Canon FF Life Cycle?

When will the 5D2 be replaced by Canon? Do they get replaced every two years or is it in line with the 50D line?

Every 3 years. Or, whenever Nikon makes D700s with 24mp and video.

xxD - 12-18 months.

I reckon 3 years too and.... relax, it was released less than a year ago.

Canon doesn't have a set cycle. The 5D went a log time without updates.

Rendition wrote in post #8763458
I reckon 3 years too and.... relax, it was released less than a year ago.

I'm just trying to decide if I should get a 7D now (if I can find one) or wait until the next 5D comes out.

Thank you for the information I really appreciate it!

It will always be 3 years or 2 years or. Buy whatever suits your shooting needs and start pressing off shots!

The 1-series cameras have had a 3-year cycle between marks. The 5D, christened as a "premium class" camera by Canon, went three years between the original and the Mark II. Of course, two data points do not equal a trend, but considering that Canon is not well known for variability, the 5D Mark III will probably follow three years after the Mark II.

Or, as I stated previously, until Nikon come up with D700s.

Nervous wrote in post #8771955
Or, as I stated previously, until Nikon come up with D700s.

I don't think a D700s would alter Canon's planned release cycle. Obviously they didn't alter their release schedule on the 1 series even with the popularity of the D3 and the 1DIII issues/perception. They did, however, bump the 50D up 6 months and release the 7D in an apparent reaction to the D300 (though it came 18 months later).

bacchanal wrote in post #8772190
I don't think a D700s would alter Canon's planned release cycle. Obviously they didn't alter their release schedule on the 1 series even with the popularity of the D3 and the 1DIII issues/perception. They did, however, bump the 50D up 6 months and release the 7D in an apparent reaction to the D300 (though it came 18 months later).

7D is reaction to the D300s, which is just 2 mo old D300 along with D200 were just ignored by Canon.
I still hope that competition from Nikon will force Canon to come up with better entry-level FF camera. I considered moving to 5DII instead of 50D a year ago, but dated AF, low fps and lack of built-in flash stopped me. And still stopping, so moving to 7D instead.

Nervous wrote in post #8772937
I considered moving to 5DII instead of 50D a year ago, but dated AF, low fps and lack of built-in flash stopped me. And still stopping, so moving to 7D instead.

i guess the first two reasons are valid (especially dated AF), but lack of built-in flash? lol seriously?

Nervous wrote in post #8772937
7D is reaction to the D300s, which is just 2 mo old D300 along with D200 were just ignored by Canon.
I still hope that competition from Nikon will force Canon to come up with better entry-level FF camera. I considered moving to 5DII instead of 50D a year ago, but dated AF, low fps and lack of built-in flash stopped me. And still stopping, so moving to 7D instead.

I guess it depends on whether you look at if from a manufacturing perspective or a consumer perspective. Development time for the D300s was almost certainly much shorter than it was for the 7D.

On the subject of entry level FF, Sony just added the a850 at $2000. I doubt it will put too much pressure on Canon or Nikon, but at least it's a sign that FF sensors probably aren't as pricey as they once were.

DrFil wrote in post #8772968
i guess the first two reasons are valid (especially dated AF), but lack of built-in flash? lol seriously?

I am tired to explain my point about this. Yes, seriously. Highlight shadows, AF-assist beam. And I have 3 Speedlites, I don't want to make my camera heavier just for AF assist beam or highlighting shadows during the daytime. And now 7D has remote wireless controller, I really would like to have the same in 1000 more expensive camera.

Nervous wrote in post #8772937
7D is reaction to the D300s, which is just 2 mo old D300 along with D200 were just ignored by Canon.

I assure you, it takes more than a few months to develop a camera. The 7D was probably in the works long before the D300s was rumored.

And frankly I don't see why Canon should've cared about the D200.

Back to the OP: the 1-series is on a 3-year cycle. The 5D MkII took three years, too, but I would expect Canon to move it to a ~2-year cycle, since it's not as much of a niche product as it was before.

bacchanal wrote in post #8773077
I guess it depends on whether you look at if from a manufacturing perspective or a consumer perspective. Development time for the D300s was almost certainly much shorter than it was for the 7D.

On the subject of entry level FF, Sony just added the a850 at $2000. I doubt it will put too much pressure on Canon or Nikon, but at least it's a sign that FF sensors probably aren't as pricey as they once were.

I don't think you can make that assumption. Sony has deep pockets and is willing to play the loss-leader game for some period of time to buy market share. While I'm sure that economies of scale are in play with sensors, I don't think there has been a huge downward movement in the cost.

D300s was an evolution of the D300. 7D is essentially a "new" model/form factor for Canon. But Nikon also doesn't have a deep video expertise group to draw from wrt their development. Since that is a gaping hole in their product lineup (at least in the 2009 marketplace), it'll be interesting to see where they go next.