5D Mark III ? [CR1]

Canon Rumors
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Already?
I have been receiving email after email about a 5D Mark III being announced this summer.

Only a couple of people have cited the big rebates on the camera body.

Could Canon move to  a 2 year product cycle this time?

I say no, until I see something more concrete.

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89 Comments
  • Why not? They have had 18 month product updates before? Especially with something as popular as the mkII has been why not go ahead and upgrade with newer video features and better AF, etc. They have the momentum, keep it going. Oh, first.

  • To make it an even better seller? If all they did was replace the AF module with the one from the 7D, it would probably boost sales at very little cost.

  • Update it so it has that spring-opening memory card door like the 7D :)

    But a lot of people are using the 5D for video, so that dedicated start/stop video button would be good.

    And the AF as well. Not big enough that I would sell my 5DII for one, but little touches for the people ready to buy them now.

  • canon should capitalize on how incredibly successful the 5dmk2 has been and beat everyone by releasing an improved model, further solidifying their position as the kings of the hd-dslr

    also on behalf of alot of users on here..

    its embarrassing that you guys still put ‘first’.. or care

  • Surely they’d get the 1 series out the way first? Plus you’re not going to spend out on launching a new camera just for the sake of improving the focus and dedicated video button.
    If they do launch a new one it’ll have to have enough features to make 5dII owners want to upgrade.

  • But the folks who already own a Mark II tend to be the folks who upgrade a lot and/or suffer from gear lust the most. And if money is an issue, they could easily sell their used Mark II bodies to those of us who balk at any camera over two grand. Meanwhile, thousands of fence sitters will seize the opportunity to buy an unused Mark II if it’s price drops to $2k. The Mk II essentially becomes the “cheap” FF body with suboptimal video specs that some people desire, while those who have been complaining that the AF and video specs are weak will be satisfied with the expedited release of the Mk III. Everybody wins, especially Canon.

  • On behalf of me, I don’t care about the “first” posts, I care more about faulty “Shift” keys. It is not just Canon who “should capitalize”.

  • I don’t see it happening soon unless a D700x release is imminent (i.e. basically a D3x with the grip removed – with all the bells and whistles – 51 pt AF, 24 mpx, etc…).

  • The 5DMk3 when it comes out will be a lot more than just minor tweaks. Some of the lessons learnt and the demand from the film industry will see massive improvement making video a prime rather than a side feature, so expect something like improvement on focussing, jello effect and quite possibly RAW video

  • I recalled the original 5D body can be had for about $1700CDN in December 2007 after some lens combo rebate, then the price went back up. That was 10 months before 5D2 was announced.
    5D2 will be replaced eventually, but I would be very surprised given there is no real competition out there – FF camera with video capabilities at that price point.
    Unless Canon find a way to manufacture 5D3 a lot cheaper (shrinking lots of chips into one ASIC for example), I don’t see it happening.

  • You under estimate the number of people who will upgrade for more accurate outer AF points – many who have not even upgraded from the Mk I for this very reason.

  • We also heard about a 5D Mark III, but we don’t think it will see the light this year.

    We agree with some previous comments: “when” 5D3 appears on the field, it won’t be a “minor update”, it will carry several changes/improvements.

    Most of them will be what people have been requesting since so long for the 5D2 (for stills & movie). Although we still wonder if Bracketing mode will allow more than 3 frames… (hard to believe on a current $2,500 body-only DSLR)

    Of course, Canon won’t give users “everything”… (that’s nothing new to the world of business, but anyway thumbs up to Canon that listened to 5D Mark II customers more than once, and that’s really great)

    Talking about 5D2, for those who want to see what it looks like inside, check:

    “Modding 5D Mark II – PL Mount – Part #2”:

    http://5dmark2.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/modding-5d-mark-ii-pl-mount-2/

    Warning: NOT good for weak stomachs ;)

  • Why do CR dorks like Bob constantly correct people about capitalization and grammar. Who cares? Why don’t you worry about trying to understand the content of what people are saying. Many people are responding on their mobile phones, etc. Welcome to the modern world; embrace it.

  • oh and by the way your all fools. its capitalisation. come live in australia and learn to spell and pronounce properly.

    oh and btw….

    FIRST

    oh yes and in australia we can take a joke too.

  • Agree. If everything stays the same except for AF performance and AF system (insert 7D like system) I’ll be upgrading day one. Maybe the new 3:2 screen and I’m totally sold.

  • I could see 4 new cameras in this order of release:

    1Ds4 mother ship (no more low pass filter), medium format killer

    100D – Nikon d90 competitor, natural 50D segment replacement

    3D – video killed the photographer star

    5D3 – 7D features loaded into a 5D2

  • I own a 5d MK II, and I’d buy a 5D III with no problem. However, I do not expect to see it for at least another year.

    Sales and rebates do not necessarily mean a model is being discontinued, discounts are commonly used in order to meet quartly or annual sales goals.

  • normaly id say a 2 year cycle for this camera isnt right however the 5d2 could do with a upgrade in video capability’s and put in the new 7d features.

  • “We also heard about a 5D Mark III, but we don’t think it will see the light this year.”

    Why do you say that ?

  • And a really hilarious joke at that. You should look into a career in comedy if you haven’t done so already!!

  • 100% agree regarding rebates. Discounts are periodically offered on camera and lenses (at least once a year)

    Besides the rebate on 5D Mark II cameras is small and ALSO applies to other models such as EOS 7D, T2i/550D, etc.

    The $400-500 rebate is only offered if you buy a Canon PIXMA Photo Printer with the 5D Mark II (it must appear in the same invoice). That ends on June 27th.

  • Digic V…

    But I agree that given the lack of competition, we will probably have to wait a bit longer.

  • Ok, I’ll bite…if they did that (just replace the AF) I would go straight out and buy one. It would be kind of like a 5DmkIIn or something. Everything else about that camera is perfect for me. I don’t want/need more MP on the sensor, and while the 5DmkIII will probably have better AF and lots of other amazing features, I’m afraid that they will add more MP. As proof I offer up exhibit A: 7D.

    All that being said, I really doubt they will replace it so soon. My basis for thinking this is that if they did, it would be my perfect camera, and no one has ever made my perfect camera that I could afford, so that alone means it won’t happen ;)

    Seriously though, it just doesn’t seem like what Canon would do considering recent history. Ahhh….but I can dream :)

  • So apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t know what this “first” thing is…anyone care to explain?

  • ha ha ha mick. maybe it should be you thinking about that comedy career after that funny!

  • right there with you. I have not purchased one just because of the junk AF which they have had since the 20D and 5D days. I still don’t understand why they didn’t upgrade it on the 5DmkII. They could have even put in the 50D AF and it would have been better.

  • i don’t get your comment mick. i wasn’t being sarcastic or anything. that would be a reasonable and logical outcome for say the next year of canon bodies.

  • This rumor talk sure is funny.

    Since the beginning of the idea, that a 5d3 might be coming, people have been brabbling, talking and arguing about the slightest possibility of that matter coming true.

    What happened?

    Nothing!

    I must say, that keeping up the hype is fun and I admit, that I keep Canonrumors.com as an RSS Feed in my mailbox.

    But when I saw another post by the admin talking about the possiblity of a 5d3 coming (CR1 – mustve been CR1 for a decade by now!), I had to laugh out loud.

    Now I found just peace in saying.
    When it comes, it will come. And there is no use in
    predicting, thinking, waiting and hoping or analyzing.
    Just bring the patience.

    If you are thinking about buying the 5d2 or waiting for the newgen, then stop relying on rumors. Just go with your guts. I mean, you have enough “rumors” to go with. Right?

    A rumor, that is new is something different than a shoutout that more and more turns into a cassandra like myst.

    =)

    Sorry, just had to let it go.
    CR1 ?!?! I mean 1 ?!?! Come one!

  • Blake,

    In a comment ridiculing grammar, it surprised me that you don’t seem to know the difference between your and you’re. But if you are Australian I suppose it explains the difficulties. G’day mate!

    With regards the 5D MkIII, I’d bet they have one made already, but with the world economy as it is Canon/Nikon will have to be pushed into releasing anything, thank go out to Sony!

  • “Why don’t you worry about trying to understand the content of what people are saying.”

    If a poster cannot be bothered to write a clear and legible comment, why should anyone be bothered to read it? Why do you feel it is the readers’ responsibility to “worry about trying to understand the content”?

    There is one writer and there are many readers. There would be much less worrying going on in the world if that one writer did the worrying up front. The readers would appreciate it.

  • Even if the 1Ds MkIV has no AA filter, it can’t compete with digital MF, when you get to these qualities then sensor real estate is everything. It will offer higher image quality than the current 1Ds MkIII, and, easier use than current MF digitals at a substantially lower system price.

    The interesting thing will be when they eventually drop the stupid 1.3 crop 1D line, when that is FF then we will see who really wants 30+ MP in a 135 format sensor size. I’d take 10fps @ 21mp over 5fps @ 32mp almost any day.

  • for what it is worth I wanted to buy a 5D MKII yesterday and both jessops and Jacobs (2 main photographic chains in the UK) had no stock availability of a body only. warehouseexpress told me it would be 28 days due to the supply backlog due to the volcano business (yeah right, pull the other one).

    so that is a couple of reliable shops I have used in the past who don’t have stock. the sales guy in Jacobs told me to hang on a bit to see what is coming if I don’t need the new body urgently. coincidence? maybe

  • i think by the end of the year you will see a dedicated video camera with a 5d or 7d type sensor and an eos mount – something like the XH-A1 but with the large chip and interchangeable lenses. This would kill the panasonic and sony cams coming and put the Red Scarlett in it’s grave before it is born. I expect to see this before I see a 5DMKIII though I would love to see a 5D2n with the AF from the 7D (even better maybe) and twin digics so it could handle all video rates with ease…

  • The point is your comments add no value to this message board. You either make comments agreeing with people or picking on their grammar. Either say something meaningful or don’t post.

  • I’ve never met anyone named Lars who had even half a brain. You’re proof. So quick to call everyone an ‘idiot’ or ‘moron’. Look in the mirror.

  • all the reps in the canon stores are adamant about there being no upgrade to the 5Dmkii until next year. but i guess they’d say that so they could sell all the old stock.
    from your collective experience have you found that to be true or do they ever let the cat out of the bag earlier? or do they even know for sure when the new models are coming out?
    also if i held off on buying a mk ii and bought a mk i or a 1ds i or ii (to keep prices down) would i only be losing out on the amazing low light functions of the mk ii (and the less important for my needs HD functions). or is it such a huge upgrade that there’s no point in anything else?
    i’m keen to get a FF and all roads are leading to the mk ii at the moment.
    cheers,
    bigears

  • hmm i once worked in an apple store.
    and we were strictly ordered to be honest.
    that includes telling the customers if we know
    something that something might be imminent
    based on actual facts, then we have to tell them.
    fact is also, that even we didnt know when the new products might come out.

    right now, there are no actual facts or proof that
    something new might come. so, despite all the heating rumors etc. i guess canon reps are not obliged to tell you that.

    so its always a guess and bet game. you never know for sure.

    as to the update, i am waiting.
    if you have a working camera at hand right now,
    be patient and use the one you already have.
    i know being patient is hard but i think in this case
    you might be really rewarded for your patience.

    a 5d mark III ? cant wait to see that! =)

  • I understand that, my question is why you don’t think it will be released this year ?

  • The missing features from the 5D2 are:
    – newer autofocus (7D)
    – tilt sensors (7D)
    – more video modes (7D/1D4/550D)
    – 3:2 screen (550D)

    autofocus: plenty of pixel peepers worry about it being bad but getting focus right and not ending up with a blurry image is more about your method and environment than it is the autofocus sensor. Plus you’ve now also got the “live view” autofocus method.

    tiltsensor: addons to the camera that perform this function start at around $40 and go up from there. Even with a small tilt on a picture (3 degrees), you can lose a lot of megapixels from your image. Everyone who takes photos has to worry about getting a flat horizon.

    video: this camera has been like a bomb going off in various parts of the tv and movie industry where people are finding that they have a tool available to them that gives them shallow depth of field. What’s missing here is 1920x1080x60 and higher video resolution modes. Possibly higher bit rates too. Last but not least, ROLLING shutter (jello).

    3×2 screen: of all of the above things the 5D2 does not have, this is the least important.

    Question is, what of the above missing features is now really holding back 5D2 sales? Or has it penetrated 90% of its intended market and thus the remaining 10% will take longer?

    If we think about the next 18 months, Nikon’s successor to the D700 is said to be around March next year and then 6 months later, we should all expect a 5D3 that will trump the D700. The only reason I’d see for an earlier 5D3 would be if were to be in some way weaker than the D700.

  • Thanks Moses. If larshalfbrain had taken a moment he would have noticed that mclusky and steakhachai hit send just a few seconds before i did.

    Like tnphotography said, just upgrading the AF would make me buy. I love the focus on my 7D.

  • “autofocus: plenty of pixel peepers worry about it being bad but getting focus right and not ending up with a blurry image is more about your method and environment than it is the autofocus sensor. Plus you’ve now also got the “live view” autofocus method.”

    You must be joking, right? Have you ever tried to use the outer focusing points in a low light event, with subjects that are more mobile than potted plants? The 5DII has a great sensor for low light work. It has an archaic autofocus system. The center point is great. The rest are not reliable. You don’t need to “pixel peep” to see when the camera didn’t focus accurately. I own a 5DII. I also own a D700, which is the camera Canon needs to match and/or exceed. It’s a better tool for event/wedding/concert photography where you need good AF and high iso.

    If Canon improves the AF in the 5DII replacement – we need this WAY more than we need more megapixels – I’ll buy two.

    The 7D counters the D300s, roughly same price.

    The 1DsIII (soon IV) counters the D3x, roughly same price.

    The 1DIV is in the same price ballpark as the D3s, but they’re not really equivalents. Canon lacks the “full frame sports camera” that even Canon advocate Al Bello, Getty’s chief photographer at the Vancouver Olympic games, says is needed.

    Canon has NOTHING to compete with the D700: full frame, high iso, serious AF suitable for a wide range of photographic pursuits. Nikon has nothing directly comparable to the 5DII, but they’ve hinted that their next iteration will up the resolution. Once Nikon closes the megapixel gap, event photographers will have little reason to put up with the funky AF of the 5DII a moment longer.

    I’m looking at this from the point of view of stills. Video’s another kettle of fish.

  • thanks nath.
    yeh i think you are a bit harsh mick. maybe your having a bad day? or maybe your just a grumpy person?

    its a discussion board and i would like to think i can discuss how i life.

    unfortunately there are too many intolerant people like you in this world. basically you love to hate. why do you think we have issues in the middle east, in africa and throughout the rest of the world. australia even has a huge tolerance issue.

    come on mick. where is the love? all i want you to do is say sorry and tell me that you love me as a fellow canon follower.

  • the “first” thing is when people see a rumour and try and be the first person to comment on the page writing “first”. some people will write it say 10 or 20 posts in and then people like “grumpy mick” who have nothing better to do then abuse people online, come along and they say “la la la. you can’t do that. don’t do that. its not fair. its not funny”

    basically they are party poopers.

    then you get others like myself. you will see them type “first” all over this website.

    THEY KNOW THEY ARN”T FIRST GRUMPY MICK YOU IDIOT!

    but its kinda funny to piss people like grumpy mick off :)

    so mr. tnphotography. if a new rumour comes up and you get the feeling that someone like Grumpy Mick is hanging around to blow his horn….. please for my sake, your sake and everyones sake …. type “FIRST” and press “ADD COMMENT”

  • Right :)

    But the reason is: There is no reason to release a “replacement” for the 5D Mark II yet even if Canon had the technology and product ready to sale.

    5D Mark II is a very competitive camera, the major weakness is on the photography field, specially regarding the AF system that cannot be compared to other models.

    Other than that, the camera has no competition for that price level (not to mention the movie features that still have no competition at all)

    This kind of cameras were originally designed for a 3-5 years life cycle. We already told long ago that this was going to get shorter, and still think that, but 2 years is “too” short for a $2,700-2,500 body-only that is still selling very well.

    So far this is the only Full Frame camera with 21MP of resolution, with Full HD movie capabilities, and all for $2,500 (if you take advantage of the Rebate offer).

    Canon got an unexpected big profit from this camera, mainly thanks to its movie capabilities, and won’t leave it just as easy without any real business reason. It’s an already designed and in production model. Why to replace it if there is no reason?

    1Ds Mark IV will be released, but that plays on other level. And probably a lower cost HDSLR will be released too.

  • HEY AREN’T YOU ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE ANGRY!!!! Just kidding, you make a good point here. I agree in thinking that Canon would be smart to wait for the D800 before releasing 5dmkIII since the mkII is still selling well.

  • I think you’re mistaking the desire for better sensitivity with autofocus with replacing the 5D2’s autofocus system with that in the 7D.

    Fixing issues with the 5D2;s autofocus should not require replacing it with what’s found in the 7D.

  • +0.9 (Marks deducted for incorrect use of the Shift key ;)

    It is even more hilarious if you feign haste by deliberately mistyping it as “frist”.

    Grumpy Mick should just embrace it; it’s the way of the modern world.

  • hahahahahah well said bob. or should i say Bob. next time i will be screaming “FRIST FRIST!”

    haha

  • “Why to replace it if there is no reason”

    You do not wait until the competition catches up, you stay ahead by releasing an update before the competition match your previous effort . . . . .

  • Yes, I’m angry and mean all the time. I’m also personally responsible for the oil spill in the Gulf and other world atrocities! :-)

  • You can but a sony NEX 5 today – The sensor is larger than in Canon 7D. It can take sony, canon, and Nikon lens´. Sony has also announced NEX 7 wich can take same lens´ and it records full HD with progressive scan.

  • Hmmmmm, I think it could be possible for Canon to kick RED EPIC out of the DSLR market while they are down already from faulty firmware problems. The best thing that Canon can do is make the mrk III shoot RAW video, boost the MP just a bit to stay ahead in the market, improve the AF, and reduce the noise seen in ISO’s above 1000. If they introduce it this Summer and have it available by next Spring, their stocks would go up drastically over the winter without even releasing a camera.

  • RAW on the Mrk III would shove the RED EPIC out of the market. I can just see Canon do that just for the hell of it. Now if they could just incorporate Nikon’s idea of having 2 CF card slots like on the D3X, that would be even more better

  • Lack of competition? Have you been doing any research of the RED digital cinema cameras? RED is coming out with a Full Frame DSLR that shoots RAW video. It was supposed to come out this year but some faulty firmware problem pushed the release date back. The Mrk II owns a lot of the indi short film/Youtube market. And Canon will own even more of the market and added professional market if they provide a full frame that shoots RAW video. Digic V would be awesome.

  • Not everybody wins, especially those looking for a GOOD FF camera. The 5D MK II is severely flawed, and at the rate, Canon is going with their sub-par improvements to camera bodies, the 5D MKIII won’t be much better…

  • If you’ve been following Canon’s track record in the DSLR realm, you know very well that they’re motto is “Why to replace it if there is no reason”. They were two steps ahead of Nikon during the 1D/ Ds MK II days, and now they are one – two steps BEHIND them when it comes to stills. Guess what’s going to happen in about 3-5 months, after the release of Nikon’s 1080 HD capability FF cameras? They are going to be 3 steps behind. If only Canon would listen to reasoning like Lee’s…

  • I could see 4 new cameras in this order of release:
    Son of Pedantic (Not) has the most sensible reply on this whole topic.

    Justin-
    “1Ds4 mother ship (no more low pass filter), medium format killer”
    Have you ever used a 50mp Digial MF back with a 1/500- 1/800 flash sync? If so, you would never say such an absurd statement. As SOPN stated, a chip that is 2/ 1/2 times the size will produce images no FF DSLR can ever compete with, no matter how many pixels are squeezed onto it…

    “3D – video killed the photographer star” You must not know much about the quality difference of a still grab from even the best RAW video, and a camera like mentioned above…
    Sorry.

  • I’m sure Canon is, since the D700x/s/800 will be released within a few months. Too bad when it’s released (with 1080 video) it will blow away anything Canon has on hold to release (5D MKIII, . The only saving grace Canon has is a ready to be released mythical FF, 18- 21 MP, 8fps, 50k ISO, 1080HD 3D model. Anything less and it will be time to call it a day for Canon, and bow to the new supreme camera manufacturer- Nikon…

  • Florian ave been well thought out, but overall they work as a team making thesegs internally. thin says:

    Reading what some of you have said, I would not be suprised that someone woke up in Canon Brass and is pushing them to update at a faster cycle to “own” this market.

    having shot video for over 25 yrs proffesionally, I think Canon knows well enough that Sony can wipe their face out in this market along with PAnasonic. Both have deep history creating a strong tiered Video product line. They do know how to make Video cameras from front to back suh that they are ergnomic, etc. That does not mean all h

  • That rumored Nikon FF with 1080p HD capabilities has long been awaited by many in the Nikon Camp. If Nikon does not announce one by August, one will most likely see even more Nikon users visiting this site to read about the rumored 5D Mk II enhancement or replacement.

  • I would need a 5D mkII with the autofocus system of the 7D or something like that. I don’t care the name.

    If nothing like this comes in 7 months, I sell all my Canon and go for a Nikon D700 (or it’s successor).

  • 2-3 months- D700 rpelacement announcement. Guaranteeed. Nikon didn’t blow Canon out of the water in the stills dept of high end DLSR’s the past two years by sitting on their ass, like Canon has been doing. They’re out for blood, and the next wave of Nikon camera releases will solidify their superiority over Canon in all aspects of high-end DSLR’s. Sorry to all you Canon diehards (I was one too), but it will take something short of a miracle camera being released by Canon to compete with what Nikon has up their sleeves in the next few months, and I just don’t see it happening…

  • The 5D II won’t be replaced untill after the D700 is replaced. The 5D is selling better, and I think that Canon are comfortable with the current situation. In terms of sales they “won” this generation in this particular segment.

  • Following on from a prolonged discussion that’s been going on at nikonrumors–

    One very good reason for Canon to upgrade the 5D MkII would be that all of the Nikon people who have been fence sitting about switching as they wait, and wait, and wait for Nikon to announce a high-res FX that is not a grossly overpriced boat anchor would give up and switch. I certainly would.

  • Maybe, or maybe not.

    It’s not that simple…

    It’s not only technology what is being handled (or held) here…

    We agree that Nikon is going to release a very good camera soon, but not so sure if they will give much more than current Canon HDSLRs regarding movie/video features.

    Of course Canon is behind Nikon regarding stills (basically due AF system), and we already mentioned that.

    Nikon has been extremely quiet, much more than usual, so we strongly think they are working hard to come with something really good.

    Canon is probably holding the 1Ds Mark IV until Nikon starts showing, or at least the most they (Canon) can.

    Business, Marketing and Developing is not as simple as we think, sometimes there’s a “fight” inside the own company. Canon got a very good profit from their unexpected success, hopefully they will not sleep upon it.

    Canon and Nikon, both have their strong & weak points.

    Both are japanese, both are quiet.

    At least Canon (sometimes) listen to customers (not easy to make them hear indeed, but they do.

    If any doubt just check the full history of the 5D Mark II process on our blog: http://5dmark2.wordpress.com and you will see some of the “public” actions…

  • Hi Geek-Trend. If thats so just give ud the Nikon D800. I will piuck up the next full frame from Canon or Nikon. I don´t need big update. 50fps video of 7D´ focus system and I am in.

  • What chance of a Canon full frame with built in flash? Is it sacrilegous to hope for this? Am I the only person who can find big body/lens/flash rigs OTT or intrusive at times?

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