This is from the (Italian) forum where the image of the Canon event expected for March 2th comes from.

The image and alleged theories about a imminent announcement of the 5D3/5Dx appeared on many dedicated Internet sites, to to mention the buzz on Twitter. However, things are not that sure as they may seem.

The strange thing: the invitation (written in Italian) for a “breakfast at EOS” (that’s the translation, trust me: I speak Italian) appeared on this site, and then disappeared (but you can check it here, it’s the Google-cached version of the original page). Read it Google translated clicking here.

Some thoughts about:

• I couldn’t find any “invitation” written in English on the Internet; isn’t that somewhat strange?
• Why has the image been posted and then be deleted?
• Is this a hoax? (but I do not think the original poster wanted to fool us)

And this one…well, I do not know, maybe in Italy (not really, indeed :-)…: 

Finally, this is the very first forum post (click here, and here for the Google translation) where the invitation image showed up . The post dates February, 27.

I am confused and really would like to know what you think about. Is it a hoax?

[via JP, and thanks to Tovich]

It’s all over the Twitter-sphere: invitations for a Canon event scheduled on Friday March 2th have been sent out.

Singapore, Paris and Shanghai and, according to the image (written in Italian), Italy (I guess Milan) are the locations.

Things are getting exciting!

[via CR]

This is one of the best post about the upcoming 5DMk3 I have ever read. It has been written by Tony Hart and, let me say it, it catches the points most of us are concerned about. The article is rather long and detailed and can be read here. However, I want to list some of the most important points.

• An option to allow for permanently illuminated AF points. While shooting a pitch black dance floor in AF Servo mode, sometimes it can be hard to figure out exactly what your AF point is resting on. Frankly, when it’s that dark it’s improbable that the AF is going to lock on anyway, but it’d be great to be able to turn the red illumination on full-time to make it easier to spot the live AF point.

• Proper Auto-ISO. An Auto ISO system that allowed for the setting of maximum/minimum shutter speed and aperture would be hugely welcome.

• An integrated AF illuminator would be a blessing also. Often I want to shoot a dance floor by ambient light or using off camera strobes. The camera can handle the light conditions but the AF tracking is poor as the contrast available is limited/moving. I could pop a 580EXII on the hotshot but I’d rather have a radio trigger on there. Some sort of full-time tracking support for AF Servo as well as One Shot would seriously rock.

• A more ergonomic grip. I shoot my 5DII’s with grips all the time, mostly because I prefer the balance and I can’t shoot straight verticals without them! As I said above, I really like the ergonomics of the 5DII – it’s one of the things that’s kept me with Canon over Nikon as it happens – but the grip/body integration could use improvement. At present, it’s a bit of a block, some sculpting here wouldn’t go amiss.

• Integrated flash commander, preferably via some sort of radio. This is rumoured to be in a new 590EX speedlite, so hopefully we’ll see it in the 5D replacement as well.

• Wi-Fi connectivity. This’ll never happen. Canon are far too entrenched in the business model of making shed loads of money selling overpriced WFT grips. Nonetheless it’d be nice!

• Shorter mirror black out. Many people say that the 5DII can’t be used for sport photography. They’re wrong. I’ve used it very successfully, but the mirror blackout does make it tricky at times.

• Faster fps. See above!

• Locking Mode selector switch. This was added as a retrofitted upgrade for the 5DII, I hope it’ll be standard issue on the new model. Nothing worse than bringing the camera up to the eye only to find it’s entered green square mode.

• Get rid of the stupid two-stage ‘on’ switch. I always want to use the thumbwheel. ALWAYS. Stop offering me the option to turn it off by mistake. This is probably my number one reason for poorly exposed shots.

• Please don’t depart too heavily from the 5DII in terms of interface and usage. I don’t have to think when I pick up my 5DII, please don’t change that!

I totally agree! :-)

[via THP]

Sorry for the long break.
First, the most murmured announcement date for the next 5D: February, 28th. That would mean the new 5D will go to sale late March-April. Exciting! There are already hints that Canon is shooting commercials for the new 5D.

Second, it seems that the 5D MkII successor will not be a cam sporting a over 30MP sensor (like Nikon’s new D800, the direct competitor). According to the rumor-mills we review for your reading pleasure, the new 5D will have the following specs: 22MP, 61pt AF, 6.9 fps. These seems to be the most probable specs, unanimously reported allover the Internet. However, the 61pt AF isn’t that sure. There are rumors that the 5DIII/X could come with the AF system of the 1D Mk IV. Finally, the 5DMkIII/X could have the weather sealing first seen on the 7D. A sensor featuring “only” 22MP could come to a surprise for someone, especially since Nikon’s new full-frame camera (again: the direct competitor) features 36MP.

However, what about the supposed split of the 5D line? Should we focus only on a probable 22MP 5DMk3 or is there still some possibility that Canon will release a 5D X with a sensor that can compare with the one featured on the D800? Personally I think Canon will. There are simply too much hints that there could be a high res full-frame cam on Canon’s next-to-be-announced list. Canon’s Chief Executive of Image Communication Products Operations, Mr. Masaya Maeda, gave an interview to some CP+ journalists. The reported comments are (source):

“…Regarding how Canon responds to the competition from Nikon’s D800 and the concern of the successor of 5D Mark II, Maeda indicates that although he cannot leak information about un-announced product, the way Canon develops new product is to satisfy the needs of professional photographers. For instance, the introduction of EOS-1D X is to satisfy professional photographers to photoshoot sports events like the Olympics, in terms of their requirement of high FPS and high image quality under high ISO settings. If Canon thinks the market wants the high resolution models such as the 30+ MP of Nikon’s D800, they can easily develop such products…”

I agree, Canon «can easily develop such products». :-)

[NL] spotted two chinese sites that refer to a 5DMkIII (reported to have 26MP, 19pt AF, 4.9 fps) and a 5D X. See them Google-translated here (5DMk3) and here (5D X). While the spec of the 5D MkIII are those reported above, the 5D X could feature a 45MP sensor, 61pt AF and 3.4 fps.

[via CR, NL, DPreview Canon forum]