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Canon Rumors
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Far Fetched Stuff?
I received many rumors that never appear on this site, I try to filter them a bit. However, times are slow right now. So here are a few I’ve received over the last month or so.

This post really is for entertainment value…….. for now. :)

EF f/2 Zoom
Canon is working on f/2 zoom to add to the lineup. Focal range of 24-60.

EOS 3D
We’ll see a 3D in the spring of 2010. It’ll basically be a 7D with a full frame sensor.

Full Line of EF-S Primes
Canon will release a full line of EF-S prime lenses on 2010.

Mirrorless Rebel
A mirrorless Rebel is closer than anyone thinks. We could see them for Christmas of 2010. The camera will be smaller and have an OLED viewfinder.

I’ll repeat it. I dub these CR0 rumors for the time being. I get a lot of wishlists. That being said, I felt the same way about my first 7D information back in January.

Goodnight.

cr

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106 Comments
  • *EF f/2 Zoom

    Very unlikely, it would be big, heavy and close to prohibitively expensive, most people would probably prefer to buy a few primes that would do a better job.

    *EOS 3D

    I’m guessing that a full-frame 7D will be called 5D Mark III.

    *Full Line of EF-S Primes

    Possible (but unlikely I think but see below), if it happens I hope they will be cheap and cheerful like the nifty-nifty but I would prefer to see cheap EF primes.

    *Mirrorless Rebel

    Hope so, would love one of those, perhaps that’s what the new EF-S primes are for, a small, mirror-less camera would need small lenses, preferably smaller than the current kit zooms so a few EF-S “pancakes” would make sense.

  • EF-S primes are something I’ve wanted for a long, long time….or at the very least (and even better, actually) *fast* EF primes in the 15-20mm range.

  • I’m glad you normally filter out crud like these rumors. A 3D priced at least $1000 above the 5D Mk II isn’t completely unbelieveable, but the others, sorry, no.

    What would the point be behind a series of EF-S primes? Does anyone really think the existing non-L f/1.8 and f/2 primes are overly bulky or too expensive?

  • sería interesante una rebel sin espejo. Eso podría ser un gran problema para los sistema 4/3.

    Lo demás, lo veo difícil. Pura especulación.

  • If it costs 3700$, why not just go for the 1D? I’d love to see a 3D, but from the looks of past rumors that say it’ll be between the 1D and 50D(60D if they make that one), the 7D is going to be all we’ll be seeing for a while.

  • so what if the 3D cannibalizes the 5D2, then the 5D3 will come out and all will be happy…

    I just want more selection in FF bodies,

    3D is FF version of 7D

    3D 16-21Mp(18Mp) FF (similar to 7D in features)

    5D3 25-30Mp FF(same as 1Ds4)4fps (video upgrades like 7D)

    (3D a small version of 1D4? like Eos3)

    3D spring 2010

    1D4 spring 2010

    60D spring 2010

    5D3 fall 2010

    1D4 fall 2010

  • If Canon would make a mirrorless rebel priced below the 1000D, for example 200 euro (excl. lens) I will buy one to supplement my (sometimes way too big 40D). I will buy a 35 2.0 or a new 35 1.8 USM (if it ever comes) to put on it.

  • Similar rumours like these on Nikon Rumours would have been treated as fact. Remember Nikon Roadmap and how the lemmings there took it as gospel.

  • I try not to stir the rumor but, after I heard about new product announcement that should be coming soon on Sep 29, I decided to go back and look at the Canon timeline and trying to see if there is any trend of what it could be. Looking at the wikipedia page using “Canon EOS” as the search term. I think it’s possible that a 3D should be coming at the next dSLR launch or next generation of dSLR. If you look at the trend of Canon file SLR and compare to dSLR you will see some similarity.

    in film, Canon start with 650, then follow by the first 1/10/rebel series in the very close time frame. In dSLR, Canon offer D30/D60, then 1D/1Ds/10D and dRebel in the similar fashion. Then during the 2nd generation of the 1 series (1N), Canon have 5/50 series in the same time frame. In dSLR, Canon have 1D2/1Ds2/5D and 30D. At the 3rd generation of the 1 series(1V), Canon have Elan 7 and 3 series. Well, we have 1D3 and 1Ds3 and 7D now, even if you count 5D2 as 3 series of film equivalent, which is possible in term of technology stand point. It’s no doubt that a 3D series is not a far fetch in term of Canon trend of naming convention if canon is to offer another segment of dSLR market.

    Again, let me point out that this isn’t a rumor or leak, I’m just pointing out the Canon SLR and dSLR timeline on how similar they are in term of product name and the technology stand point.

  • The only realistic rumour of these is a mirrorless Rebel, and I strongly suspect (and fear), that it’s going to be a fixed lens one, because Canon is unlikely to be ready for the headache of creating a new system. People tend to criticize the lack of lens choice in new systems, while in the same time applaud a fix lens camera if they like its lens. And this discourages mfr’s from starting new (interchangeable) systems, the score is currently 3 fixed versus 1 interchangeable (Sony-R1 + Sigma-DP’s + Leica-X1 versus Pana-Oly’s M4/3). Not counting Samsung NX yet! Nikon is said to be close to finalizing a fixed-lens mirrorless APS-C compact.

    The least realistic rumour is the 3D. We’ll not see that any time soon. A FF 3D would not only canibalize 5DII but also any 1D camera. If you put a FF sensor in a 7D, there isn’t much (features) left for the 1D’s to differentiate themselves.

  • 3D is very much possible but the price will be slightly higher $3100-$3500. My guess will be a FF 7D type with more cross AF points, weather sealing, popup flash, and some additional small features.

  • I think an 24-60/2 zoom is an excellent idea. But the optics has to be as good as the 24 1.4, the 35 1.4 and the 50 1.2. Any price less than 5 000 – 6 000 dollars are ok if it’s good.

  • I’d imagine if you’re shooting on a cropped camera, you’re probably more inclined to go with cheaper zooms, and if you decide you want something faster or better, you’re probably willing to pay for the EF primes…

    I dunno.

  • Disagree. I’m not that familiar with what’s already in the 1Ds, but the 1D could have lots of features not in the 3D such as built-in wifi, gps, better weather sealing, dual CF cards for redundant use, be the only full-sized (square) camera, etc. There’s lots of things they can keep in their top body.

  • The existing EF70-200 lenses are too big to carry around for a crop body.

    Canon needs an EFS 50-150 2.8 IS similar in build quality to the 17-55. This is the biggest hole in the EFS line up.

  • ” If you put a FF sensor in a 7D, there isn’t much (features) left for the 1D’s to differentiate themselves.”

    for photography:

    A clearly supior AF system

    higher fps

    bigger buffer

    rugged & water proof

    larger lcd/oled 4″?

    customization up the wazoo

    for video:

    1080p 24/25/30/60

    720p 24/25/30/60/120

    480p 24/25/30/60/120/240

    (I know I’m dreaming)

    time code syncronization

    xlr audio inputs

    power zoom?

    HDMI pass through of raw data

    better AF

    output for monitor

    in other words

    anything that improves work flow or quality

    that is exclusive will make it sell.

    just look at 1D series history as proof

  • Not many people would be willing to pay the extra cost of the 1D (thousand(s) of $$$) just for these features. they are all minor features, with the exception of weather-sealing which based on the info on 7D, the hypothetical 3D will have at least some kind of (still not clear to what extent the 7D is protected). if it turned out that 7D’s sealing is insufficient for pro demands, then that could alleviate the canibalism (of 3D on 1D). But even the very humbledly featured 5DI & II had a felt effect on the 1D sales.

  • how much % the 7D price is higher than 50D?

    if a 3D ever come (unlikely) it will be priced by higher than the 5D II by the same %.

    that’s because 5DII is a FF 50D. and the Hypothetical 3D is a FF 7D.

  • I think you underestimate what a pro’s willing to spend for the best tool for the job. I agree that a lot of hobbyists won’t will be more than happy with a 3D over 1D, but when you’re making a lot of money to shoot important events, every extra feature helps, and a couple grand more isn’t that big of a deal.

    A redundant CF slot is not a minor feature at all, and to me, seems like a feature they’d reserve for the top end model. If you’re shooting an event where failure isn’t an option, your $4,000 camera doesn’t mean squat if your CF card dies. Even something simple like shooting portraits for a kids football league – try shooting 300 kids whose parents all paid up front, and you get home and your card’s fried. What do you do then?

    Would it have an impact on the 1D sales? Sure, but Canon will always have a camera in the higher price point for those that are willing to pay for it.

  • What would be the point of making EF-S primes? That’s one of the most retarded things I’ve heard of since a 5D2 with a 9 point AF. An f/2 version of the 24-70 or “24-60” would be BA…but don’t they already refer to the 24-70 as “THE BRICK”??? This thing’s gotta weigh as much as the 800mm f/5.6L, lol.

  • You are absolutely right that some or even many of the pros will not try to economize any money when it comes to which body they use for their job. this is a segment of the 1D series buyers, and i don’t underestimate it at all. but don’t forget other segments like rising (new) pros who still don’t have unlimited resource to behave like the first segment, also top hobbyist who can afford the 1D’s but with difficulty. It takes a little bit of lost sales from segments like these to bring the overall sales of the two 1D’s down. I would actully love to be proven wrong and see a 3D as described (FF sensor + 7D features) materialize.

  • my point exactly. grow some balls, and get the 50 1.8. I know it’s well out of your price range, but you can do it. If you’re not ready to spend money…why are you in photography again? Get a point and shoot and shut it.

  • 7D already has most of these features and what it doesn’t have and is doable (tech wise) for Canon is very narrow in range. The 7D’s movie mode is already excellent its the best DSLR movie mode to date, in order to convince a reluctant 1D buyer that he should skip a 7D-like 3D and go for the 1D, Canon will need headline feaure(s), like say the 1D’s can do higher than 1080 HD (ultra HD..etc RED-one stuff), or something like what Nikon did in the D700 the VF is not 100% coverage (a key feature for a pro camera), but if Canon does something like that in a 3D, then its no longer a FF 7D. 8fps already in 7D how much can canon do higher in the 1D’s 10 or 12 fps will not convince many of the reluctant buyers.

  • I’m sure Canon would love to go on selling the 5D2, rather than a “3D”, but they have competition : the A850/A900 and D700x (rumored soon) will make the 5D2 look like a 50D next to a D300.
    So if they want to fight for “best in class” (they seem to, with the 7D), they will bring a “7DFF” next year, and I’m sure they will find lots of added value for their 1D (fps, af, comm & storage, maybe raw video) and 1Ds (same + image quality)…
    Thank you Sony and Nikon ! :-)

  • I imagine a killer 3D would pull more people up from the lower models than down from the 1D. Who knows. If the 1D loses enough sales, maybe they raise the price to make it worth producing, in which case I still think you’d have those pros willing to spend that coin for it.

  • And just as we thought the megapixel wars were over…

    It would be interesting to see if they’ll make a good enough CCD to compete with all CMOS’s.

  • ok, if the 3D is a FF version of 7D, what’s the difference between the 3D and 1D line? What kills the 3D idea for me is I can’t see where it would fit in the price point lineup from Canon’s perspective, if you price it well over the 5D you are getting too close to the 1D price. If you have a $3500 3D why would you not spend another $500 and get a 1D?

  • aprat from the movie mode, there isn’t much difference and when the movie mode will come in the 60D it wont be priced differently from the 50D (comparing at-introduction to at-introduction prices). 5D and 20D had a big price difference although there wasn’t much more than a 20D w FF sensor.

  • I think a 70-200 F/2.8 EF-S IS would not be much smaller than the current one. Only wide angle lenses are smaler for crop sensors. Tele lenses are long and have a big lens at the front for F/2.8. This is a realy limitating issue. It would’nt make much sense to smaler the lenses near the body?

    I would like a lens “EF L IS 95-300mm f/4” to be added to my “EF 24-105 F/4 L IS”.

  • Do they have a lens to transfer the details ? We need an extra line for 60 lines per mm at MTF. Zeiss and Leica are using 40 lines per mm at their diagrams, unfortunetly Canon and others stopps at 30.

  • With 34 MPixel, we have to print them out to good old slides for presentation. No screen or beamer is able to bring up the details and I’m not able to store every image as a big poster.

    I don’t need more pixels, I need higher ISO levels.

  • Personally, I don’t care. My walk around lens is a 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM, so weight isn’t an issue for me. I’m speaking for the general public.

  • The described 3d for Canon or the rumoured D700X for Nikon would suck too many buyers from above and below, they represent an ideal camera for a mfr who has only one top camera, but are very bad idea for mfr’s like C & N, they want to make more than one top camera and they want each to have a considerable % of buyers, 7D & 5D are both imperfect relatively cheap cameras based on opposite philosophies (full-featured small format, vs full format with austere feature set). I can’t think of a future rosy enough to see Canon make the very right camera that everybody want to the extent that its sales would dwarf the sales of all its bigger and smaller brothers. Only time will tell anyway, we shall see. The only scenario that will force Canon and Nikon to make this “RIGHT” camera is when Sony succeed in making their full frames as feature-backed as C & N, not like now no LV, no Vid…etc

  • I dunno, I would rather share the R&D costs of L-series glass with the FF. Plus I want to use my lenses with my film body

  • +1

    Nikon, there would be no 7D. No intelligent viewfinder, no flash commander, no effort on autofocus, etc. TY Nikon for being first so Canon can 1-up you.

  • -1

    The 70-200 is not light, but it is so worth it. Besides, you can always put it on a monopod and carry it around in a rolly suitcase. If you want light, go prime.

  • A 3D with a 24-60 f2 mounted would basically be my dream setup and would likely never leave my hand. Even if it was $6k for the pair.

    Too bad it’s a CR0 wishlist.

  • I can even imagine Canon milking the 5dmk2 until Fall, 2011 at a lower price point, *then* releasing the mk3.

    I’d really like the 5dmk3 this time next year though

  • By the way – I love being in a forum where “My walk around lens is a 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM” is akin to beating on your chest and grunting :)

  • Maybe I made a mistake in buying the 5DMII.

    Canon keeps putting better things on its cheeper cameras.

    A 7D with full frame sounds good to me and alot cheeper.

  • Sure, *if* and when it comes out and *if* it is actually less expensive than the 5DII.

    In the meantime you have an actual camera that works really, really well. The mystical 3D will take it’s time coming out just like the 5DII did.

  • If the 3D comes out, it will not be cheaper than the 5Dmk2, don’t worry about that, LOL. No chance. Well… it’s possible they could do something like make the 3D $2700 and bring the 5dmk2 down to $2k or so.

  • Micro 4/3 only makes sense to me with dedicated compact prime lenses. Panasonic’s 20mm f/1.7 is the winner so far IMO. Then, perhaps a wider prime (10-12mm) and one more in the portrait range (50mm). Unfortunately long telephoto would look pretty silly (at that point you really do want a grip).

    The Olympus kit zoom is a great concept, but there are too many steps before you can start shooting.

  • Yeah, the US naming scheme for the XXXD line has become pretty obnoxious, and not just the “rebel” part – XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i… what gives?

  • hmmm… I guess I would want something a bit longer on the order of 25-30mm. And NOT the 28mm f/1.8 thank you very much.

  • EF 28mm that is. If canon could spruce up that design, esp. at the edges and make it more affordable (a la Nikon 35mm DX), I’d be down with that.

  • I can see it now, the xxxD will be the Rebel, the xxD will be the Rioter, and the new microEOS would be the Nuisance…lol wish they’d just stick with numbersD like in the rest of the world.

  • Well, by that logic the 7D wouldn’t be here because who needs a semipro aps-c body? I think the 7D’s existence justifies ef-s primes.

  • Non-L primes at f<50mm are in serious need of a refresh. Making one or two of them EF-S could make cheaper and therefore more attractive to rebel owners.

  • 1v
    eos3
    eos5
    eos7

    Canon has done it before, why not now?

    from Canons point of view, as long as they make a profit on each line, who cares what camera you buy so long as it’s a Canon.

  • “The only realistic rumour of these is a mirrorless Rebel, and I strongly suspect (and fear), that it’s going to be a fixed lens one, because Canon is unlikely to be ready for the headache of creating a new system. …And this discourages mfr’s from starting new (interchangeable) systems”

    Well, Sony and Pentax are strongly considering jumping into micro43 cameras with Oly & Panny, Sony is probably for sure going to, so it makes sense Canon would do something like a mirrorless Rebel. The cash cow is upgrading people from P&S’s, and that’s what micro43 is all about. A fixed lens would just be another P&S. Of all the companies capable of delivering a bunch of new lenses for a microEOS along with an EF-S and EF adapter would be Canon.

  • How about this for Canon marketing:

    1Ds The Emporer

    1D The Dominator

    5D The Revolutionary

    7D The Rambunctious

    xxD The Rioter

    xxxD The Rebel

    microEOS The Nuisance

  • I think you’re giving the 7D the shaft (rambunctious??) – what about the Guerrilla? Perhaps fitting given it’s direct assault on the D300s?

  • They care because if one of the models doesn’t sell well (specially the flagship), that means that all the “particular” costs spent on it by Canon were wasted money, (from research & development, to production to makrketing, distribution, service, support …etc). It makes a lot more sense to skip a model that you have never introduced before, than to ruin the existing models, specially when you have just intrudced a new line (7D). I actually think that the 1D (1.3x) may get the ax then there will be only 1Ds no 1D or 3D, gonna be a superduper 1Ds that is high in MP and fps. That’s what I sincerely think, it is not at all what I wish, let’s not mix the two things.

  • May Canon be listening to you! an if it happen, am gonna be one of the early adpoters, just don’t forget the swivel (:

  • “more professional EF-S Lenses make sense with the 7D now….”

    Don’t think that’s a good reason, pros will use 7D as their second/third back-up body and I doubt they would buy lenses to be used only on that camera.

  • The 5D was $3,299 when it came out and the 5D2 was $2700 when it came. So it could easily not have a price increase. I’m hoping the 1D will stay at $3999 and toast the D3s.

    The 3D seems like too close to the 1D in price/features, unless they did something radical like make a super cinema targeted 3D with 4K recording and XLR inputs and a grip and LCD designed for optimal video handheld use I can’t see why they’d make a 3D.

  • blah blah blah with the gear head numbers, cycles, and pixel count; let me buy that f/2 lens and take some pictures!

  • 28mm will be the “perfect” standard lens. This equal to the diagonal dimension of the sensor.It is equivalent to 45mm which is the standard focal length for a long time for the 35mm cameras. until SLR bumped the “standard” lens to 55mm due to technical requirement for the mirror box. As technology improved. They back it down to be 50mm.

  • They can always use their L lenses, except for the very wide angle. 17-40 L is a good general professional lens on APS-C.

  • Prime lens has three advantages that the Zoom lenses do not have:
    1. Smaller. 2. lighter weight, 3 Can be a lot faster. this will make it to be a perfect “walk around lens.
    I would like to see Canon make a EF-S 28mm f 1.4 lens. or even a GOOD EF-S 28mm 1.8 lens for the APS-C. they can really optimize the design to take the advantage of a smaller ensor area.

  • Correction: Non-L primes at < OR = to 50mm are in serious need of a refresh…the 50/1.4 and 50/1.8 are quite old.

  • Yeah, thanks for the snark in your comment, but 50mm on a 1.6-crop body is worthless for me. With companies touting the whole point of moving to lenses built for smaller-frame cameras being smaller and lighter glass, I’d like to see that happen in an EF-S prime lineup.

    I think Nikon’s DX prime is proof enough that there’s a market out there.

  • Canon can capitalize the smaller sensor and design a smaller and better EF-S prime than the existing prime. As for price, it is debatable. The price is based largely on the inverse of volume and cost. that is why the 50mm f1.8 is so cheap.

  • My guess (my wish!) is:

    EOS 3D: The next 3D will be APS-H. It should replace the 1D Mark3. I think there will not be a 1D Mark4 since too many Japanese are superstitious and believe the number 4 brings bad luck. Canon will simply rename it. I think also the 1Ds Mark4 will never be announced for the same reason, Canon will probably call il 1Dx or something similar (why not EOS 1D-f for “full frame”?). A third FF body in the xD series is simply unrealistic.
    So we could have:
    xD series: professional DSLR. 1Dx = FF; 3D = APS-H; 5D = cheap FF; 7D = APS-C. (There’s room for an eventual 9D… cheaper APS-H?)
    xxD series: semi-professional (prosumer) DSLR.
    xxxD series: consumer DSLR.
    xxxxD series: entry level DSLR.

    EF f/2 zoom: I hope this one will finally be what I am looking for, a 35-70 f/2 L IS USM. Such a lens, although only a 2x zoom, would be fantastic, perfectly filling the gap between the EF 16-35 f/2.8 L II USM and the EF 70-200 f/2.8 L (II) IS USM. And it could be f/2 and yet weigh as much as the 24-70 f/2.8 L USM, or even a bit less. Moreover, it would be the fastest zoom lens ever, and we all know how much Canon enjoys being the first in doing something amazingly new… What a prodigious walkaround lens this would be, though only 2x! And wedding and indoor sport photographers would love it!
    I don’t believe a 24-60 f/2 is realistic or practical because it simply would weigh too much.

    Full Line of EF-S Primes: It depends on how many lenses we expect a “full line of primes” should be composed of. I believe a FULL LINE of primes should include no less than 7-8 lenses. I don’t think Canon will announce more than 3 EF-S primes simultaneously. But a 21mm, a 35mm and a 70mm would be fine to start with.

    Mirrorless Rebel: I hope this will soon come true. I had planned to buy the olympus EP-1 next year to be used with my many beloved old manual focus Zuiko OM lenses, but a Canon would be too cool!

  • I hope it’s true – all I want is:

    – Full frame
    – Small body
    – Pop-up flash

    Anything else is gravy.