Canon EOS 7D ?

I was recently looking at Canon's film line of cameras and naming (numbering) scheme.

Do you think Canon would come out with a Canon EOS 7D just like they have the Elan 7?

It seems reasonable to me:
Canon 1D series
Canon 5D
Canon 7D (maybe this would be the 30D replacement or a go between 5D and 30D)
Canon 30D
Canon Rebel series

One thing I keep seeing recently is people writing that the new 5D is somehow going to replace the 30D. Is there anything to substantiate this view? In my opinion, I seriously doubt this - the way Canon have set up the camera versions is just too good for profit at the moment (and is too marketable). I think people would be more than annoyed if they subsitituted the 30D with a new cut down 5D or if they updated the 5D and got rid of the 30D - they'd be losing peoples respect and profit either way..

What says ye?

The 30D and 5D are in two different product lines based on different sensor and lens systems. They are not interchangeable and never will be. (actually the 5D is a product point, it needs another version before there can be a line)

I agree that we need a more capable camera using the same size sensor and lenses as the 30D, but it will have nothing to do with the 5D or any of its successors, if Canon decides to extend that line.

I would hate to see them get rid of the 30D and just leave the Rebel. There is definitely a pro-sumer market for the 30D (like the weekend 2nd-job/semi-pro photographer, like myself). The Rebel series to me is definitely a consumer level camera.

Personally, the 5D is more than I need for now; not to mention it costs so much more. There definitely is a huge market between the Rebel and the 5D; so I don't see Canon ending the 30D or something in between the Rebel and 5D. Hence, I think they might change the name to 7D as an upgrade to the 30D.

I like that Canon has several different offerings for varying levels. I entered with the 10D because I was already using AE-1 Program and F-1 and a Rebel G for EOS. I wanted that same level without spending too much money. If they discontinue the middle group, a lot of people may just not be able to afford the upgrades.

I firmly believe there will be a 30D replacement and whatever they call it, it won't be a 5D. The 5D has full frame and the 30D is a crop camera. The replacement for the 30D will also be a crop camera as Canon won't eliminate the crop cameras at least for now.

I lovingly refer to the 30D replacement as the 40D! I'm looking forward to it with glee!

JChin wrote in post #3414700
I would hate to see them get rid of the 30D and just leave the Rebel. There is definitely a pro-sumer market for the 30D (like the weekend 2nd-job/semi-pro photographer, like myself). The Rebel series to me is definitely a consumer level camera.

I hear ya, weekender 2nd job is about right

This is just an opinion, but I dont think Canon will call it a "7D" - the odds are, they would name it the 5D Mark II.

Why? Because if they name this one the 7D, what are they going to name the next one? The 9D? And then... the 11D? I think they are going to want to keep the naming convention of "brand recognition" of the 5D.

I don't see the 30d/5D being integrated any time soon... cropped sensors will always be cheaper than full-frame to produce unless something major changes in how the manufacturing process works to bring the difference to a negligible amount..

I don't think they will combine the 30D/5D into one camera. I think they might abandon the 30D (or 40D) naming convention and goto 7D instead; maybe to match their film body naming convention.

Or they can release a 40D that is a step upgrade to the 30D (similar to the 20D to 30D feature change); and later come out with a 7D to fill the gap in features between the 30D and 5D.

The fact that they have made a thousand dollar small sensor lens (17-55 2.8 IS) makes it almost certain that they plan on keeping an amateur/prosumer small sensor camera. Although quite a few people on this forum use the 17-55 on their XT and XTi's (and more than a few stick L's on them) these lenses were designed with the pro-sumer/ serious amateur in mind. Most entry level shooters won't buy a thousand dollar lens for their 600 dollar camera (in fact, most new DSLR buyers will probably stick to the kit lens and maybe the 75-300 that so many stores are discounting when purchased with the kit). The 5D is aimed at the guy who isn't necessarily a pro or serious amateur, but that wants the best money can buy in a "regular" camera. The XXXD line is for the entry level shooters, and the XXD line is for the serious amateur/ budget pro. The rest are all pro level. This covers pretty much all the bases for Canon. I think if Canon deviates at all it will be by adding a super-budget beginner SLR aimed at people who will be using it as a really nice point and shoot (like the Nikon D40).

My idea of the Canon Lineup in a couple of years:
Non-Pro -
1) the basic Rebel (their answer to the Nikon 40D) - cropped
2) the Xt line (step up from entry level / budget amateur) - cropped
3) 5D line (best non-pro camera with better IQ than entry level pro) - full frame
Pro lineup
1) XXD line (entry pro) - cropped
2) 1DN line (sports pro shooters) - cropped
3) 1DS line (full frame pro shooter and logical upgrade for 5D users that want more)
4) 1D line - the Rolls Royce of pro cams - hybrid cropped

I am not certain there will be another increment in the 5D line.

If you remember film, there was the 1 series of pro cameras, the Elan/30 series of advanced amateur cameras and the Rebel/100 series of economical cameras. Then they brought out the EOS 3 which was between the pro and advanced amateur lines. It was such a good camera that many pros started using the EOS 3 instead of paying more money for a 1 series. Canon never did an upgrade to the EOS 3, although they upgraded all their other lines.

Is if possible that Canon will find that the 5D has interfered with sales of the 1Ds line? If so, will they do the same thing that they did with the EOS 3 film camera and leave it in the line, but not bring out any upgrades?

This is not a prediction. Just me looking at my EOS 3 and wondering why there was never an EOS 3N.

I wouldn't consider the 5D a non-Pro body;
personally I'd consider it more of a Pro body than a 20D/30D.

non-Pro body: Digital Rebel series
prosumer (semi-Pro) body: xxD series (20D/30D)
entry-level Pro body: 5D
Pro bodies: 1D and 1Ds series

I can see Canon drop the price on the XTi to compete with the Nikon D40.

The Canon 30D pretty much competes with the Nikon D80.
While the 1D series competes with the Nikon D2 series.

The only advantage on Canon right now is the 5D. Maybe they will scale it down (not up), call it a 7D and have it as a 1.3X crop instead of full-frame.

maybe Canon 3D and 7D as far as numbering goes.

I have a 1ds and find it way too heavy by the time I get my stroboframe and 580 on it and top that off with a 70-200 lens. I'm no wussie girl, but I find it very tiring during a long shoot and will often switch to my rebel near the end. I love the full frame sensor though, so my next body will be the 5d or whatever they turn that into. Size matters. : )