The return?
Received an email today discussing an upcoming Canon Pro2. It's been a long time since the pretty successful Pro1.
Specs
Fixed-lens
2.5x crop factor sensor (~13.8×10.4mm).
5x zoom (26-130mm)
f2.8-4 IS L lens
The form factor is similar to the Pro1
Articulated Screen
800×600 EVF.
CMOS made by Canon
High FPS
1080p video like that of the SX1-IS.
Such a camera would be a good seller I think.
cr
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130 Comments
have you ever used a Pro1 more than briefly? I own a Pro1, 40D with L glass and some small Canon compacts (A series). and I know exactly what each of these can produce, the biggest advantage of a larger sensor is high iso noise, when it is not a low light situation,… and the pro2’s sensor is 143mm2, Pro1 is 58mm2 (do you realize how much of a difference that is?!), a large sensor is good for image quality but at the cost of many other things, and if in the end most people most of the time leave the large sensor at home and take the small one with them, that means we ought to update the small one.
no there is a very big difference, pro1 thickness or profile is 90mm (lens retracted but all other protrusions included), GH1 body only thickness is 66mm, the 14-140 is 84mm of which 8mm will be shared with the grip so the thickness of the combo GH1+14-140= 66+84-8=142mm (same method of measurement, lens retracted but all other protrusions included). even the G1+14-45 combo at 117mm is much thicker than pro1.
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/CanonPro1/Images/allroundview.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2856341745_a44edb2843_o.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09030314panasonic14-140mmhd.asp
The most important question is, is Canon willing to start a third line of lenses for a new mirrorless system? If you think the answer is yes, then the door is open to anything including mirrorless FF. If you (like me) think the answer is no, then the choices are much limited and point to something along the lines of this Pro2 specs, especially the size determining specs of the sensor format, lens range and speed.
You talk about Canon making more lenses to sell as if they think that would be a bad thing, yet I’m sure their huge profit margins are coming in large part from the lenses.
Canon is doing what they always do; act like they have no reason to compete in other companies markets until they settle on their own design and they don’t say a word about it until launch. The 7D is a perfect example, keeping in mind that camera likely began it’s design/production process about two years ago, right about when the D300 came out.
I disagree with you in that I think Canon is in that design decision stage as to how to enter the EVIL market, and it’s only a matter of time before they do.
Also, you keep saying Canon will not create a whole new line of lenses, but put some context on that, all of these companies are launching new cameras lens systems with only two lenses, and they trickle out more each year to increase their sales and get old buyers to get the new lens out. So Canon doesn’t have to launch 15 lenses, just two along with an EF or EF-S adapter, and then build on it each year.
I didn’t buy the Pro 1. There is visible noise on everything over 100 ISO, and it vinettes at maximum aperture. I’d rather take my large sensor and big lenses out, which I’m about to do in 10 minutes.
“a large sensor is good for image quality but at the cost of many other things”
Like what? Oly and Panny have a larger sensor in cameras the size of the G11, and hey, if you really want to stick a Canon L lens on one, you can do that too. You keep saying there’s all these disadvantages to larger sensors but you don’t say what those are other that pointing to the bulk of a 40D. We’re not talking about 40D’s, we’re talking about EVIL cameras that are in the same size range with larger sensors and interchangable lenses.