Will there be a 7d2 at all?

[kaihp]

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.

I think you overestimate the marketing angle, and forget manufacturing. Fewer models means less Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) to produce, track and distribute; this is a major driver for having as few models as possible. To marketing, having more models usually means that they can supposedly serve more customers. And they love that.

As an (off-topic) example, the company I work for have 30.000 SKUs (we're a relatively small company). More than half of those sell/ship less than 1 every six months, so a lot of the inventory just sits there, wasting money and stock space. Unsurprisingly, there is a drive from Operations and financials to get rid of those 15.000 non-moving SKUs. But marketing wants to keep a lot of this in order to serve the fringe customers. At an overall cost to the company.

[DB]

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.

I politely beg to differ with everything that you've said here:

(1) No 7D2 unless FF, well it could be APS-C or APS-H, why make a 5D3 competitor so soon?

(2) The upcoming firmware 2.0 for the 7D could mean that Canon will retain the 7D1 alongside a new 7D2, just as they kept the 5D2 below the 5D3, (btw if you want n entry-level FF Canon it is now the 5D2)

(3) "The longer Canon waits..." I think just about everyone on this forum would disagree with that statement as everyone is complaining precisely how long Canon makes them wait for everything!1

(4) The $2000 price range will be taken 1st by Nikon - you are presuming that Canon will launch a 7D2 @ $2,000 and not say $2,500 (recent history has shown that Canon has surprised people with their pricing policy e.g. 24-70mm mkII and 5D3 as well as 24mm IS and 28mm IS to name but 4 very recent examples)

(5) So if a 7D2 is ever announced (there will likely be a 7D2 given the immense popularity of the original 7D), "it will be a FF camera" - great that you can be so positive in your conviction, but you simply do not know this, nor do any of us, which is why it is marvelous to speculate.

The original 7D was the first Canon camera designed effectively by Canon users (5,000 professionals responded to questionnaires, then Canon synthesized the results into what we know today as the 7D) who were asked what they would like to see in a crop camera. In other words, Canon specifically designed the 7D as an additional pro-level (mag alloy + weather sealing, high fps etc.) body that gave photographers some extra 'reach' - even look at the users on this forum, at how many of them have a 7D as a 2nd camera. The 1DX consolidates the 1D series, that leaves the 1D1V vulnerable to be discontinued, that opens a niche for a 7D2.

[unfocused]

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.

Pretty much agree, although given Canon's recent emphasis on ISO over pixels, I could see them keeping the sensor at 18-20 mp and improving the ISO performance slightly. We might see some improvement in weather sealing. I expect a touch-screen on the back but not necessarily a swivel-screen. Maybe live focus in movie mode, like the T4i (Gotta sell more of those new lenses).

Honestly, that's probably enough for me to upgrade as I'd like to have a second body anyway and I'm not at all interested in full frame.

[chasn]

No way a 7Dii.  An acquaintance works for Nikon and he opines ( not an official view but one I suspect reflects official thinking) that the future is mirrorless. He tells me a Canon mirrorless, high end is coming, and the future of the DSLR is pro only. If this is the Nikon view it must be the Canon view and you see Sony, Lumix etx already heavily in this boat.  Canon now have the 1DX, the 5 Diii and the 7D all targetted at very different markets all at very different price points. Arguably all the camera types required as things stand at the higher end.  I have a 7 D which has the reach, the fps, the off camera flash control, the EF-s lens compatibilty and while it may not be able to take pics in total blackness does OK at £900.  A lot of hobbyists concentrate on wildlife and sports so for a serious camera it is perfect - a 7Dii at £1500 I think not.  The 5Diii will be the wedding camera and the 1 DX the commercial pro camera.  Perfect market segmentation  .  FF entry I think not also - no hobbyist wants FF ahead of 7D unless they are serious enough to go 5Dii and that like me is as well rather than instead.  I am sure many on this forum will not agree but there is my twopennorth

[Marsu42]

No way a 7Dii.  An acquaintance works for Nikon and he opines ( not an official view but one I suspect reflects official thinking) that the future is mirrorless. He tells me a Canon mirrorless, high end is coming, and the future of the DSLR is pro only. If this is the Nikon view it must be the Canon view and you see Sony, Lumix etx already heavily in this boat. 

I just wrote the same thing in this thread: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=7207.0

Many people disagreed, but I have to say the future is so obvious because the only reason to keep the mirror around is the af systems, and once mirrorless af is competitive enough for joe sixpack it's bye bye traditional dslr. Only the pro bodies will keep the mirror for advanced af and because these people won't want to switch to an evf.

FF entry I think not also - no hobbyist wants FF ahead of 7D unless they are serious enough to go 5Dii and that like me is as well rather than instead.

You're correct if Canon will keep the 5d2 around - but I don't think so, or they wouldn't have named the 5d3 as it is. It would be extremely unusual to keep the older version of any tech product around for a longer time if the successor is there. And then the question is how Canon will fill the price gap between 7d and 5d3.

[AvTvM]

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.

+1 ... exactly!

[DB]

You're correct if Canon will keep the 5d2 around - but I don't think so, or they wouldn't have named the 5d3 as it is. It would be extremely unusual to keep the older version of any tech product around for a longer time if the successor is there. And then the question is how Canon will fill the price gap between 7d and 5d3.

...and that is quite some gap, about two grand or so

[briansquibb]

killer features? since when Canon has killer features

Think back to the 5DII ...

 

[wickidwombat]

22MP APS-H 61pt AF and 5Dmk3 body 8 to 10 fps $2500

[briansquibb]

22MP APS-H 61pt AF and 5Dmk3 body 8 to 10 fps $2500

Sounds good to me - may need a new name for it - 7DX?

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Cameras at this level are not like the Rebels where the target market is point and shoot users wanting a upgrade.  They do not issue frequent model upgrades that are basically tweaks to the firmware, but wait until there is something meaningful to add.  This usually means at least three years.
 
So far, Nikon has not released a D400 either, but both D400 and 7D MK II will likely arrive this summer.

[papa-razzi]

I've been very happy with my 7D. For me the only thing lacking is the IQ at higher ISO.  I don't need more Megapixels, FPS, newer AF system, etc.   I've been tempted to add a 5DII as a second body along with my 7D, but I've been focusing on building up my set of lenses first.  I am also waiting to see if there is an entry level FF that replaces the 5DII or if a 70D or 7DII comes along that solves my better IQ desire with one camera.  I expect to sit tight with my 7D for another year before making a move.

I would be disappointed if Canon jacked up the price of a 7DII like they did going from 5DII to 5DIII.
If they improved the sensor and threw in a few other improvements and kept the price close to what the current 7D came out at, I would strongly consider upgrading.

[Marine03]

I've been very happy with my 7D. For me the only thing lacking is the IQ at higher ISO.  I don't need more Megapixels, FPS, newer AF system, etc.   I've been tempted to add a 5DII as a second body along with my 7D, but I've been focusing on building up my set of lenses first.  I am also waiting to see if there is an entry level FF that replaces the 5DII or if a 70D or 7DII comes along that solves my better IQ desire with one camera.  I expect to sit tight with my 7D for another year before making a move.

I currently have a 450D but am in the same boat to a degree.... I think looking at pictures people post the 7D is capable of getting some amazing results and is light years ahead of my current body.  However do I get a refurbed Loyalty 7D for 1000 bucks or hope the 7D2 or 70D are with the upgrade for 1500 ish or go with a 5D2 that I know takes great pics but is slow IMO.  ( I day dream just thinking about 8FPS all day long)

[wickidwombat]

I've been very happy with my 7D. For me the only thing lacking is the IQ at higher ISO.  I don't need more Megapixels, FPS, newer AF system, etc.   I've been tempted to add a 5DII as a second body along with my 7D, but I've been focusing on building up my set of lenses first.  I am also waiting to see if there is an entry level FF that replaces the 5DII or if a 70D or 7DII comes along that solves my better IQ desire with one camera.  I expect to sit tight with my 7D for another year before making a move.

I currently have a 450D but am in the same boat to a degree.... I think looking at pictures people post the 7D is capable of getting some amazing results and is light years ahead of my current body.  However do I get a refurbed Loyalty 7D for 1000 bucks or hope the 7D2 or 70D are with the upgrade for 1500 ish or go with a 5D2 that I know takes great pics but is slow IMO.  ( I day dream just thinking about 8FPS all day long)

i am afraid there is precisely zero chance the 7D2 will be anywhere near $1500

[dilbert]

Missing option: there will be no 7D Mark II at all.