Is it time to start shrinking?

nontetheredbrain wrote in post #6190140
There are basically three sizes of cameras 1D, xxD and xxxd and now the XS series. Buy the one you want for size..

If the higher end FEATURES were also provided in the smallest sized models, your suggestion would be more realistic!

I'm 62, never have, never had the urge, never will. Southeast Asia was enough for me thank you.

Because they could not afford a decent Canon DSLR? Your talking about tourists, not serieous camera hobbyists or Professionals. You show me a pro on the sidelines of a NFL game with a P&S and I will kiss your patoot and give you ten minutes to draw a crowd with their point and shoots.

While I have no problem with size, I'll have to agree w/ PhotoJourno - I think the newer bodies might be going a little overboard on the bells and whistles. Consumer photogs and gear hounds might love this trend, but I bet that most pros would prefer simplicity and the speed in handling that simplicity allows.

i dunno... i remember alot of folks complaining that the rebel XT was "just not made for a guys hands" or that it was just "Too Small" ..

I remember the old cell phones, they were like carrying a brick around.. then they got better and better and smaller and smaller.. now they are getting huge again.. like palm piolets with a phone.. what next? laptop sized phones? lol

canonloader wrote in post #6190174
I'm 62, never have, never had the urge, never will. Southeast Asia was enough for me thank you.

Because they could not afford a decent Canon DSLR? Your talking about tourists, not serieous camera hobbyists or Professionals. You show me a pro on the sidelines of a NFL game with a P&S and I will kiss your patoot and give you ten minutes to draw a crowd with their point and shoots.

OK, go visit NYC or Epcot Center or Natural Bridges National Park, or Washington DC and the Smithsonian Museam then. And wander about all day!

BTW I did serious professional work with an OM, and there are some very big names that did, too! Besides who says dSLRs cannot be for tourists?!

JCH77Yanks wrote in post #6190185
While I have no problem with size, I'll have to agree w/ PhotoJourno - I think the newer bodies might be going a little overboard on the bells and whistles. Consumer photogs and gear hounds might love this trend, but I bet that most pros would prefer simplicity and the speed in handling that simplicity allows.

And that's what they're getting in the 1D series. I don't want to see all the gizmo's in xxd bodies, but it's going to happen. I want to see better IQ, not five minutes of video as the D90. Please Canon DO NOT FOLLOW.

Wilt wrote in post #6190160
If the higher end FEATURES were also provided in the smallest sized models, your suggestion would be more realistic!

They all take pictures so the size doesn't matter.

If you want to best IQ as a 1D has, then you're going to have to put up with a bigger body, it has two Digic chips (that's two motherboards) in it to get that better IQ. Plus it has to be bigger because it has to have a bigger battery. It also has two card slots. They use SD for one to keep it smaller. Or they had some left over space and through it in there.

I'd like to point out the biggest knock against the Rebel series DSLRs is its small size. I've got a 400D, and didn't find it comfortable to use until I bought a vertical grip for it.

I love the size of my 40D, if it was any smaller then the buttons would be packed so close to each other that you would need to look before you pushed. The way it is now I can be snapping away and quickly change most of the settings, at least the important ones, without taking my eye off the viewfinder.

If there was any change made, I would want everything to be lighter. A bag full of lenses is just too heavy. But I guess until we find a light weight replacement for good glass and metal we are stuck with what we got. But somehow I don't see this happening anytime soon hehe.

jblaschke wrote in post #6190536
I'd like to point out the biggest knock against the Rebel series DSLRs is its small size. I've got a 400D, and didn't find it comfortable to use until I bought a vertical grip for it.

I didn't find it comfortable even with using a grip. I went from 300D to 30D. Rebels just too small for my hands. I felt that way with the 300D and didn't use it much because of it.

Bottom line is, when you need to carry a toothpick to push the buttons, it's too small.

canonloader wrote in post #6189970
... You can get a credit card size camera with 8+ megapixels, so what. ..

It's not just the size, it's size and feature set. Sure P/S are small today, but there is not a single one that comes close to a 1D in performance.

Ook wrote in post #6190004
.. This means they will have to skimp on feature layout and build quality.

But it doesn't have to be. If you could get a camera the size of the D80 or XTi to keep it Canon with identical performance and features of a 1DsMkIII, would you?

blonde wrote in post #6190008
...they allow us to shoot and change settings quickly and they are also designed to be comfortable in the hands......
even if you take one of the smaller lenses that Canon has today (for example, the 50 1.8) it would still be very uncomfortable with the smaller body. .....

I'm thinking big here.. Change setting with buttons and dials? Too primitive. Maybe a iPOD-esque interface, mayby voice recognition, maybe some form of AI that comes up with a few options for best settings and you just select one based on what your trying to do. As to the lenses, we all know that lenses can be quite small and provide outstanding optics. Just look a a hawk eye. Those guys can resolve tiny detail at hundreds of yards so the technology exists.

canonloader wrote in post #6190065
I'm afraid I don't know anyone who carries a camera around all day, ...

Well, me. I just returned from hiking Yosemite and let me tell you, a day long hike with a vertical rise of 2000 feet with a 40 pound pack and 20 extra pounds of camera equipment is a killer. Two weeks later and my back still feels it.

PhotoJourno wrote in post #6190073
...Today I do feel that Point and Shoot cameras are the best examples of over-features. You purchase one, and its box will be filled with bullet point text lines, detailing the hundreds of features that make this mini-camera that fits in a pocket so complete. ...

But it lacks performance.

PhotoJourno wrote in post #6190073
... There are 250 features, but only 5 buttons. The skill required to solve a rubick cube in your mind from just looking at one, is about the same degree required to learn the button combinations in order to change ISO, or even the aperture value. ...

Clearly the user interface needs lots of work. Now imagine those 250 features all accessable and simple to use in a small package.

PhotoJourno wrote in post #6190073
... But my point is, there is a direct correlation between USEABLE features and size,

I agree, given what we have today.

nontetheredbrain wrote in post #6190140
First let me ask, what is the reason to use the smallest size font and one of the hardest to read?

Hmm.. no idea, I used the default font.

nontetheredbrain wrote in post #6190140
.... Things are getting smaller, battery, memory. But the SLR is STILL a SLR with a mechanically shutter, it has to have room to move.

Using todays tech, yes. Maybe it's time for a change.

Wilt wrote in post #6190160
If the higher end FEATURES were also provided in the smallest sized models, your suggestion would be more realistic!

Thats exactly what I am talking about.

I had a great year and could easily pick up a 1DsMkIII but I find that even my 40 is too big. But, imagine if you could get a 1DsMkIII, full performance, full quality, outfited with the best L glass in a package the size of a G9.

gjl711 wrote in post #6190793
I had a great year and could easily pick up a 1DsMkIII but I find that even my 40 is too big. But, imagine if you could get a 1DsMkIII, full performance, full quality, outfited with the best L glass in a package the size of a G9.

They can't get the current G series to take good low light shots.


What you're asking for will be here when my grandchildren are ready. And my son isn't eight yet.

You guys that are asking for 1DsIII performance in a G9 size are CRAZY. The reason the 1D is that big is because it has to be. There is a trade-off in camera land - size and ease of use for good pictures. Imagine that!

canonloader wrote in post #6190779
Bottom line is, when you need to carry a toothpick to push the buttons, it's too small.

Oh you must be referring to the Blackberry!