Via Photography Bay, it seems Canon’s German site posted some information for a short period of time, and though its in German, looks like 16 MP and due in June. We’ve been expecting an announcement around April 22nd or 24th from other rumors. More details as we get them. Check out the story and more screenshots here.
Update: Obviously nothing happened on either the 22nd or 24th… I’m not at all happy about it… I want my 5D Mark II dammit! We will of course keep you updated with any new developments.
I think the 16MP number would make a lot of sense for a couple of reasons:
1. Provided there’s an improvement in High-ISO performance, etc, anyone looking to buy the used 1Ds MkII’s out there will likely consider a 5D MkII instead. (the 1DsII was 16.7MP, IIRC) Canon would *much* rather folks buy new models from them as opposed to second hand from another consumer!
2. The image quality of the 40D has matched that of the 5D according to several reports I’ve read, the main one being luminous-landscape.com. Whether or not this is 100% accurate at the per-pixel level doesn’t make a difference to me - it’s the end results that matter & the bits people squabble over don’t show up in print! The point is that Canon needs to widen the gap between the 40D and the 5DII if they plan on maintaining this model.
Ryan D., regarding your second point:
I could have the imaging mechanics wrong, but here’s how I see it…
A 5D is full frame (35mm) while a 40D is a cropped sensor (24mm). If both the 5D and 40D have 12+MP sizes, wouldn’t the 5D’s be better/clearer (less noise/artifacting) since the sensor is larger and capturess the full projection of the lens? The 40D essentially “stretches” what it sees (cropped) up to the 12+MP size. Kind of like if you take a projector and move it back from the wall to make it larger… It lessens the quality.
At any rate, I am baffled at photographers who lay out good money for an L series, wide-angle EF lens, and then use it on a Rebel/XT/XTi/20D/30D/40D. You’re only getting part of the image.
Hi Rex -
Be careful not to confuse the concept of a “crop factor” with that of “digital zoom”. The former is what you get with the smaller-sensor cameras like the 40D, while the latter is what you get when you stretch things out.
A crop factor doesn’t necessarily sacrifice any image quality, at least not in the way you suggest. The smaller sensor merely sees a smaller portion of the image circle projected by a 35mm lens - there is no stretching involved.
In theory, a larger sensor with the same megapixels will have larger photosites and this can create some benefit. However, in the case of the 5D v. the 40D this doesn’t turn out to be terribly significant. Take a look at the info at the following URL and especially some of the discussion in the last section of the article.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/canon-40D-handson.shtml
@Rex
I think Ryan D is spot on the first part of your comment, but to add, the larger the sensor, the less noise… I’ve seen articles that go over this in great detail, if I come across again, I’ll let you know.
Regarding why people with cropped sensors buy L lenses, Its all about the quality. L lenses are professional glass with MUCH higher quality glass, better contrast, better colors etc etc etc than most budget lenses. Add in weather sealing, better build quality and you have your answer.
In addition, lenses are an investment, much more than a body. Bodies come and go, but lenses, when they are of high quality, will last for many, many years. Personally, I’m baffled why anyone would NOT buy the highest quality glass they can afford regardless of sensor size… Imagine getting a whole kit of lenses built for cropped sensors and you one day buy a full frame camera… you have to re-buy everything!
Ryan Dlugosz wrote: A crop factor doesn’t necessarily sacrifice any image quality, at least not in the way you suggest. The smaller sensor merely sees a smaller portion of the image circle projected by a 35mm lens - there is no stretching involved.
Rex: Oh, I completely understand that, but what I mean was if you FRAMED the same image on a full frame vs. the same image resulting from a cropped sensor, the one from the full frame would be better… From my understanding. Maybe my analogy didn’t relay what I meant.
I’ll read your link.
Hmmm, my last post didn’t get posted. Anyway, in it I basically relayed that it’s not the purchase of the “L” series that baffles me… I understand that. Great GLASS!!! My wonderment was at the purchasing of EF mounted wide angle lenses for cropped sensors. But, your point about the “L” series does applies to this also as I could see it as an investment should they buy a full frame down the line.
OK, I went into my local Mom and Pop camera shop last week to buy lens tissues, etc. I asked them when they would start carrying the 5D Mark II and they said that Canon said they can’t take advanced orders, or even talk about its release date, etc.
So, I think it is going to happen sometime soon…
They’d better hurry and release it before I buy a used 5D for my second/backup body.