DPReview had the chance to speak with two senior Canon executives, Mr. Toshio Matsumoto, Senior Principle Engineer, and Mr. Kazuyuki Suzuki, Chief of Operations, the former being known as the “father of the EOS-1” about the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
Here are a couple of questions related to the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III:
How did you decide which features to update compared to the EOS-1D X Mark II?
There were a variety of factors. We get a lot of requests from our professional users, and we’re always listening to what they need. Their demands are sometimes very detailed! But we have to listen to their requests. In addition, we have to look at our technology – what kind of technology can meet those demands.
We then integrate [those pieces of information] and decide internally what we should include in the next model. In this new camera we’ve improved performance [in several areas], such as autofocus, networking and so on, which we’ll explain later in detail.
What were the main requests from users of the 1D X and 1D X II?
One important thing was the weight of the camera, and second, autofocus performance. We made sure there is no compromise in the AF performance of the new camera. And number three is network performance, which is very important [for wire services] – how fast you can put images into publication. We thought that there was room for improvement in that aspect of the camera’s performance. Lastly, image quality is of course a big thing. We worked on noise reduction, as well as high sensitivity image performance.
Also keep in mind that we have put a lot of effort into improving movie shooting performance as well as stills. Read the full interview at DPReview
That sounds promising, especially with how much emphasis he placed on it.
I wonder how much weight they will manage to shave off, if indeed they are pursuing that option - and how they would achieve anything significant?
There was no mention in the handling of the new item by the journalist of any different feeling, but maybe that was one of the embargoed items?
a) They do know, but are keeping it under wraps for now, and the easiest way to deflect further questions is to say "no idea at this time";
or
b) there are two or more options in play, maybe out being field tested, and they have not yet determined which one to follow through with.
Just my 2 cents though...
You aren't helping my GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome for those who don't know).
I'm a big fan of the R and use it as my main body these days, but this comment does not surprise me at all. There are a number of challenges to using the R as an effective sports camera that go well beyond the fps. It is hard for me to articulate these challenges, but they seem to be inherent to the nature/design of mirrorless and I suspect will be difficult to overcome in order for a true mirrorless action camera to meet Canon's standards.
About the best I can do to explain it is that with the R, I focus exclusively by using my thumb on the screen. I never use back button autofocus with the R, even though I have enabled it. Part of that is the ergonomics of the body -- the back button autofocus button is too small and too close to other buttons (that is easy to fix) but more significantly, it's just not they way I use a mirrorless camera. Shooting sports with a mirrorless will, for me, require some significant relearning before it becomes embedded in my brain and muscle memory -- my problem. But it will also require a more responsive and intuitive design than seems currently available.
Another practical problem is that a true sports camera has to be able to be used with gloves and I'm not talking about thin little smart phone gloves, but big old -20 degree gloves. The touch screen does not play well with my go-to winter photography gloves.
That is a great feature of the 1d :)
Yes, this sounded to me like a subtle way to lower expectations. They probably just came off a 2-year product development sprint to get the 1DX3 out, and basic decisions about the mirrorless version (like, if the next version will be mirrorless) haven't been made yet. This sets back all of us Canon Rumors denizens back another 18-24 months in expectations of having a "pro pro" camera to use RF lenses.
Canon is going to have a really cool system in 2023-2024. I'm happy with my mix of Canon and Sony bodies now, but would be happier if I could use the RF lens set before then. Just need a body with 10+fps while autofocusing. That's a full frame mirrorless equivalent of the 7d2's capability. I'll be here when you come out with it. I just won't expecting it anytime soon. Message received.
In a comment below the article Britton says the Mk III is "slightly lighter" than the Mk II.
Personally, as an owner of the old 1D Mk III who is thinking of updating it, I think the new model needs to be more than "slightly" lighter than the outgoing one. In my opinion the weight already crossed the line from "OK" to "not really OK" in in the move from the 1D Mk III to 1Ds Mk III, even though the latter is my main camera.
I'm not sure how much heavier the current model is than my cameras. It's hard to know what exactly is included in the listed specifications (caps, battery, viewfinder rubber etc.). Perhaps I should take a set of kitchen scales to the dealer.
I get that the new cameras have extra stuff like GPS and Ethernet jacks on board, but in the modern world we do usually expect things to get lighter and more compact over time. I've seen pictures of the innards of these 1 series cameras, with their multiple circuit boards, and can't help thinking there are savings to be made.