Why not?

[M249]

To save R&D costs. Why not re-use bodies, AF-systems, sensors etc?

EOS 5Dx (cheaper than EOS 5D Mark III)

Body: Same EOS 5D Mark III
AF: 15 AF points (all crosstype, from 61 AF system).
FPS: 5 (lesser buffer then 5D Mark III)
Metering: iFCL 63 zone
CPU: Digic 5
Sensor: FF (26,3 MP)
Screen: Same as 1Dx
Built in flash: No
Price: 2599 USD

EOS 7Dx (A 1D Mark IV in a smaller body, birders dream camera)

Body: Same as EOS 5D Mark III
AF: Same as 1D Mark IV
FPS: 10
Metering: iFCL 63 zone
CPU: 2 x Digic 5
Sensor: APS-H (26,3 MP)
Screen: Same as 1Dx
Built in flash: No
Price: 2099 USD

EOS 9Dx (the new EOS 7D)

Body: Same as EOS 5D Mark III
AF: Same as current 7D
FPS: 8,5
Metering: iFCL 63 zone
CPU: 2 x Digic 5
Sensor: APS-C 24,3 MP
Screen: Same as 1Dx
Built in flash: No
Price: 1699 USD

EOS 70D

Body: Same as current 60D
AF: Same as current 7D
FPS: 5,5
Metering: iFCL 63 zone
CPU: Digic 5
Sensor: APS-C (Same as 650D)
Screen: Same as 60D
Built in flash: Yes
Price: 1299 USD

 

[Axilrod]

Because this is simply a reflection of what you, a single consumer, would like to happen. The masses may not necessarily feel the same way. And regardless of what parts get reused, every camera still requires R&D. They can't just say "hey toss me over 15 AF points from the 5DIII, a 1DX screen, and this sensor and let's throw it in this body and call it a 5DX." It's not that simple.

I'm sure they'll make cameras that address the target demographics you mentioned, but who knows what the names/prices will end up being.

 

[bdunbar79]

Cool hypothetic situations, although I find few of them to be realistic

Anyways, this is consumer me, wanting the following regardless of what anyone else wants. Instead of the 70D being theorized as FF (which it will never be), why can't we cross the 7D and 5D line into a 6D for instance? I also am tired of waiting on a 2, 3, or 4 line. 8)

 

[Marsu42]

To save R&D costs. Why not re-use bodies, AF-systems, sensors etc?

They already are re-using many parts like the digic and af system on the 1dx/5d3. But concerning your suggestions, many people won't want a "crippled" camera body, no matter what it is capable of. It might be standard practice on cpus to disable working cores, but releasing a 5d3b (b for "beggar") would not be appreciated at $2500.

Most people want marketing and not a lego assembly box camera system, they want to have their products to have a distinct image like "flagship" yadayadayada...