7DII is ever announced, it will be a FF camera, not 1.6x.

[neuroanatomist]

It'll get a new AF system so the 19-pt system can go to the 70D. It'll get a higher MP sensor. Some might call those 'killer' but I call them incremental.

[moreorless]

The $2000 price range will be taken first by Nikon's D600.
Later, Canon will (very) reluctantly follow.

Do manifacturers need to limate themlseves to a single model in each price bracket?

I think its easy to see Canon selling a 7D mk2 with high level FPS, AF and build at a similar kind of price to a FF model with superior IQ but lesser specs in other areas.

[Marsu42]

Do manifacturers need to limate themlseves to a single model in each price bracket?

I've been asking myself the same question, and think: They don't "need" to, but releasing different camera bodies with nearly the same price tag doesn't seem clever marketing-wise because it will confuse customers, which then might go for something else completely. So I think Canon with its well-known marketing will try to avoid this if possible.

[moreorless]

Do manifacturers need to limate themlseves to a single model in each price bracket?

I've been asking myself the same question, and think: They don't "need" to, but releasing different camera bodies with nearly the same price tag doesn't seem clever marketing-wise because it will confuse customers, which then might go for something else completely. So I think Canon with its well-known marketing will try to avoid this if possible.

If we were talking entry level I'd agree but once you get up to the level of a potential 7D2 and a FF model at $1500 or more potentiasl buyers are likely to know what there after.

[poias]

With the release of the updated 7d firmware, the writing's on the wall - it's hardly probably that a 7d2 is just around the corner if the year-old model gets a free facelift. So what's your take on Canon's strategy for the mid-price range?

Until Canon improves its sensors, why even bother. 7D has awesome AF and does insane FPS. Now with the buffer upgrade, it is just top of the line Canon Crop.

So, there is nothing to upgrade.

[Albi86]

Do manifacturers need to limate themlseves to a single model in each price bracket?

They don't, but they do it anyway. Usually they prefer to stick their products in between the competitors' instead of  putting them in open concurrence.

As for the 7D2.... yes, I believe we won't see it this year. Canon will wait (not surprisingly) for Nikon to make its move, and then act in consequence. It's likely that we'll see a D600 and a D400 before Canon gives us anything big. At Photokina we will just see the 70D, I guess.

The good part might be that they understood that with this sensor technology they're not going anywhere, so they preferred to wait. But I fear it's the same mummers show with Nikon taking the initiative aggressively and Canon following after a while, releasing something just as good as to be competitive but at a ridiculously higher price.

[Marsu42]

If we were talking entry level I'd agree but once you get up to the level of a potential 7D2 and a FF model at $1500 or more potentiasl buyers are likely to know what there after.

I have to disagree, many people walking around with 7d bodies in Berlin are guys who use a kit lens and can hardly find the shutter button - but the camera salesmen talked them into getting something "good" while not getting the most expensive model (5d2, now 5d3). People who are likely to have a clue are 1d owners, but even there seem to be a couple of very well-off amateurs. This forum is biased towards people who are tech geeks.

[x-vision]

... will be aps-c with killer features at a significantly higher price

Ok, if given the choice, which of these two would you buy if both were priced at $2000:

• 7DII with an improved 18mp/1.6x sensor, 10 fps, 61-points AF
• 7DII with a 22mp FF sensor (same as the 5DIII), 5fp, 19-point AF system

[Marsu42]

Ok, if given the choice, which of these two would you buy if both were priced at $2000:

• 7DII with an improved 18mp/1.6x sensor, 10 fps, 61-points AF
• 7DII with a 22mp FF sensor (same as the 5DIII), 5fp, 19-point AF system

Interesting question, you should do a poll yourself on this. Personally, for what I shoot I'd like to have the ff version because of the better iq (lens-sensor combination) - that's why I hope Canon will release something like this to replace the 5d2. But I'm not on a big budget, I guess the rest of the world would either get a real 5d3 or want an updated crop 7d2 for tele action shots.

But I'd still like to see a salesmen with a customer in front of him explaining why Canon offers two $2000 bodies, and what the differences are...

[x-vision]

Interesting question, you should do a poll yourself on this.

Hehe. I will.

[simonxu11]

killer features? since when Canon has killer features

[Marsu42]

killer features? since when Canon has killer features

In enthusiasts' theory, with every new camera body :-) ... that's why I did this poll, as a reality check before and after. Even with the 650d, many people were convinced it had to have a iq/noise/mp sensor improvement after so many years, so let's see about the $2000 "killer aps-c" 7d2.