EOS 1DSmk.... next gen pro bodies - when & what?

[billfoto]

Hi all, I am a pro user and have happily used a 1DSmkII for the last 5 years with very little trouble. its getting old now and starting to show its age (as we all do in time) so i am looking to upgrade.
First off I was considering a straight forward upgrade to the 1DS mkIII as it most fits my pro-working criteria.
However, I am now starting to wonder when the next generation of EOS body upgrade is likely to 'appear'. (the 1DSmk V..?) It might be worth me holding out but when is it likely to happen. Any ideas?

[Bob Atkins]

Nope, and neither does anyone else (or at  least anyone else who will say). I asked when I met with Canon a couple of months ago but I got the answer that I expected. Pretty much to the effect of "we can't really say". It's probable that even the Canon reps here in the US don't know. Canon keep these things pretty tight and all the development is done in Japan.

Obviously the next generation of 1Ds is in development. I assume it will have video and a slightly higher pixel count than the current model, maybe slightly better noise and AF performance but exactly what it will be and when it will appear I have no idea. I'd be surprised if we didn't see something in the next 12-24 months but that's just a guess

[billfoto]

Hi Bob - I get a gut feeling that we might see something along these lines from Canon this Autumn. Can I ask what you think might be in the pipeline for when (based on your gut feelings!)
Thanks

[Bob Atkins]

I still have no idea if anything is coming and/or what it might be. I don't believ 99% of internet rumors. Most of them are wishful thinking and/or attemts to attract viewers to a website.

I suspect that all new EOS DSLRs except for the pro series 1 bodies will probably have a tilt and swivel LCD to facilitiate video shooting. I think the series 1 bodys will keep the flat screen because it's easier to fully weather seal and it's less susceptible to accidental damage.

I suspect that we will see more advanced video capability on the next generation of cameras, perhaps incorporating some form of continuous AF tracking.

We might see more integration with GPS via internal or external units.

I presume we'll see the usual small incremental gains in lower noise and/or dynamic ratio and perhaps a modest boot in the number of pixels and small tweaks to the AF system, but I very much doubt any of these will result in significant gains in image quality.

It's possible we'll see something this fall, but it's also possible that Canon are so busy getting back into full production after the disruptions caused by the Tsunami earlier this year that they will delay new product introduction.