Interesting thought
A split in the 5D line has been rumoured for a while now. This rumor was not submitted to me, instead it was sent to [NL]. It’s consistent with some things I have heard, however take this one with a large grain of salt.

5D X

• 45MP (With a pixel size similar to the power shot G1X)
• 61 points AF (Similar to the 1DX but simpler)
• 3.4 fps, 100-6400 (50-12800)
• 1 Digic 5+ Digic 4

5D Mark III

• 22MP
• 61 points AF (Similar to the 1DX but simpler)
• 6.9 fps, ISO 100-25600(50-51200)
• 1 Digic 5+ Digic 4
• Best HD video quality of any EOS camera

Both over $3k

Source: [NL]

cr

Lenses
I’ve heard that Canon will be introducing a lot of new lenses this year. Quite possibly a record amount of new lenses announced in a single calendar year. For the moment, it’s unknown whether the lens count will include any mirrorless camera lenses, or if we’re talking EF lenses.

I will say, Canon may be updating lenses to help resolve a coming huge megapixel camera. We’ve heard previously a lot of short focal length lenses are on the update schedule, and we just saw 2 primes and a zoom announced.

Keep watching patents for clues. The EF 24 f/2.8 seemed like an odd duck, yet here it is. I almost expect  an  EF 50 f/1.2L II, no IS on that one though.

Camera Bodies
Lots of speculation about the end of the month for a new camera body. However, there is nothing concrete and I’ve been told that things are going “back and forth” in regards to an announcement.

I will say I have heard there will be a very high megapixel camera some time in 2012, possibly in the 40mp range and it won’t be the “5D Mark III”.

The next announcement should be for an EOS body or two.

cr

5D X / 5D Mark III
The last week has been insane for rumors. I have had more than 150 “tips” sent in and going through them all has been lots of fun. The variance in information is wider than I’ve ever seen it previously.

More stuff
Below is a spec list I received last week. It goes along with various other sources in regards to release date and specs.

• 5D X
• 22 mp
• 61pt AF with DIGIC 4
• 6.9 FPS
• DIGIC 5 (Doesn’t say DIGIC 5+)
• Announcement February 28
• + with 3 lens
• Available April $2700

With Nikon announcing on February 7, 2012, and most thinking it’ll be the D800. I expect some kind of a camera to be announced by Canon within a month. If they can get these things shipping by April, a lot of wedding photographers will be happy.

We’ve seen one report about an October ship date for the 5D Mark III. If it’s not the 5DX/Mark III coming in the next month or so, then something else will be.

cr

*UPDATE*
Invites have gone out to Canon Platinum CPS members to prioritize purchases of the new EOS-1D X. This is most likely the CPS event we’ve been told about.

For the launch of the Canon EOS-1D X, Canon would like to offer priority purchase for CPS Platinum members, as our most valued customers, we want to ensure we continue to add value to the CPS program where we can.

Not on February 7 [CR3]
There will not be a 5D Mark III or similar announced on February 7, 2012.  It is suggested the “embargo” lift on the 7th may be for samples from the EOS-1D X.

Lenses [CR2]
Another 24-70 f/2.8L II mention came my way. It will be announced with a DSLR.

More to come.

cr

*UPDATE 2*
Another source highly doubts February 7, 2012 is the date for an announcement. All the little bits of information that are leaking say it’s close, but it may not be that close. Please do not treat February 7, 2012 as fact until I can [CR3] it.

*UPDATE*
Another source says it’s odd that Canon & Nikon would announce on the same day.  I have yet to see an actual invite to a press event for February 7, 2012. Good people are saying it’s coming that day, my gut is telling me otherwise. I do think the camera will be announced well before the 1D X ships.

More mentions
A few more people have mentioned February 7, 2012 as the announcement date for the 5D Mark III. The sources are good, though I am waiting for the definitive word on the matter.

It’s mentioned that Canon will also announce new PowerShot cameras, a new Legria camcorder and Selphy printer(s).

Kevin Wang, based in Taiwan, posted on his Facebook wall that he will be an official photographer for the 5D Mark III. (thanks Hansen)

5D Mark III Specs
If I put together everything I have heard, these are the specs of the 5D Mark III.

• 22mp
• 61pt AF
• 7.5fps (this I’ve only seen once)
• DIGIC 5+
• New Battery Grip with Joystick
• GPS Ready

No lenses were mentioned for the announcement date of the 5D Mark III. However, a solid source that reported the 24-70 f/2.8L II and 35 f/1.4L II a month or so ago, says both lenses will be shipping sometime in April. Lenses have always been the toughest to nail down.

cr

From Aquatech
On the Aquatech Facebook page, they have said the 5D Mark III will be 22mp and shoot at 7.5fps. They say it’s “directly from Canon”.

A few issues I have with this.

• Housing companies are notorious for “leaking” information for traffic, which I just did.
• Any old staff member may have updated the Aquatech status.
• NDAs exist with third party manufacturers.

It could be legit. I’ve heard 21-22mp a lot. The frames per second is a new one.

thanks Zac

cr

Follow-up form Stephen Oachs
Mr. Oachs has posted a followup post to yesterday’s images of the new 200-400 and an unidentified camera. He’s also posted a RAW for those that believe the image was altered in any way.

Read it here

22mp perfect for 3×3 oversampling?
Below is a direct quote about the reported 22mp resolution

I have no insider information, but just wanted to point that 22 MP has some “magical” properties for HD video, as it corresponds exactly to a 3×3 oversampling of the final video resolution. (22 MP, minus crop for 16:9 ratio, divided by 9, equal 1080×1920)

The next “magical” resolution (4×4 oversamping) is at 39 MP.

CPS Event in Yokohama?
I’m told there is a CPS event in Yokohama, Japan at CP+. Those usually lead to some kind of announcement.

cr

When is the next announcement?
After piecing together a different emails I have received the last few days. There is a common date of February 7, 2012 for an NDA/embargo lift. So that means all the testers can start talking and things are usually announced.

Nikon is apparently announcing on February 7, 2012. This comes two days before the CP+ show opens in Yokohama, Japan. A suspected D800 and 5D Mark III (or similar) on the same day?

Specs
Another mention of 22mp resolution came in, as well as a “pro level” autofocus system. That bit of info comes from a known source.,

It has been a crazy day, and I’m sure more is on the way.

cr

5D Mark III, 7D Mark II or neither?
The camera that popped up today has brought about a lot of questions of what it might be. I’ve seen speculation from a few places that perhaps the camera is a replacement for both the 7D and 5D Mark II.  The camera definitely looks to be full frame, however there is a lot of the “sporty” features of the 7D.

The Leak
The pictures taken for this leak are pretty extraordinary compared to the stuff we’ve seen in the past. I’ve been asked if there has been a change in the way Canon is treating viral marketing, and I have no answer for that right now.

It is interesting that Nikon “leaked’ their D800 a little while ago, and the perceived direct competitor from Canon also leaks.

More to come I’m sure.

cr

UPDATE
Others are thinking that this could be a 7D Mark II. Which is possible, however the missing popup flash and larger prism would say otherwise. There’s no precedent, however if they change sensor size in a 7D replacement, they probably wouldn’t call it “Mark II”. Lots more will follow I imagine.

This photograph was snapped in Kenya this week. It appears to be a new full frame camera body.

Noted Features

• No popup flash
• Joystick on the battery grip
• Screen appears wider (although it could be distortion)
• New button layouts
• New Scroll wheel

5D Mark III Spotted in the Wild? Click for larger

Canon 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4 in the wild

Canon 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x & 1D X in the Wild - Click for Larger

Source and more photos: [AA]

cr

Less is more?
The new Canon mantra? A long while ago, we had heard the next version of the 5D Mark III would sport a 30+ megapixel file. We’ve heard recently that the Nikon D800 would be announced with a 36mp sensor.

The latest I’ve heard about the 5D Mark III’s sensor, and it comes from multiple places. Is we’re going to see it remain in the neighbourhood of 21mp. I’ve been told both 21mp or 22mp from various people.

Announcement?
The most consistent mention is March for an announcement. I think they’ll announce a 5D mark III type camera after the February 7, 2012  announcement of the Nikon D800.

4K EOS Camera
The announced development of a 4K Canon EOS DSLR could make some specs that come out hard to decipher. I believe a high megapixel EOS body is coming. The question is whether it would be the 5D3 or the new 4K DSLR.

5D Mark II at B&H for $2169

cr

Minimal Specs
Two communications came in tonight about 5D Mark III sightings in an Asian nation. One mentioned the 5D Mark III getting GPS related certification, no mention of what that certification was called. It was also said the camera doesn’t have a high number of autofocus points compared to the 7D or 1D series bodies.

The second communication talked about a prototype having eye control autofocus. This sort of rumour hasn’t appeared for a long time, but lots of people have fond memories of the eye controlled AF of the EOS-3. There was also a mention of the camera being capable of 5fps.

Summary of 5D Mark III features mentioned today.

• GPS Enabled
• Less than 19 AF points
• Eye control autofocus
• 5fps

cr

Some new mentions
The “EOS 3D” project is apparently alive and well at Canon. The camera’s introduction will depend on the success of the 1D X, 5D3 from Canon & the D800 and D4 from Nikon. We haven’t heard anything about a “3D” in a long time.

5D Mark III
A mention that the 5D Mark III will not be a crazy high megapixel camera.

This week & CES
I expect some news about new products in 2012 this week. Canon won’t be going to CES/PMA empty handed I wouldn’t think, especially not with an imminent D4 announcement. However, I’ve seen no invites yet for a media event from Canon.

Stay tuned.

Source: [NL]

cr

5D Mark III Announcement
Barring another manufacturing problem in Asia, count on the 5D Mark III being announced around the end of March or early April 2012.

Availability will probably happen before the summer begins in 2012. No specs were given at this time. This is a very solid [CR2]

The NAB show is April 14-19 in Las Vegas.

cr