Well the fooled us all, it's not going to be a 30d , it's a 5d and it will be a 12.3 MGP camera with the pro digachip.

looks very cool but its not exactly cheap....they've upgraded the 1D mark II and introduced a new L series lens with IS as well.

From what i have heard about this guy, i don't think i would say it is replacing the 20d. It is quie abit out of the 20d's leauge.

It's a bit confusing really - in one release Canon say they are rationalising and merging pro product lines and then the next minute they dilute the range still further....

if anything it's a more likely replacement for the 1D Mark II as opposed to the 20D but they upgraded that as well..

I know I think that in many way they are responding to the new Nikon with a bit of a panic. It is a 12.3 and is a darn amassing camera. And it is $3000.00US Cheaper. Plus there really is not much differance from a 16 .3 to a 12.3 only 16 %. I know that Nikon is already working on a lowew cost 8 and 10 MGP cmaeras. Hell canon was the one who started the rumer about Nikon using there CMOS. And that was not true.

On paper the differences between a Nikon 2DX and a Canon 1DS Mark II may seam slight - it becomes a different matter in the real world when you see comparitive shots from the two and it becomes clear that the Canon is leagues ahead. The 5D although pricey still undercuts the 2DX in the UK by more than £600 pounds so this will definitely put the screws on Nikon a little - its all good - a price war is just what the consumer needs :-) confusing and overlapping product lines isnt :-(

yeah the 5D sure looks nice, but i could never afford it. I also see no way how its replaceing the 20D seeing how its 3X as much money.. hm... I do agree that it is replacing the 1D MarkII.

The 5D is intriguing and looks like a good bridge between the 20D and 1Ds Mark II.

It however won't replace the 1D Mark II since it does not offer features like 45 point AF, 8 fps, etc. Canon has reserved these features exclusively for the 1-series bodies. Even with the introduction of the 1D Mark II’s replacement, the 1D Mark II N, the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary. The 1D, 1D Mark II and the new 1D Mark II N are/were all targeted at sports photographers and photojournalists. Eight megapixels is really the upper limit of file sizes necessary for these two fields of photography. Now the only changes Canon can really make to the 1D (excluding the 1Ds series) are small refinements that every Mark II owner can appreciate. It is, however, encouraging to see Canon so receptive to the grievances of their professional customer base.

Personally, I won't be upgrading any time soon, or at least not until they come out with a Mark III that has mind-reading AF technology and 15 fps. :P

be careful what you wish for :-)

But like I said on another post. Just wait till Kodak realeses the new aray system. I'm wondering how it will work not being a charged cupling array.

The only thing I've heard about Kodak doing is having IBM and/or TSMC produce new CMOS sensors (Canon already uses their own CMOS sensors in DSLRs). Kodak's design is newer, so perhaps once they're available we'll see what improvement has come from it.

Outside of those making a living from photography; I don't really see too much point getting sucked into the upgrade war. Minolta released their first Dig SLR the 7D a year ago at £1200/$1500 and now it is £650/$999 (I know I bought it!) and they have a new 5D (not to be confused with Canon!!) for less at the same megapixels. All the companies will keep pushing the megapixel envelope (seen the Mamyia ZD 22mp?) but like the latest Intel or Athlon 3 years later the price for that model has crashed. Basically if you spend 3000 on a 12 or 18 or 22mp SLR you will be paying 2000 for 2 year's use IMHO....because 2-3 years later that same techology will be 1000 or less.

Just a thought

Alex

thats correct - as we have discussed on other threads - its often amore a case of filtering the cool stuff to us lesser mortals at a later date. If you are a busy full time photographer though its a relatively minor investment :-)

now Phil your held high as a god here on the sight. Now I know your blushing by now and your hats feeling a little tight right now. So get over it.

moi? :-)

LOL !

I hired a few, er, friends of mine for a little wet-work. Canon won't be making that mistake again... ;-)

Unless I am misinformed (which is quite possible), the 20D was ready for an upgrade while the 1D was supposed to sit tight for another 18 months. Logical thought process suggests that the 30D should be released in addition to the 5D.

The 5D seems to be aimed at the same target market as the new 1D Mark II N, yet designed to appeal to those less informed. Most willing to put that much cash down are also willing to do the research, but it can be easy to mistake megapixels for value (speaking from personal experience). On the other hand, it looks like a pretty decent camera. What it lacks in burst speed is made up for in burst capacity. The megapixels would be nice if storage was no issue. I will refrain to partially-disliking in an effort to subdue selfishness and egocentricism. It is the perfect camera for some people, just not me. :-D

I guess I wasn't holding on to my hat tight enough, because now it is sitting in a mud puddle...

in the usual Canon product lifecycle - the 20D isnt actually due for replacement till around March/April. Canon seam to be marketing the 5 squarely at portrait and wedding photographers who dont fancy the full stretch to the 1DS Mark II...

Ahh. Thanks for the heads up. :-)

I was going to pik up the 20D but I have always had nikon. I have a d1x and a d100 I will now be getting the D2X in the next 2 months It has enough speed and easy and very flexible. Beside I have all nikon glass.

If you look at the timing of the announcements of Canon's pro bodies, it appears that they are often in sync with the Olympic years. The EOS system was introduced in 1987, just in time for the 1988 Calgary / Seoul games, the EOS-1D was in time for Salt Lake City, the 1D Mark II for Athens, and now the Mark II N for Torino. We may not see a new, fast, 1-series (or equivalent) body until late 2007 or early 2008...

Phil's absolutely right, the 5 is aimed at the wedding and studio/commercial photographers, although some photojournalists might find it appealing for wide angle work. And at roughly half the price of the 1Ds mark II, it's a viable alternative.

The Mark II N, though, is for sports/news where speed matters, the 5D is purely for those who need the combo of resolution and full frame capability.

It's interesting that they chose to modify the 10/20D body (and include all of the things that us pros bi*$% about, like the plastic, sliding CF card door, etc.) as opposed to completely redesigning a body for the 5D that's closer to a 1-Series one. I suppose that is what enables it to be half the price of the 1Ds Mark II though.

Personally, Canon has some really great camera's out there (I have 4), but now I'm waiting on their digitals for eye control like in their Elan IIe and the EOS3. By then maybe the war of the megapixels will have slowed down.