EOS 5D Mark 3

Information about Canon's replacement for the EOS 5D Mark 2

Or maybe 5D X rumours?

31st January 2012

5D Mk3 rumours

2012 February

• 2nd Release date rumours we've received continue to run the gamut of next week, through to the Autumn. Little new reliable info as to specs, although most comments received seem to be going for 18MP or 22 MP.

January

• 31st A suggestion received (thanks) not to expect deliveries of a 5D3 until October.
  • Whilst we've had numerous suggestions that it would be after the 1D X, this is the first for a while that's pushed it back towards Photokina (from an August announcement?)
• 30th It may not be long till we finally get to see some 1D X sample images, but a 5D3 recedes from the 7th... [CR]
• 28th No firm dates yet, although the 7th seems widely popular (but a reminder that popularity alone doesn't make it much more reliable ;-)
• 25th Once again, we've been hearing (thanks) that the only DSLR for CP+ will be the 650D/T4i and that the 5D3 won't be announced until after the 1D X ships...
• I've seen no firm dates -yet- for any Canon announcements that suggest otherwise.
• Meanwhile, lots of comment on those buttons in the camera pictures, but no more actual news or specs...
  • Perhaps I shouldn't admit it but I just looked at the buttons on my 1Ds3 and realised there are 7 buttons I've never used [when taking pictures] on a job :-) Guess I'll need to read the manual again when the 1D X turns up... (no prize BTW for identifying the 7)

Info: I've set up a LinkedIn group (~2.5k members) for people interested in any aspects of Digital Black and White photography: Digital Black and White Keith gets our UK used Canon equipt. from: USA used - B&H | Adorama

• 24th We've had several more comments saying that the 5D3 will be announced before CP+ at the start of February, although some are still suggesting a few months time.
• I've also been told (thanks) that 22MP is a 'magic number' for for HD video, as it corresponds exactly to a 3x3 oversampling of the final video resolution. (22 MP, minus crop for 16:9 ratio, divided by 9, equal 1080x1920) - The next number would be 39MP resolution (4x4 oversamping)
• In a followup post [AA], there is more information from Stephen Oachs, who took the photos in Kenya. He's made a RAW version of one of the photos available and emphasised his lack of connection with Canon.
• • I wish I could say that large crowds of camera fans on the internet were all reasonable and rational people, but given some of the bizzare comments I've received in the past, I'd just wait for it to blow over and for the next thing to hit the news.
• Here's part of Stephen's image showing a lot of detail of the back of a new camera
• Open this version (new window) to see more (2k pixels wide)

• 23rd Real news!...
• The 200-400 is spotted
• being tested with a new body that might be the 5D3 [AA] Lens launch is slated for March/April.
• Or is it a 7D mk2?
• Lots more photos at AA
  • BTW - do make a point of reading the whole blog post before wandering through the flights of fancy alrady filling some forums ;-)
• We're told that Canon won't be going for a very high MP FF DSLR until that 4k 'concept' camera is a reality (with a 30+MP sensor to get 'cleaner' 4k video)
• We're also getting slightly more detailed suggestions for the 5D2 replacement, with several pointing to 22MP (or virtually the same as in the 5D2), and one even adding "61 Focus points (41 Cross) same as 1D X, 100-25600 Basic ISO, 6 fps" - Suggested date was March 7th.
  • Sounds much too close to the 1D X specs which still won't have shipped by then... but I'm still getting MP estimates from 18 to 40.
    Nothing solid yet from any known sources, so extra pinches of salt to be taken ;-)
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  Once the rumour volumes rise, you start finding more circular rumours, particularly amongst the wider ranging 'Tech blogs' which have a habit of grabbing snippets and posting them with upgraded certainty levels [UG], only to be then further quoted, and mailed to those of us collecting rumours ;-)
• Note this 5D3 info [TJO] which has no indication of sources, so I'm not sure to what extent it's based on other stuff I've seen [CR via Egami] or get sent.
  • Just saying... navigate the rumoursphere with a good deal of scepticism.

• 20th Several comments have suggested that an all new version of the 24-70/2.8L will be a kit option for the 5D3 (or 5D X as several would like to call it).
  • I note that 24-70 replacement rumours pops up very regularly, although this time, IS hasn't been mentioned. I was just looking at the archives and notice both 24-70 and 100-400 replacements being mentioned back in 2007.
  • I'm not holding my breath...

• 19th More 5D3 rumour chatter [CR], meanwhile we're told that the 5D2 replacement will be on view at the UK Focus show in March, which would suggest a launch for CP+
  • I'm going to the show, which also should also see Olympus's new take on the 'OM' brand and maybe a D800 on view. I'm not rating this 5D3 for Focus rumour too highly at the moment, given we were told that it would appear -after- the 1DX started shipping.
  • I note too the prices suggested for the D800 with ($3k) and without AA filter ($3k9) offer a splendid new revenue stream for higher end cameras.
• 18th Whilst there was lots of chat about the 5D Mk2 replacement at the recent PMA/CES show, I've seen little in the way of sound rumours or the degree of concerted 'leaks' that we've seen for the D800.
  • BTW We're still getting sent regular 'rumours' for a camera that will be announced some time between next week and the Autumn, with anything from 18 to 42MP.
  • ...Whatever happened to the good reliable leaks with full specifications and pictures! :-)
• 9th With mirrorless info and the new Canon G1X, it's been noticed that Canon's raft of press info today did not contain any EF lens or DSLR related news. The next trade show in the list would be CP+ from 9-12 February 2012, at the Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, but the only suggestions we've had was for a 650D and maybe a lens or two. No 5D2 replacement hints at all.

2012 January 1st New years greetings to all visitors!

• I'm minded to believe that we will finally get to see a replacement for the 5D mk2 within a few months (but not until after the 1D X ships). We've had suggestions that the 5D2 replacement will not be a particularly high megapixel sensor and that the success of any high MP Nikon D800 will influence the arrival of a high MP EOS camera, but not this year.
• See also latest on the 3D
  • As yet though no firm specs or price suggestions for the 5D2 follow up. I should note too that we've subsequently had a comment from a previous source disagreeing with the lower MP 5D3 option - still no specs though...

2011 December

• 28th We're told (thanks) to expect a 5D2 replacement 'in our hands' for the summer, and that the 7D2 is slated to be 'one of' photokina's star products for Canon .
• Meanwhile, at CR there is a suggestion of a March/April announcement for the 5D3. It's also pointed out that the video oriented NAB show is 14-19 April in Vegas
• The only other firm product info we've seen is to expect built in spectros as an option in some of Canon's upcoming large format printers (see Canon printer info)
• 15th In the UK the 5D mk2 at Amazon.uk is down to ~£1460 (body)
• 14th In the US, there are continuing price cuts for the 5D mk2, B&H has dropped the price of the 5D Mark II body once again. 5D Mark II Body Only - B&H for $1999.95. The 5D Mark II kit is still $2799 (B&H)
• 6th There are suggestions that the 5D3 will be over 30MP [CR]
  • Interesting to see that there seem to be two current schools of 5D3 rumours big MP or 18MP and video. All the high MP rumours we've seen so far though have been much more of wishlists than the 18MP ones.
• 1st If, like me, you're curious about the 1D X really being a true replacement for the 1Ds3, and how this fits with the 18MP 5D3 comments below, then there is a Japanese interview with the 1D X developers [DCW , Google xlt]
• The jist of the bit about the 1Ds3 and a move to MF is (I believe):
  • "While we hear the voices, we want to see what the actual sales numbers will be for the 1D X and so determine how many 10,000s of customers we might be losing if we do not introduce a higher resolution camera and if the projected profitability of a higher resolution 24x36 mm format camera will justify development, marketing, and manufacturing investments , or if there is a sustainable market for the even greater costs of development, marketing, and manufacturing medium format cameras and lenses - an area where we have no internal expertise."
• In other words: don't count on a much higher resolution camera anytime soon but it is not an absolute "no".
• [From this item's G+ discussion - please feel free to contribute any more translations/comments]

November

• 30th The 'video concept camera' is not the same as the 5D3, says Canon in a BJP interview
• 29th We're told (thanks) that the 5D2 replacement will be aimed at 'cleaning up' in the DSLR video market, complementing the video specific 1 series mentioned at the recent Hollywood announcement. It was also suggested that it would not be any more than 18MP, and that any higher MP camera was 'quite some time off'.
  • With no details on specs, I'm assuming that any 5D3 isn't coming in the next few months.
• 19th Whilst we've heard of some bodies being out for testing, at CR they've heard of at least 5. Most 5D2 replacement comments we've had still point to an August/September announcement, although at CR they mention Summer 'availability'.
  • Whether Canon will pull back from their current strategy of announcing higher end products long before they are available, remains to be seen. How much of this is cynical marketing policy and how much genuine difficulties resulting from events this year, remains unknown.
• 8th The next DSLR we're expecting from Canon is the 650D - February?
• No signs yet of any full frame camera until well after the 1D X is shipping.
  • When you get your 5D3, why not convert your old 5D2 to infrared? I've been experimenting with one and written up some of my thoughts about luminous trees ;-)
  • - 5D2 converted to Infrared
• 5th In Germany, Calumet is offering to refund money spent on a 5D2 if a 5D3 is announced by the end of the year - probably a pretty safe bet ;-)
• 4th CPN technical info on the new c300 video cameras.
• Canon start to directly supply rumour market... ;-)
• This waiting for me in a Canon press release when I got up this morning.
  • TOKYO, November 4 / HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011—Canon Inc. today announced that the company is developing a new-concept EOS-series digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Incorporating an enhanced version of the video-capture capability offered in the current EOS-series line-up, the new camera will be ideally suited for cinematographic and other digital high-resolution production applications. The model will be equipped with a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and, enabling the recording of 4K video* (at a frame rate of 24P, with Motion-JPEG compression), will make possible the type of exceptional image quality and sublime imaging expression to be expected from the next generation of “EOS Movies.”
  • The announcement coincides with the launch of the Cinema EOS System, marking Canon’s full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry. The new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital video camcorder and digital SLR camera product categories.
  • Further details regarding the new EOS digital SLR camera currently under development, including the product name, specifications and scheduled launch date, have yet to be decided.
  • EOS Movie: A New Industry Standard
    Movie recording has been a standard feature in all newly introduced Canon EOS-series digital SLR cameras since the launch of the EOS 5D Mark II in November 2008. Coupled with the diverse array of lenses in Canon’s current interchangeable EF lens line-up, this feature has heralded rich visual expressive possibilities, delivering such characteristics as beautiful image blur and low noise while also garnering kudos for the mobility and manoeuvrability made possible through the cameras’ compact and lightweight body designs.
  • The impressive images created by the combination of Canon EOS digital SLR cameras and EF lenses, known as “EOS Movies,” have already earned their screen credentials on the sets of multiple productions, from television commercials and artist promotion videos to episodic dramas and even major motion pictures.
  • * Cropped to APS-H-equivalent size (dimensions measuring approximately 80% vertically and horizontally of a 35 mm full-frame sensor) when recording in 4K.
• 2nd We've seen no good 5D2 replacement rumours of late... but, there is a good rumour collection that suggests that a 5D3 -will- be announced tomorrow [WOC]
• • * There will be at least two cameras announced, possibly three.
    * PL and EF for sure. I also think a 5D3 will be “announced” but not shown.
    * A Set of Canon Prime Lenses will be shown. All manual capability.*** This is Big.
    * We already know about two PL zooms shown at NAB 2011.
    * Removable LCD.
    * No 60P Full HD. Only 720
    * 4:2:2 with 4:4:4 Upgrade as an additional upgrade.
    * $10K plus for the EF model and up to $15K for the PL version.
    * I think the 5D3 will be a little higher than 5D2 at around $3K.
    * There will be less expensive models to follow.
• Interesting, although I'm minded to thing that a 5D2 replacement 'announcement only', would seriously dent what are still (I'm told) very healthy 5Dmk2 sales.

All our technical Canon info (sensor predictions etc) is currently ('08) on the 60D page.

What does the 5D Mk2 replacement have to beat?

21MP CMOS sensor (similar but newer design to EOS-1Ds Mark III)
Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III and 5D max ISO 3200)
Auto ISO (100 - 3200)
3.9 FPS continuous shooting
DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
Image processing features:
Highlight tone priority
Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
RAW / JPEG selection made separately
Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
Image copyright metadata support
98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
3.0" 920,000 dot LCD monitor with 'Clear View' cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
New jump options in play mode
HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
UDMA CompactFlash support
New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Other (real :-) info and stuff on this site

Using your film scanner as a microscope
A Canon 1Ds pinhole camera
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