Canon 1D Xs (or 1Ds X)

See also our long running EOS-3D page, which has additional information

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2013 March

• 24th We're told [thanks] that a 'preview announcement' for a high MP camera is likely for September/October, along similar lines to announcements associated with some of the recent EOS video cameras [hopefully not for a timescale like the 200-400 lens] and that it is currently most likely at around 47MP, although 39MP and '50+' versions are in test. The camera is dependent on technologies that will appear later this year in the 7D Mk2.
  • Given the distant time frame I'm still only giving this a 'that would be nice' level of confidence, even though it's from someone I've known for a while. Plans change, but I was told that the D4x was seen as a very definite competitor.

February

• 6th In a flurry of information (from people I've actually heard from before), we're told that there will be a high MP 1 Series style body [thanks], but it won't be shipping until well into 2014. This ties in with another comment that this year is one for 'the small DSLRs'.
  • Time for the D800 inspired clamour to quieten down again? Well, at least until any 36MP D4x...

January

• 1st A general collection of what to expect from Canon rumours appeared on the Xitec forum in China. - see the Impress magazine page on the main Canon rumours page
• Canon 7D Mark II may come with newly developed CMOS sensor, 10fps continuous shooting speed and ISO expendable upto 25600.
  Canon 70D will have same sensor / ISO range as 7D Mark II, but its continuous shooting speed limited to 3fps.
  Canon EOS M2 will arrive on 2013
  Canon 1DSx is also expected to arrive at 2013.

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2012 December

• 30th Currently I'm putting 'high megapixel' rumour info on the EOS-3D page

October

• 25th Some thoughts about what probably needs to change, in a look at Canon's relatively dated semiconductor processes for full frame sensors (main Canon rumours page)
• 21st Whilst we've heard nothing more about any impending announcement (other than there would be no actual product launch), we've had several observations of camera testing, pointing to (at least) 2 different full frame sensors currently in circulation.
• From the US, a 39MP sensor in a 1 series body, has apparently been used for several test video productions.
• In the Far East, two other comments both pointed to 'well over 50' MP, once again in a 1 series body.
• All stressed that these were not production model test cameras.
  • Whether we do get the previously hinted at 'technology development' camera soon is far from clear. We're probably too far away from any product launch (and lengthy wait for shipping) for anything we're seeing at the moment to be much more than engineering tests.
  • There's part of me still inclined to believe there are a lot of 'wish list' rumours about - unless you know differently ;-)
• 11th Suggestions [CR] that any high MP camera mentions will be no more than a 'technology development' style of announcement for the time being.
• 7th New Canon high MP camera rumours seem to be popping up all over the place.
• But what to call the camera?

• 6th The latest suggested name for a high MP canon camera is the EOS-1S [CR]
  • I note the low reliability rating and the $9000 price tag. At £5.5k, that's pretty steep, but if it gave the sort of MF nudging performance we've been hearing of, then I'd not dismiss it so quickly for our business (unlike the 1D X)

September

• 28th In an update to the high MP info, we're told [thanks] that a camera will eventually appear in a 1D X derived body, in the same way as the 1D C. The information said that the actual designation was not known, but it would essentially be a '1 series'. There was also a warning that there would be a long wait between any 'preview' and any cameras [sic.] being annouced and subsequently shipping.
  • Once again, this fits with info sent here and to CR, but no actual details , so still a big pinch of salt rating...
• 26th More high MP rumours at CR - perhaps ties in with some of what we've seen recently (1D Xs or 3D - take your pick)
• 23rd Comments received about a high MP camera - no mention of body though, so put the info on the 3D page.
• 12th We're told [thanks] that Canon's high MP camera will -not- be a new body style, as in the various 3D rumours we've seen, but will see the latest version of the 1 series body.
• It's suggested that there will be a preview of this camera at a post Photokina event, with the emphasis on resolution, dynamic range and a true challenge to digital MF.
• The camera is aimed at showing 'clear technical leadership'.
• • Whilst I've heard lots of '3D' and '6D' related rumours of late, this one does at least come from someone I've met, although they did suspect that it came originally from someone at Canon 'stirring the rumour pond'. We were told in 2011, when the 1D X was announced , that nothing in the high MP category would appear until at least 2013. Anyway, not long to wait and see if this one has any legs...

August

• 22nd A 47MP 3D X is suggested
• 19th A high MP (40+) test camera in a 1D X body is reportedly seen at the olympics [CR]

July 2012

• 25th Camera store rumours for a slower version of the 1D X [Potn]
• Next year for a 32MP 1Ds 4...
• • I think Canon did mean it for real when they killed off the Ds line at 1D X announcement.
• • The cameras we're hearing of are an 'introductory level' full frame option - lets call it an EOS6D and a high MP 'studio' FF camera, which given its inspiration (the D800 amd 800E) I'll put into our longest running (2004) EOS3D category.
• • I'm still happy with my 1Ds3 and recently decided to listen to the advice I've given others for years and skip this upgrade cycle, when I cancelled my 1D X order

April 2012

• 26th Whilst I'm not a great believer in the ultimate effectiveness of on-line petitions, I'm happy to support this one that points out that not everyone thinks the 1D X is the answer to their professional needs...

February 2012

• 20th Even with the D800 coming in at 36MP, we've not heard a thing about any 1 series camera at this sort of resolution.
• The 5D3 (or 5D X if you wish) seems a popular expectation for the next few weeks, and there is a 650D due some time, along with the Canon 'concept video DSLR, and even a 7Dmk2.
• A Canon exec in Japan recently admitted [link] what was widely suspected in that the 1D X was essentially a full frame 1D mk5 and firmly aimed at the sports/PJ market - whilst of the D800, there was a 'we could do that' comment.

November - 2011

• 19th In a comment I'm told came from a Nikon rep, it was said that 'Canon was handing Nikon the top end of the market on a plate' with the move to the 1D X
• • Just how much this was bravado from someone with no D4 to point to, I do wonder ;-)
• Meanwhile [CR] there is mention of 5 FF bodies out for testing
• • 5D2 replacement being my top guess, followed by 3D and 1D Xs - yes I currently rate the appearance of a 1D Xs as less likely than the mythical 3D...
• 14th I'm told (thanks) that the 'challenge' to digital MF is not over. There are still test bodies out there with 'far more MP' oriented to studio use, but that these are not actual models, and not to expect to see anything 'for real' in the 'pro' line until at least 2013.
• It seems that the 5D2 did indeed hit 1Ds3 sales enough to make a 1Ds4 (as planned) just not good enough to go with. It was confirmed that the Olympics and Canon's big customers were the driving force for many 1D X design choices. Lack of direct competition from Nikon and what was known about the (delayed) D4 were also a push to make the 1D X a bigger jump than 'just the next 1D'.
• There was no info about how a follow-on to the 5D mk2 fits in with all this.
• • This ties in with other info I've had, suggesting that if I want to replace my 1Ds3, then I've the choice of a 1D X or quite a long wait.

October

• 28th Another comment (thanks) telling me to expect a 'better' camera announcement for Q1/Q2 next year.
• • I'm minded to think that announcing a 'studio' version of the 1D X some time -after- the 1D X starts shipping and people wanting to replace their 1Ds3s have bought one, would not be a well received move.
• 23rd Speculation about a higher MP camera seems to be concentrating on the 5D3 or even the mythical 3D
• 19th We're told (thanks) that a much higher resolution camera was being tested earlier this year, but events in Japan, the upcoming Olympics and Nikon D4 mean that any studio version of the 1D X is 'some time away'.
• • I note in the timeline below that the 1Ds was announced over a year after the 1D. At the moment I'm not giving too much credence to Xs rumours, but I am getting a lot of queries as to whether the new 1D X is -really- aimed at studio and architectural users?
• 18th Today, the 1D X was announced - finally the 1D and 1Ds lines were amalgamated. Curiously enough, we've already been sent some details of Canon's future plans for this camera.
• • "... 1DX represents Canon's biggest break from the previous 1 Series for many years, with a lot of new design features.
• • There will be a studio version late next year or early 2013 with 40+ megapixels.
• • Canon still aims to challenge digital medium format backs. The 1D X is Canon's response to the Nikon D4"
• Well, I suppose it does fit with what Canon have said in the past, but I'll await more on this before I'll give it too much credence.
• Updates...
• Similar suggestions [BKI] - suggesting that the studio version might be for the Nov 3rd event, although the Hollywood location hints at video for myself.