Canon 1D Xs

Canon 1D Xs rumours

Is the 18MP 1D X really part of Canon's desire to challenge Medium Format?

Will we see something with more MP, not aimed at the sports photographer?

For previous higher MP rumours, see our 1Ds3 replacement page

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

• 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.

	Sensor	2000				2001				2002				2003				2004				2005				2006				2007				2008				2009				2010				2011				2012
		1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4
Flagship	Full												1Ds							1Ds Mk II												1Ds Mk III																	1Dx
	APS-H							1D										1D Mk II							1D Mk II N					1D Mk III											1D Mk IV
High	Full																							5D												5D Mk II														5D3
	APS-C																																							7D
'Better'			D30							D60				10D						20D						30D						40D				50D								60D
Mid																300D Digital Rebel Kiss Digital						350D Digital Rebel XT Kiss Digital N						400D Digital Rebel XTi Kiss Digital X						450D Rebel XSi Kiss X2				500D Rebel T1i Kiss X3				550D Rebel T2i Kiss X4				600D Rebel T3i
Entry																																			1000D Rebel XS Kiss F											1100D Rebel T3

Note: dates start in announcement quarter, not shipping dates.

Video capable | Digic | Digic 2 | Digic 3 dual | Digic 4 dual | Digic 5 dual