*BUSTED* 5D Mark III & 5D X Specs?

[pj1974]

- 5DmkIII ('enthusiast') 26MP 5fps. 19pt AF downgraded 7D AF, A few cross-type AF pts.

Cant see them developing an inferior AF wihen they already have the 45 point 1d4/1ds3 AF sitting in the parts bin waiting to be fitted

Hi Brian, thanks for your post also.

Yes, I can definitely see where you're coming from, that it might seem better to use an existing / working AF system rather than 'dumb down' say the existing 7D AF.

My post above was speculation, however I do see a gap between the 5DmkII and the 1DX that 'needs' to be filled by something like what I've proposed above might be the specs of a 3D, which uses a good working 45pt AF system similar (or exactly the same as) the previous 1D4/1Ds3. I just don't see the 5D line inheriting that (at least not 'yet').

And as I've seen Canon do quite successfully in the APS-C lines, that is: have a range - ie 4 (!) differently developed AF sensors, which also seems 'inefficient' from a R&D perspective, but they have that. Although I'm reasonably technically competitent, I am not a electronic engineer (I've got a marketing degree instead)- thus I'm not sure the development costs (to dumb down a 7D or 'invent' another AF system all together for the 5DmkIII). I just think Canon are trying to win points and market share by having a 'range to suit every person' - and also clearer reasons to attempt to tempt people up to the next line or tiers of camera.

But who knows... you could very well be right (and if so, well done!). Time will tell... and hopefully we'll know before too long. 8)

Cheers!

Paul

 

[psolberg]

The D800 departs somewhat in that is has 36+ MP versus the D4's 16 but shares many other things. If it could deliver 6 fps I might be giving it some thought though I don't have to have that many MP's.

It does. It is 4fps in FF mode. 5fps in 1.2x crop mode. And, with grip, 6fps in DX 1.5x crop mode.

Not exactly what I meant but worth noting I'll watch both the D800 and whatever body or bodies Canon coes out with interest. The D800 certainly has enough pixels to make the crop aspects of telephoto work. But I'll need to see clean ISO1600 shots with feather detail before I believe it! While a 22MP FF sensor will be lacking in pixel density (assuming that rumor is true though I have a hard time believing Canon will essentially not be adding any pixels ) I can get bigger glass if need be especially if the higher ISO ( meaning ISO1600.. with my 7D and birds I rarely go above ISO400 ). It wil be interesting.. but if the rumors suggesting it will have the 1D-X AF, 22 MP and 6.9 fps are true, did Canon just do the D700 to itself? Unless you really NEED 12 fps why not buy the 5D in that case for less than half the price? Just not seeing Canon suddenly pulling a Nikon. Even Nikon this time did not pull a Nikon ( D700 versus D800)! If they do, however, I'll be very inclined to buy one! Especially if I can spot meter using any Af sensor location!

I think if nikon wanted to make a fast camera for high iso, they would have named it D4....oh wait...they did.
point being, the D800 isn't about what you seem to think it should be. would you buy a 5DII because of its speed and AF prowess? The D800 is more of a new line and not a D700 successor which was an 8FPS, 51 pro-AF speed demon. totally different markets.

 

[scokar]

1st one to offer a "D4 junior", or "1DX junior" gets my money.

 

[pj1974]

FF
- 5DmkIII ('enthusiast') 26MP 5fps. 19pt AF downgraded 7D AF, A few cross-type AF pts.
- 3D ('premium') 34MP 8fps. 45 AF, many cross-type and extra sensitivity AF pts. Better body.
- 1DX ('professional') 18MP 14fps. 61AF. Full professional body. Highest connectivity and feature set.


The main marketed differentiation between the 5D line and the 3D line will be on the sensor, with the focus for the 5D line being on low noise and great DR, whereas the 3D marketing focus will emphasize resolution, advanced features and body quality.

Paul

Reasoning on market segment, IMHO the 5DIII should lure those that own the 5DII (they are a nice segment in dimension), making them update to the newer, as much as those looking for an all around professional camera less expensive than the 1DX.

The high framerate on a high resolution sensor camera has a reason if you don't split the line (as Nikon is doing with the D800).

If Canon is planning to split the 5D line, the high framerate should go to the lower-res camera (as a feature for general purpose shooter).

The high-res camera should be addressed to studio professionals or resolution addicted amateurs (they don't see high framerate as a big selling point) and bring a higher cost in comparison.

If you also take account of what the video enthusiasts are expecting, they don't need a higher megapixel camera, but a better Dynamic Range sensor for sure (as much as some video oriented new features).

So if you push on the DR feature, you must lower the pixel count and increase pixel dimension.

Canon can do the split since it is a mammoth company with a huge R&D dept. in comparison to Nikon (using Sony made sensors on proprietary specs), and it also makes sense on a usage-driven market segment (photo vs. video).

This is only speculation, of course, keep it with a grain of salt because we don't know all the photo-video Canon market numbers.

But also keep for sure that if a disruptive innovation has to be made for a product (the Canon 5D), it should be Canon itself to do it, because it opens new markets, don't cannibalize the existing one (think to the Apple iPhone 's new models development path).

Hi spideyhero

Also thanks for your comments above, replying to my initial post in this thread.

I can see the logic, of splitting the FF under the 1DX by having both:
1) a 'high resolution / slower fps' camera (studio / landscape) and
2) a 'lower resolution / higher fps' (sports / wildlife / photo-journalists)

However, for some reason, at this stage, I am just thinking they might split differently. I could very well be wrong. I just see there being a 'gap' for a (perhaps) 3D - which is above 5D line in resolution and in fps. Like the 7D was when it came out (above other APS-C cameras in both resolution and fps).

I think both the 5D line and a possible 3D line will be relatively high resolution, compared to the 1DX, which has the ultimate image quality per pixel - in terms of very low noise, great DR - and the most speed of them all.

Let's see! Thanks again.

Paul