Canon 50D and no 5D mark II why is Canon playing catch up?

[scubi]

Okay, first I realize that new camera models come out yearly and as DSLR's become more and more popular and affordable this trend will only continue.

BUT I really htink Canon is making a mistake not coming out with a replacement for the 5D. Instead it seems they are playing catch up with Nikon.

Is it me or does it seem that Canon has fallen behind the curve recently?

I'm salivating for the new 5D mark II. When ever, What ever, I'm sure it's going to be stellar. But no word from Canon about it.

I hurts to see my favorite camera company apparently falling behind.

I own a 40D and absolutely love it. Use it for both business and pleasure. But, a new 50D doesn't make me want to upgrade at all. If I'm to seriously consider upgrading it would have to be to something like a new 5D full frame. Cheaper than the 1D but more expensive and feature rich (not to mention full frame) than the 40D (or 50D for that matter).

Anyone have any ideas about what the new 5D would look like? Spec wise?

My guess:

20 or so Mpx

50 or so cross type AF

Digic 4

12 fps burst rate

Weather sealed

high res view screen

Full frame of course

Live view

face recognition (well not really so useful for me, when I do portraits I use live view and focus manually)

all that jazz..

What you think?

Scubi

www.james-dunn-photo.com

[BobF]

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scubi wrote:

What you think?

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That the subject of the theoretical 5D Mk II or whatever it might be called has been done to death.

[Landscaper]

The word is that Canon intends to announce two new models of upper end cameras just a day or two before the start of Photokina.

[LynnP]

As I stated in another thread, it took Nikon 2 1/2 years to slightly surpass the 5D. Canon will hopefully come out with the new 5D at Photokina and it will take Nikon another 2 1/2 years to surpass it. If Canon doesn't come out with an improved one then they are resting on their laurels.

Lynn

[drh681]

Actually it is Nikon that has been on the defese.

they are "caught up" now.

with this camera the line-ups are head to head (mostly)

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25444/D700.html

This is a sensor and price point match for the EOS 5D

plus it takes either style of lens, it crops itself when a DX lens is attached.

Stand by for some nice things from Canon within the next six months.

also look for some shake-out in the Nikon line, they have too many versions in the same price point range

[Richie]

There is no need to be hurt because your favorite camera manufacturer has become stagnant with designs. That's just silly. Canon enjoyed almost a full decade of domination. Nikon is pushing back with some awesome cameras between the D3, D300, and D700 right now. Competition is a good thing and Canon needs to fall behind. As Mel Brooks once said, "It's good to be the king". But the king needs a kick in the pants from time to time to innovate. If Canon brings a stellar replacement to the market, it's not going to make your current 5D an inferior product upon release. If not, it will do the juggernaut some good to spend some time in second place so they can reflect on their decisions that put them there. In the end it can only lead to a win for the consumer. Think about Ford and GM – their reliance on maintaining the status quo put them in the dire straights they are in and they are currently retooling to bring smaller cars to the American market. I'm not much for the gear speculation, but I wouldn't shed a single tear if Canon took a beating from Nikon because it's only going to make them work harder to design the products that we desire and demand as photographers.

If the 5D replacement is less than stellar, I'd have no problem with buying a second 5D instead. I do have a need for 1-series auto focus performance on occasion, but I'd buy a pair of used 1-VHS bodies before I spend $8K on a 1Ds Mark III.

[scubi]

Not upset, just not sure what they are thinking.

My 40D has paid for itself and I'm thinking of moving up.

I totally agree that the 1dMrk3 is out of my price rance and too much camera for what I need (Product, Portrait, and some Weddings).

But I don't want to buy a 5D and then a new one come out right after. (Thats how my luck works)

The D700 does look nice though. hehehe

Scubi

www.james-dunn-photo.com

[Landscaper]

I don't believe Canon is in the position of having to "catch up." The Nikon offerings are excellent; no doubt about that. But markedly better? I don't think so. All Nikon has done is level the playing field, which means they've caught up. I have no doubt that Canon has multiple future models on the drawing boards and even in their vaults, carefully deciding to bide their time until it seems the right time to take the next step ahead of Nikon.

In any case, I still contend the majority, perhaps a sizable majority, of Nikon and Canon users are and will be legacy customers with too much invested in lenses to readily switch brands just to take advantage of minor differences in features. As long as either company doesn't fall behind for a significant period of time, I don't believe they have much to worry about.

Message Edited by Landscaper on 08-29-2008 08:24 AM

[AndyK]

Scubi> But no word from Canon about it. I hurts to see my favorite camera company apparently falling behind.

Canon doesn't talk about releasing new models until very shortly before they actually announce it. It's just the way they run their corporate marketing. But if you want to read dozens of rumors and people guesstimating on new models and new specs ... go to www.dpreview.com and look through the discussion forums for the 5D. While I'd like to see a new 5D model come out soon, we'll just have to wait until they introduce one and see how the specs and pricing runs. It was way ahead of its time when released and is now a bit long in the tooth (considering the short cycle of digital cameras).

Even as a confirmed Canonista, I'd agree with Richie that it is a very good thing that Nikon is bringing lots of good DSLR models to market because it puts pressure on Canon to build competitive cameras and keep the prices lower. Dittos for makers like Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc. (all three are making some good DSLRs now).

I don't see getting all hyped up about a new camera model. I've skipped the last two Canon upgrades in the xxD model line and may upgrade at some point in the next year. My current camera works just as well as it did when I first got in, but my skills have improved to the point where the images I get are better. I expect a new model will give me some features that will be useful, but not *critical*, to what I do.
Best,

AndyK

[coppertop]

Welcome to the world of Canon.

 

I'm beginning to think that the best way to guess what's next on their release schedule is to think what makes the most sense and predict something completely opposite of that.

 

There's been a lot of clamoring for a new 400mm f5.6L IS, a revised 100-400mm for years and now the voices are asking for a 5D MKII.  What's Canon do?  Update a camera that's been out barely a year (if that) and offers a costly, underwhelming EF-S lens that doesn't have USM.

 

The way things are going, it wouldn't surprise me if the 1Ds MKIII is updated before a 5D MKII is announced.  I still like my Canon gear and think they can make some fantastic stuff but sometimes their logic and lack of listening puzzles me.