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p.3 #11 · Possible new Canon DSLR in the fall - What would you like to see? | |
I would not hang too much on the release cycles up 'til now. Unlike others, I think Canon DSLRs are post-adolescent, and I think the cycles will slow in terms of real performance/image quality upgrades. They may continue to release new versions, but the changes will be incremental (USB 2.0 to Firewire, or a new DIG!C).
Earlier, Canon had three major issues to overcome in their DSLRs:
1. Compared to 35mm, the DSLR cameras had very slow handling characteristics.
3. Compared to 35mm, the DSLR cameras lacked in quality up to A3 enlargements (larger than that was not a primary issue).
4. Compared to 35mm, image quality varied too radically across the DSLR line.
It was necessary to overcome all these issues as quickly as possible, yet continue to sell cameras while doing so. Thus we saw short cycles and radical improvements in either image quality or handling with each cycle. As of the release of the 350XT, all three of these issues have been met. We are effectively "there" in terms of matching 35mm performance for most purposes.
The last major "handling" issue will be an 8fps 24x36mm 1D camera at $5000, which at least two Canon Japan execs have said is coming. The Canon-Spain execs hinted at a possible "October surprise" of a completely new camera in the lineup, but their hint was extremely specious.
This doesn't mean Canon won't continue to improve their cameras, but as we've seen with computers, the improvements won't be those that will greatly change the capabilities of the camera (think of the changes from the F-1 to the F-1n to the New F-1, or the various AE-1 models as examples).
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