The writing has obviously been on the wall for a long time, but a Canon executive has confirmed that the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III will be Canon's last DSLR.
This information falls in line with 2022 potentially being the year of the Camera body as Canon modernizes its lineup. I also believe the EOS M lineup will suffer the same fate as Canon moves to one mount for all.
In an interview held by Yomiuri Shimbun (one of the five major newspapers in Japan) with Canon’s Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai, we can learn about Canon’s strategy regarding its Imaging System division. “It is natural that mirrorless cameras will become the mainstream of digital cameras… The market needs are acceleratingly shifting to mirrorless cameras. In line with this, we are steadily shifting manufacturing” Mitarai stated (Google translated). According to Mitarai, Canon will end the development and production of the flagship model of the digital SLR cameras a few years from now, stating “Canon’s SLR flagship model is known as the “EOS-1” series, the first of which appeared in 1989. The latest model EOS-1D X Mark III released in 2020 will be the last model in fact”. (via Ymcinema)
The Canon EOS R1 will be the next flagship camera from Canon, and I expect the development of the camera to be influenced heavily by EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3 professional photographers.
I can’t imagine many people being advised to buy new 6D II or 850D these days unless desperate storekeepers are needing to shift old stock, somehow selling them off to newbies.
I still think there is a market for a tiny compact interchangeable lens body I.E the M Series, M6 II M200, M50 II plus future upgrades. The RF mount is surely too big to accommodate that type of compact system! Or maybe not!
to plainly imply that it’s the last DSLR, not the last DSLR in the EOS-1 series, as he makes no specific mention of the EOS-1 series. Just the last model. Nothing smoke and mirrors here, it’s plainly stated.
“Canon’s SLR flagship model is known as the “EOS-1” series, the first of which appeared in 1989. The latest model EOS-1D X Mark III released in 2020 will be the last model in fact”.
Sales volume may dictate whether future R&D spending will continue.
EF mount will now be positioned as a budget product line until such a time that units sold arent economical to continue selling.
I really wish I never bought beyond the 3 fast L zooms.
While machine translations are great for getting a general idea, they are horrendous at accurate translation, context and subtlety. We can all speculate on the future of DSLRs, but don't read more into this than the most rudimentary concepts. My interpretation is that the 1Dx III is likely the last of the 1 series DSLRs. But beyond that, no definitive statements about the entire DSLR line, including Rebels. Personally I wouldn't be betting on future full frame DSLRs and expect a gradual phasing out of APS-C DSLRs. But, I wouldn't base that on this brief and flawed translation.
Canon are saying that the 1Dxiii will be the last "flagship" DSLR, they are NOT saying that it with be the "last DSLR"
You can bet your life that there'll be at least one more budget APS-C Rebel model, and it wouldn't surprise me if there was also an upgrade to the very popular 90D.
But don't expect a DSLR replacement for the 5DMkiv, or the 5DSR.
After acquiring my first mirrorless, I had little interest in using my DSLR. Perhaps many others feel the same way.
DSLRs are a bit heavy, a bit noisy, the sensors are outdated, they don't have IBIS, and they can't track subjects very well, but the AF on the 5DMkiv is lightning fast, and the optical viewfinder is a joy to use - instantly available and with zero lag. If my R5 suddenly disappeared, I'd be just as happy with the DSLR. It's also more than capable of handling "difficult" subjects like BIF, macro etc. I find it rather sad that MILCs have all but ousted DSLRs from the marketplace.