6D will have to wait untill late summer

I heard a rumour that 6D is going to be announced just before Photokina, probably sometime between late August and 20th September. One of the reasons on why it wasn't announced now, right before PMA, was that Canon already announced 2 cameras last Fall and 450D just a few days ago. Besides that, Canon needs an announcement for Photokina and 6D is the only model that could be announced so soon. In my opinion, there could also be a 1D mkIIIn or even a mkIV. 6D is supposed to be a real upgrade, so 5D mkII won't be an option. It's reasonable though, after 3 long years minor updates should be out of the question.

Here are the rumoured specifications:

- 16 mpix, ISO 100-6400 (extended 12800)
- Digic III, 14 bit A/D, highlight priority with respectable DR boost (1+ EV)
- 3" LCD with higher resolution and live view
- dust reduction
- some changes to the body design, partial weather sealing
- 4 fps
- improved AF system (probably just improved 40D's AF)

I hope the new sensor will be even better at high ISO than Nikon's D3 and that its dynamic range would at least come close, if not on par with Fuji's S5.

5D mkII delayed

It's been a dry season regarding fresh rumours. And we are only 12 days away from PMA. Unbelivable! I'm glad I can finally write a new post. I didn't post for 2 months, since I don't like to post old stuff or just some slightly altered old speculations.

This one is about 5D mkII. I've came across some rumours that it's being delayed. Probably until Photokina 2008. But at least I hope Canon will make the 5D's successor a whole new camera, not just add a few unsignificant improvements, such as larger screen, buffer etc. If we have to wait another 8 months, they SHOULD do better than that. After all we're all tired of this endless small step evolutions. And Nikon has really made a breakthrough with D3 and D300 and they could decide to make a 5D competitor as well. So Canon has to act.

1D mkIV

There are some rumours floting around the web regarding a true 1D mkIII upgrade (instead of IIIN). The main reason for a larger step forward, is without a doubt the embarasing 1D3 AF issues (not to mention Canon's shameful way of "undoing the damage") and Nikon D3. I think even Canon was surprised by D3's awesome features and performance, especially when it comes to High ISO.

Anyway, here are the rumoured 1D4 specs:

* Same form factor as current 1 Series
* Full Frame 16MP sensor (end of 1.3 crop cameras)
* ISO 100 to 6400 (expandible 50 and 12800)
* Live View with contrast detection AF and HD Video capture (It is considered this will revolutionise photo journalism and meet growing requirement for web news video and cross media feeds).
* Stills can be grabbed from HD Video capture but only at 2MP resolution.
* 1.3x crop mode with viewfinder masking and reduced size RAW (10MP) with significantly improved buffer for cropped RAW images
* 10 fps, buffer similar for FF images.

6D

I've spoken with a Canon rep today and got the info on 6D (the final designation isn't knon yet). From what I've been told, they're trying various versions of the 5D's successor, but most likely they'll put the "real" upgrade on the market, not just a 5D mkII. It's going to be announced in the second half of January a week or so before PMA.

Final specs should be very similar to those (as always there might be some last minute changes):
- 16 mpix
- ISO 3200, extended to 6400
- highlight priority with respectable DR boost (1+ EV)
- AF similar to the 40D's, 9 cross type AF points (invisible central AF points are going to be included like in 5D)
- 3" LCD with live view
- dust reduction
- 4 fps, larger buffer
- weather sealing

450D in early January

There are a lot of rumours about the 450D, that is due in early January 2008 for PMA. Canon is going to add some P&S features like the facial recognition.

The software final feature list will depend on what they get working well in the DSLR environment.

* Live View
* Movie Mode
* DIGIC III and 14 bit processing
* ISO 3200
* Larger LCD screen
* Still 10.1 MP

I've also heard that a 12MP version is engineered, but it should be announced in August 2009 after the 50D in February 2009. If the stakes get to high, Canon might reconsider and put a 12 mpix version on the market instead of the 10 mpix - and it wouldn't be the first time that Canon put a higher mpix sensor in the entry level DSLR, than in its XXD grade.

Canon's main competitor to announce more FF DSLRs?

There are quite a few rumours floating around the net regarding more and more FF Nikon DSLRs. Here are some interesting quotes:

"I think you'll see other FX products. It's a sensor size we're committed to," by Steve Heiner, senior technical manager of Nikon SLR marketing.

When he was asked about a 5D equivalent, he replied: "doesn't take a rocket scientist" to see the D3 has tantalized some photographers who aren't served by the D3. "That leaves a lot of other photographers out there intrigued."

It's really nice to see things are moving towards affordable consumer FF DSLRs.

7D confirmed?!

It's already in the UPC database.

It is said to have the spec as below:

-12mp
-5fps,Up to 21 RAW files
-dust removing system
-15-point TTL CMOS sensor
-Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster
-96% frame coverage
-Magnification: 0.71x
-3.0 " 640×480 TFT LCD (920,000 pixels)
-ISO 50-3200 extended to 12800 and 25600
-DIGIC III, 14-bit
-Canon EF lens mount (not EF-S)
-Live View Mode
-The Body Is Much Identical to 5D, Could Share The Handgrip
-Surprisingly cheap, US: $ 1,899