Since about two months, the web is ringing with a rumor about a possible new high-end pro Canon SLR camera soon to be disclosed: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Let’s summarize what we have and let’s evaluate the probability of each of the possible features.
- Launch date: Two possibilities, either September 29th, 2009 (Canon intends to make a spectacular presentation and some think that this could well be the upcoming Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, but it could also be a product from another Canon branch, like printers), or beginning of 2010, probably in March, just after the 2010 Winter Olympics which would be used as a pro test platform (I doubt it could be as precise as that right now, but the event sequence is credible and quite in line with Canon habits).
- Full Frame sensor: This is nearly certain, pros would not accept something else now, but it would call for a dual DIGIC V in order to sustain high-speed continuous shooting (I heard 10 frames/s).
- 100% viewfinder: Compulsory.
- 20-zone AF system (and many more non-selectable AF assist sensors).
- 3″ LCD VGA display (I heard OLED technology display, but the interest would still be very marginal).
- Compatibility with CompactFlash & SD memory cards (normal today)
- 1080p video (24i/s, 25i/s, 30i/s)
Obviously, we will have to wait a little more to know. But, we also have to remember that this will be a camera for a high-flying class of pro (or rich) photographers.
Canon Press Event September 29, 2009 : “biggest and most important launches in history“. From CR forum
Comments
3 responses to “Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, review of rumors”
“Full Frame sensor: This is nearly certain, pros would not accept something else now…”
Not so certain, is it?
Now that the 1D Mark IV is out and it’s still APS-H, do you believe pros will not buy it?
Richard,
Obviously, I should have been less affirmative. Anyway, the trend to larger sensors with more sensititvity is clearly an important one, and Nikon is already actively pumping in this direction.