Back in the pre-1D days, the scut was that Canon had sent
out four different versions of the camera for testing, and
no one got to see more than one of them. There were three
different sensors discussed. The original release was the one
we all know about. What we do not know is what the other
three versions were, or what sensor they had in them. Obviously,
one of them will be in the D60. Could yet a third be in a studio
camera? Quite easily. As the X3 announcement should have
demonstrated quite plainly, the studio camera market is very very
different than the portable camera market. Will Canon answer
with a Pro90 replacement? No, most likely not. They can't
market it in the consumer price range, and the D7 clearly demo'ed
what happens if you get outside that price range, as did the
Pro90 itself. Right now there are chain stores stuck with E-10
inventory that will not sell, even 600$ below list price. And that
is without having the E-20 on the shelves beside it. Right now,
unless Minolta makes a move that has not even made the
rumer circuit, there will be little in the way of really superior
prosumer hardware before fall, unless you consider the new
Fuji's a big upgrade. They may be. That is yet to be seen, but
even their production will be much later in the year. If X3 turns
out to be what it promises, then all of those projects we already
know about will be in trouble, even for production later this year.
The promised Oly/Kodak project will have to be completely
redone, or it will have to come out at a rediculously low price
point. Does that sound like a project Kodak is involved in to
you? If the X3 is what it promises to be, and Phil plainly thinks
it is at least close, then the "Big Bang" just gave a bunch of
executives new ulcers, and will provide for the slowest upgrade
year in the last 4, as they scramble to figure out what to do,
and how to do it. Right now, I am still shooting the G1 that I
hate most of the time. Other than the D7, there is really nothing
to upgrade to that is worth the money. I don't expect that to
change for at least 6 months unless the new Fuji's actually do
what they claim this time.
jays
With Nikon gathering up attention as well as Sony for the rumored
update to the 707, what should we expect from Canon? Canon needs
something Big on the prosumer level. Anyone brave enough to
venture a guess?
I will post the winner, who will be the person who can guess the
closests what Canon will announce.
Every forum but Canon's is enriched with predictions. Now it's
Canon's turn.
Joe
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