The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was announced on February 1, 2016, which makes it just over 3 years old. Higher end Canon cameras seem to have a product lifecycle of 4-5 years now.
We were told last month that testing for an EOS-1D X Mark II replacement has begun.
We're now being told to expect an announcement for the camera between Q4 of 2019 and Q2 of 2020. As we've mentioned on a few occasions, the Summer Games are in Tokyo, Japan beginning in July of 2020.
While the source had no specific specifications, as it's far too early for that type of information to leak out, it was said to expect an evolutionary update and nothing revolutionary. The EOS-1D series simply has to work and be the workhorse professional photographers expect.
There was no word as to whether or not this would be the last of the EOS-1D X series DSLRs in favor of a mirrorless replacement in the future.
The source did suggest that we won't see the “pro” EOS R system camera until after the EOS-1D X Mark III hits the market.
This is a specific market and they will sell similar numbers. 1DX owners don’t see a price, they see profit. It’s a necessary expense, not an investment or luxury item. If my year continues they way it has been, I’ll be upgrading when it lands without thought.
1D's are dependable workhorses and have been for decades. They aren't about bling. They are about getting the job done. There is some nice RF glass coming, but there is already so much good EF glass, I can only see that causing a smallish ripple.
Again, can't see much in the way of change except for even further improved AF, more robust video capabilities, MAYBE IBIS. Radical new sensor design seems unlikely at this stage. The DX models like to be the war tested big guns rather than experimental machines.
My biggest question in all of this is if all the other manufacturers continue to have more rapid replacement cycles than Canon, the opportunity for them to catch up in areas that matter would be greater. I wonder if Canon will stick to the 4-5 year cycle if competitors stick with 2-3 for the long haul.
On the other hand, part of me wonders if the timing of projected release is telling here. The 1DX II preceded the 5D IV by a few months in 2016, meaning that in following the same schedule we should then expect a 5D V some time in 2020 following the 1DX III. However, now we're hearing that the high resolution body will come next, potentially in the time frame we would otherwise expect a 5D V. This makes me wonder if the high resolution R is the true spiritual successor to the 5D IV, and the EOS R is intended to be a down-market version of the 5D for the "do everything pretty well" niche. If the 5D V release time slot is potentially occupied by this resolution-focused R body, when or will we see a 5D V? Interesting times.
Till the economists noticed that the industrial equipment couldn't be amortised, the customers noticed that their toyomitsudas quickly grew obsolete, and, above all, that reliability suffered. Even cars and cameras need time to "ripen".
I can only hope that Canon will never be that stupid just because some customers believe new to be better than reliable.
EOS 1 DX rules!
I suspect that for the purposes of this text, "pro" refers strictly to the 1D body style and excludes the 5D series.
Love the R, however this past weekend, I shot alot outdoors, and in that light, I missed an optical viewfinder....
Whatever they do, people will always complain, that seems to be the sure thing.