The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV might not be what you expect [CW3+]

Eos 5d Mark Iv
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I guess this should be categorised under “weird rumor”. I would normally not give it much credit, but since it comes from a source known to me, I post it.

What’s going on with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV? The 5D4 is likely the most secretive Canon DSLR I’ve seen so far. I am not even sure it will be named “EOS 5D Mark IV”. It’s the “Mark IV” that’s puzzling here.

The number four (4) is considered unlucky in Japanese culture because it is sometimes pronounced “shi“, which is also a word for death. Indeed, as far as I know, there is only one Canon DSLR having the “Mark IV” after the moniker, it’s the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. If there are Japanese readers who want to add something, please do it in the comment section. I’ll be glad for any additional information. Should I have misunderstood something about Japanese culture (which I greatly esteem), then I apologise.

We might not see a EOS 5D Mark III replacement that’s a Mark IV version of this highly popular Canon full-frame camera. This may also give some sense to the many contradicting EOS 5D Mark IV rumors we saw during 2015, starting with a rumor I am beginning to take even more seriously, saying we will see two different models for the EOS 5D Mark III replacement. Canon already did a model split with the EOS 5Ds and EOS 5Ds R.

Will the EOS 5D Mark III replacement feature 4K video? That’s another controversial point. I got hints it will, but if the EOS-1D X Mark II gets 4K (and it is likely it will), then I doubt Canon will feature it also on the EOS 5D Mark III replacement.

One final thing. While the source I am citing here didn’t deliver any specs, it was suggested that the EOS 5D Mark III replacement will be “something very new” that breaks with the previous line-up. I don’t think this means the end of the EOS 5D series, but it might point to the beginning of a new line-up, even if it is still a “Canon 5D” DSLR line-up. Pretty confusing, isn’t it?

I was not sure about the rating of this rumor. I dare to give it a CW3+. And I am curious to know what you think about this.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and EOS 5D Mark IV tidbits (and where to get fresh and unsophisticated Canon rumors)

eos 5d mark iv
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV mockup by zol.com.cn

Do you want your Canon rumors fresh and as directly from the source as possible? We can help.

There are a few sites, mainly in Asia, that first post leaked and reliable info about Canon products. The sites are:

According to the first two sites listed above, Canon will release two more DSLRs along with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and the EOS 5D Mark IV (click here) in 2016. One of these will likely be the EOS 80D, the other, I guess, the long overdue Rebel SL2. The aforementioned, and usually pretty well informed sites, suggest the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will be announced for CES 2016 (and be on display there), the EOS 5D Mark IV in February 2016. A 24MP sensor is rumored for the EOS-1D Mark II, while the EOS 5D Mark IV should have a 28MP sensor (as posted first here on Canon Watch). We also reported that there could be a model split for the EOS 5D Mark IV, this is also confirmed by the aforementioned sites.

According to information I got from the editors of these site, the codename for the EOS 5D Mark IV is “invincible Buddha“. The 5D Mark II was “magic rabbit” and the 5D Mark III was codenamed “invincible umbrella”. According to the people who contacted me, the EOS 5D Mark III saw a drastic price drop in Hong Kong, which usually is a sign that an announcement of a replacement isn’t far away.

I am following anything coming from these sites, and will try to stay in touch with the editors. Stay tuned, we will soon know more.

Off Brand: Nikon D5 images leaked

Nikon D5

Images of the upcoming Nikon D5, the company’s new flagship, have leaked. The Nikon D5 is expected to be announced early 2016, and is rumored to have the following specs:

  • Newly developed 20MP FX sensor
  • 15 fps burst rate
  • Native ISO 102,400
  • 153 Auto-Focus points
  • 4K video 60/30fps
  • Full HD slow motion

The Nikon D5 is the direct competitor to the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Since first images of the Nikon D5 are surfacing, the EOS-1D X Mark II can’t be that far away. We expect the EOS-1D X Mark II to be announced before April 2016, possibly (though I am sceptical) already in January.

[via Nikon Rumors]

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II announcement January 2016? [CW2]

EOS-1D X
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Another rumor suggesting the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II might get announced in January. Canon Rumors writes they have been told…

[…] by a couple of people that Canon is gearing up for a “significant” DSLR announcement in January of 2016.

If it is “significant” then it may well be the EOS-1D X Mark II. Not the first mention of a January 2016 announcement, though March 2016 may be a more realistic date. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II could feature new sensor technology.

New sensor technology coming to future Canon pro bodies (EOS-1D X Mark II)?

canon patent
Column parallel sensor (taken from Canon patent)

I got some hints that Canon may implement a new sensor technology in their future pro-level DSLRs. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was also mentioned to possibly get a new sensor tech.

Thanks to reader Richard, we know that there is a slew of patents referring to column parallel sensors, a technology Sony is using on their EXMOR sensors. Quoting one of Canon’s patent applications, a column-parallel A/D converter is…:

a method for improving precision in analog-digital conversion […] of pixel signals. The A/D converter includes a first A/D converter (first processing unit) and a second A/D converter (second processing unit), and the first processing unit performs A/D conversion to generate higher-order bits of digital signals and then the second processing unit performs A/D conversion to generate lower-order bits. The first processing unit performs the first A/D conversion by comparing an analog signal to be converted and a reference voltage. The second processing unit starts charging a capacitor by a constant current source according to the result of the comparison performed by the first processing unit, and ends the charging in response to an edge of a clock signal (a rising edge) supplied immediately thereafter. Then, the second processing unit maintains the voltage for the capacitor and performs the second A/D conversion.

According to information passed over to me, Canon filed not less than seven (7) patents referring to column parallel sensor technology. A bit too much to believe Canon does not have some (big?) plans with such a sensor technology. Therefore, suggestions stating the Canon EOS-1D X may feature a new technology sensor may point in the right direction.

One of the patents is US2015/0341577. It refers to a column parallel sensor, and it seems to describe a method to get more dynamic range from shadows.

I am currently studying the other patents and will disclose them soon. Stay tuned…

Canon patent
Drawing from patent US2015/0341577