7D2 theory

[Tugela]

I was reading this thread on DPReview today (http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54525945) and noticed that some had observed that the person doing the video review repeatedly referred to the 7D2 as having a 24 Mpixel sensor, and that got me thinking. If you all recall from the numerous rumours leading up to the 7D2, there were two sensors being talked about, a 20 Mpixel one and a 24 Mpixel one. So, the idea occurred to me that there were two development cameras, one using a modified 70D sensor to test the other components and design of the body, and a second camera with a more advanced 24 MPixel sensor that was supposed to go into the final body. And then perhaps during testing it became clear the more advanced 24 Mpixel sensor was not quite ready for prime time yet - maybe there were issues in read speed/timing, that sort of thing. since the 7D2 was already way behind schedule, Canon may have decided to go with the prototype using the 70D sensor instead so they could get it out of the door.

If that is the case then the 7D2 we got is not the camera Canon originally intended, but it became the final product so that it could be moved out the door and Canon could move on, even though it arrived already essentially obsolete.

So maybe there might be a 7D3 in the not too distant future if they can get the 24 Mpixel sensor to play nice.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

It is possible that there were two prototypes 7D Mark II, with 20 and another with 24 megapixel. However, Canon would not give for someone to do a review, a camera that was not properly tested to be produced on a large scale.

 

[Loswr]

Maybe the reviewers have simply tested too many Nikon APS-C bodies recently...

 

[Tugela]

Don't forget that rumours of the 7D2 were around for quite some time, so something was going on.

In that scenario they would have originally tested with a modified 70D sensor to evaluate the body and other systems in the camera, and then later with the more advanced sensor included in the camera. If they then started seeing issues in use with testers, then the second version would have been ganked and the first version became the final product.

Or, it might simply have been a problem with making the second sensor in quantity so it was not practical as a product. Then they would have reverted to the camera version with the old sensor.

 

[Tugela]

I don't see why Canon would release a camera model that is going to have at least a three-year shelf life, and not use the latest technology. Canon delayed the 1D X quite a considerable amount of time after the paper launch, to make it right. The 7D II was such a hotly anticipated camera, I don't see why they wouldn't have put in the same effort to make a 24mp sensor work.

I don't see a rapid 7D III followup to the 7D II coming. I mean, anything is possible, but it just doesn't fit with Canon's MO.

I think the 24mp rumors were just that, rumors. Sadly.

You would think it would be pointless, but actually Canon does have a history of doing exactly that with their camcorders. In 2013 at CES they released the Vixia HF G20, then three months later its successor the HF G30 was announced at NAB. I think anyone who bought a G20 in those three months would have reasonable grounds to be a little peeved.

 

[Don Haines]

Maybe the reviewers have simply tested too many Nikon APS-C bodies recently...

+1

 

[Lee Jay]

You're thinking too much.

He published some images he took with the camera he had in his hands, and they were 20MP images. He just misspoke or forgot. He got a few other things wrong in the review. I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[Harv]

It's also possible that the reviewers simply misquoted the sensor pixel count.

 

[coreyhkh]

O my God Scott already posted in the other thread that he just made a mistake, Canon would not give a camera out for review that was not the one people would buy!!

I am 100% sure Canon does have a 24mp prototype as well as a 40+mp and who knows what else but for what ever reason they didn't make it in.

 

[Tugela]

Well, he would have to change it, firstly because the 7D2 does have the slightly changed 70D sensor, and secondly he would still be bound by the NDA regarding the other prototype, if it existed.

So saying it was a "mistake" means nothing, especially since you would think that someone reviewing a new camera would know enough about it not to make that sort of mistake.

IMO he knows something else, and that is what caused the slip.

 

[Loswr]

IMO he knows something else, and that is what caused the slip.

I heard it was a lone cameraman.

 

[TeT]

IMO he knows something else, and that is what caused the slip.

I heard it was a lone cameraman.

...in the parlor with the lead pipe.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Check the grassy koll. 8)

 

[Marsu42]

It is possible that there were two prototypes 7D Mark II, with 20 and another with 24 megapixel. However, Canon would not give for someone to do a review, a camera that was not properly tested to be produced on a large scale.

I'm positive there were more than just two prototypes as the 7d2 seems to be delayed a lot - from a marketing point of view, it should have come before the 70d using the 7d1's af system.

Most of all, with Nikon being at 24mp, it's reasonable that Canon tried to catch up - but probably found that their 24mp sensor underperformed and would also endanger the 22mp 5d3 as a lot of "dumb" Internet tech rankings and quick reviews only compare a handful of core specs like af point number.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

IMO he knows something else, and that is what caused the slip.

People make mistakes. Not everything is a conspiracy.

 

[Don Haines]

IMO he knows something else, and that is what caused the slip.

People make mistakes. Not everything is a conspiracy.

+1

The man shot Nikon.... and he shot Nikon..... and he shot Nikon..... and then he flipped over to Canon. He is probably so used to saying 24Mp that he said it without thinking....

 

[Marsu42]

Not everything is a conspiracy.

Denial even strengthens the suspicion that there might be something about it and agents of the system are trying to squash the truth. I'll be watching out for further patterns of people trying to make us believe Canon delivers the best cameras to us asap.

 

[Nethawk]

It's a massive conspiracy. If I were you I might switch to Nikon or Sony ;D

Seriously, if the lack of megapixels is a huge bother then the 7D2 is probably not the right tool for the job.

 

[mkabi]

Not everything is a conspiracy.

Denial even strengthens the suspicion that there might be something about it and agents of the system are trying to squash the truth. I'll be watching out for further patterns of people trying to make us believe Canon delivers the best cameras to us asap.

There is a "Glitch" in the system ;D

And, since Kelby said it twice, its a "Deja vu" ;D

 

[PLP]

Wow! How things get going. Let's use KISS (Keep It Simple S.) He was looking at the back of the camera's INFO screen. I have a 7D. The Image Size is 5184x3456 or 17.9 megs. However, the RAW "File Size" all depends. I have RAW files over 26 megs yet my 7D is still just a 18 mega pixels camera.

He was talking FILE SIZE.

Sorry no conspiracy