garyvot
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justruss wrote:
I think the 1Dx makes a lot of sense.
(Obviously, just my opinion... only saying that since the FM crowd seems to be in one of its snappy phases.)
The 1-series body (size/weight/sealing/bombproofness) mainly makes sense for shooters who don't need miles and miles of resolution (even for most professional DSLR uses, by volume, 12 MP is probably more than enough) anyway. It's for sports, crazy weather conditions, daily high-volume shooting, and long lenses.
In my opinion-- since at least the DSLR days-- the 1Ds series has been moving ever more closer to odd duck status. The 1D always made more sense: faster, lower MP... for people who need to get the shot, not people who are going to take their time to set up the shot and soak up as much resolution as possible. The 1D, and now the 1Dx, is about getting the shot not matter what: AF, DR, ISO. The 18 MP is enough for almost all uses one can envision with a DSLR for professional purposes.
And let's remember that the 1-series are squarely aimed at professional uses-- though plenty of amateur shoots (specially on a gear board) use 'em anyway. That's part of the reason I think the 1DSIII doesn't make a lot of sense.
I see the 5-series follow-up, whether it's a mkIII or a new camera altogether (3D, or some other name) taking over the high-megapixel crown in the Canon lineup. I expect it to retain and improve on the video performance for up to moderate (previously ultra high) ISO, but shine in the lower ISO ranges (an area where Canon has made compromises in the past because it tried to make the 5-series a low-light wonder). The 1Dx will be the new low-light video and still king. The 5D follow-up will be the normal to moderate light pure image quality king. I expect the 5D follow-up to get better AF-- but not 1-series quality. There's plenty of complaining about the 5Dmk2 here in terms of AF... but for the vast, vast majority of uses, even those professional ones-- and notably those this camera is designed for (not sports)-- the AF is great.
New lineup would look something like:
(Potential MF; doubtful, but possible in the 2 to 5 year range)
1DX - "get the shot" with great but not "pure IQ" king. This is a pure utility, professional shooter's camera. Studio photogs will either be OK with the 5D follow-up, or be in the category where a MF (phase 1, leaf) is the go to equipment. This is how the 1-series should be. Fewer deep-pocket amateurs will buy it, because it will be even less suited now than before for what they do. It will confer fewer bragging rights-- but do what pros need better than ever before. Perfect! (Upshot is that Canon might keep developing this camera with pros in mind, and stop this nonsense of trying to please amateur shooters; ultimately... better for almost everyone.)
5D-follow-up - pure IQ king, in still and video (at normal to moderate light/ISO levels). It will not be the "get every shot no matter what" camera, and while it will continue to shine in low-light, it really won't be able to compete with the 1Dx in this area. Those amateurs who flocked to the 1-series before will move down to here, in a camera that suits them better (I'd argue that highly skilled amateurs are, on the whole, more skewed towards technical perfection in IQ than pros; pros are more skewed towards getting the shot... and composition of the shot... than technical perfection). Many pros will continue to use this camera too, those like me, who travel, and have an emphasis on IQ over "getting the shot" every single time. Video will be superb for when you can set up your shots and control the environment; 1DX will be better for video where you are going in with no idea what you're gonna be shooting in (or when you go intending to shot only stills, but you decide you need some moving images).
7D - Some kind of crop, I'd guess 90% it stays 1.6 and not 1.3 (EF-s lenses, and "reach"). It'll be a mini 1Dx in a lot of ways. Perfect for higher-end family, travel shoots. Fine for weddings. Fine as a backup/2nd for many pro shooters who don't go 1D/1D or 1D/5D. Wouldn't be surprised if it continues to have better moving AF than the 5D-follow-up.
And below that, the ever shifting world of XXD, XXXD, and XXXXD.
The end result is a simpler camera line-up at the top. Better differentiation regarding whom each camera is for (1Ds/5D confluence was a bit crazy IMO). Better development in the future, aiming at specific uses rather than trying to make each camera a master of everything-- while crippling counter-parts in certain areas to retain rounded sales, and fuller price-points, along the full line-up. It's a win. ...Show more →
+1. Agree fully. I've posted this before, but never so eloquently and cogently stated. 
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But I still love it.