As an amateur/hobbyist/enthusiast, I'm disappointed with this rumor. I've been waiting, saving and hoping for a 70D to be announced that would fit my needs and fill the price gap between T4i and 7D.
If the rumor is true, then here's my best guess at what Canon is up to:
- Mirrorless takes the role of entry-level crop sensor body.
- Rebel becomes the new mid-level/enthusiast crop sensor body.
- 7D (and 7DII) remains the flagship crop sensor body with pro features and build quality.
If this is the case, I guess I either settle for the T4i (meh) or buy the 60D (3-years old!). The 7DI(I) is just too far beyond my tight budget.
All I really would like is a 60D with an improved sensor that will be relevant for another three years, particularly high-ISO noise performance. Faster, more advanced auto-focus would be a plus, especially if it could be fast in live view.
Okay...
I know the subject of the articulating screen has been beaten to death in this thread. Allow me to beat on it a little more, postmortem. For me, it's a must-have (the second reason, behind budget, that I'm not saving up for the 7D). Here's why:
I understand the reason a pro would be concerned about durability and weather sealing. That's probably why it's not in the 7D, 5DIII or 1DX. For someone who mostly takes pictures of kids and pets, however, it's indispensable. Getting down to their level is often the difference between a nice snapshot and a good photograph.
For those who think the shot must not be important if you're not willing to get dirty to take it, okay -- maybe in a literal sense, but it's often impractical. For someone like me, why would I want to get dirty (or wet, or snowy) all the time if I can just tilt the screen and hold the camera low? If I'm at a family wedding, I'd rather do that than lay down on the floor/ground/wet-beach-sand in my tux/suit to get a good photo.
When it comes to kids, they move around far too much for it to be practical to be constantly getting up and down to get a shot as they play or ride by on their bikes. This is where an articulating screen shines. I've enjoyed it on my A80, G12 and would like it on my next DSLR.
If WiFi is the solution, I'm having a hard time understanding how holding a smartphone or external screen in one hand and a camera in the other is anything but awkward and clumsy. I can just see it now:
A priceless moment is unexpectedly unfolding, and I want to get a low-angle shot. Quick! Get my smartphone, unlock it, choose the right app, turn on the camera, make sure it connects to the phone, choose the right camera settings, aim the phone toward my face with one hand and the camera toward my subject in the other, compose and take the picture....if have my phone close by...and charged...and no one calls during the shot...and I don't need my other hand to zoom...the moment hasn't passed...forever.
OR
Turn on the camera, choose my settings, flip/swivel the screen, compose and shoot.
Maybe I'm missing something...
Anyway, bummer. I was really hoping for a 70D. I guess I should have seen it coming: 50D loses some class and becomes 60D; T3i gains some whistles and bells to become the T4i, closer to 60D (and closer in price); 60D disappears and is replaced by T5i?
So what fills the price gap between the T4i and 7D? Does the xxxD series continue to get boosts in quality/features/price so that it shifts into that middle tier, and mirrorless covers the price slots below?
As a loyal Canon fan, I'm starting to feel like I'm dangling. Maybe if there were enough people like me to make enough of a market...
Alas, it's starting to look unlikely.