what's next for Canon

[Groundworxs]

This has been a great year for new releases. What is to come in the future. Have they abandoned the CCD format for good or is there a new model around the corner. I don't have inside info just wondering. What do you think?

Cheers

[ScottE]

Canon is likely to continue using CMOS rather than CCD because although the costs of developing a CMOS chip are higher than CCD, the production costs are much lower. Since Canon currently seems to be selling cameras faster than they can produce them (I am still waiting for my 20D) it is likely they will stick with the lower production costs. See the following article on DALSA, one of the major chip producing companies.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/dalsa.shtml

I think that an 8 mp 300D class camera is inevitable, considering that the 6 mp 10D and 1D have been increased to 8 mp and the 5 mp G3 and S60 have been upgraded to 7 mp in new modes. As soon as Canon starts to catch up with production demands for the 20D they are likely to slap the 8 mp CMOS sensor into a Rebel.

I read somewhere that Nikon will be bringing out a 12 mp D2X (or whatever) professional camera with a 1.5x cropping factor. This does not really compare with the 16 mp 1DS Mk II full frame camera, but Canon is not likely to let Nikon have any competitive advantage for too long. The logical competitive step would be a 12 mp 1D Mk III, followed by 12 mp versions in the 20D and 300D lines. (Remember my firt paragraph - once they design the CMOS chip, production costs become more economical for large volumes.)

[Hellashot]

According to their brochures, their CMOS sensors use 90% less power than their CCD sensors. So from that I'd have to say they are only going to do CMOS.

[FlyingPete]

Does anyone know if it is true that a CMOS sensor is not ideal for non SLR type cameras, due to issues getting a constant data feed of them to drive a LCD or EVF (electronic view finder), which is obviously not an issue with an SLR?

I believe this is one of the reasons you will never see a movie mode in an SLR (also the mirror is in the way, although that issue could be resolved, i.e. mirror locked up and using the rear LCD for movie mode, but I digress!)

[Jon]

I don't know if it's true, but I can understand the theory behind such a statement. Because much of the processing for a CMOS sensor is on the sensor proper, it might be more difficult to push the output to the viewing screen in real time. The "review" on a DSLR is pulling from the buffer and pre-processed images, while a "live" viewfinder is actually pulling right off the sensor, with less interference. Just something else they'd have to add to the already-complex innards.

[ScottE]

When Canon first announced that they were going to use CMOS sensors (was that the D30?) I remember some engineers in the digital imaging business stating it was dead end technology because it would never be possible to get a clean image.

That has pretty much been disproven with current Canon cameras. Who knows what else some engineers will claim is impossible and others will just go ahead and do.

[CoolToolGuy]

From the movie Airport:

After removing an airliner from being stuck in a mudhole, which was done by powering up the engines and 'driving' it out, the young apprentice says to the grizzled veteran - "Mr. Patroni, the instruction book said that was impossible"
The response: "That's one nice thing about the 707 - it can do everything but read."
:wink: :D

Have Fun,

[Aylwin]

The logical competitive step would be a 12 mp 1D Mk III, followed by 12 mp versions in the 20D and 300D lines.

Personally, I wouldn't want a 12MP successor to the 20D... if they maintain the same crop factor. My wish would be: the 1D MK III gets the sensor of the 1Ds and the 20D Mk II gets the sensor of the 1D Mk II.

Of course, I wouldn't mind a 1.3x 12MP sensor on the 20D. :wink:

[MrChad]

If I am correct I think all Canon non-DSLR's still use a CCD's, I think the G6 & Pro1 even use a CCD.

I'm waiting for the next D-Rebel, Hopefully the Drebel 2 will have 8mp, USB 2.0, and E-TTL II support for the 580ex. And if it's not too much trouble they should make it black :D It would be really nice if it was smaller too like the Pentex *ist-DS.

If they can't shrink the size at least give it the old D30/60 or 10D shell. I'm really not sold on the plastic body of the current Drebel. I think that's why I love the feel of the Nikon D70--dare I say that! I'd gladly give up a vertical grip if the next Drebel was built like the D70.

[CoolToolGuy]

I like what Ni*on did with the D2X (the new one, right?) where they give you the ability to select the center section of the sensor. So, how about if Canon introduced a camera that does all 3 - full-frame, 1.3, and 1.6? For the pro, that could cover all the bases, especially if they can tailor the FPS based on the size of the shot - the smaller the shot, the faster it can go, and the more shots in the buffer.

Food for thought...

Have Fun,