Announced in February 2007, The Canon EOS 1D Mark III Pro DSLR set the standard for sports shooters and pro journalists. Plagued with initial problems with its AF system, and then hit further when the Nikon D3 redefined the standard for sports shooters and photojournalists, the Mark III could be replaced with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV as early as 2009.
Below are a list of rumors regarding the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, newest first. Please rate how credible you believe these to be, and feel free to add your own comments/thoughts. If you have any more information, please email us at rumors@dentonimages.com or click Rumors Wanted. We'll continue to add new rumors to this page as we come across them.
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CR is reporting a "solid source" indicates a "new camera on Tuesday Oct. 20th. Most likely it will be the 1D Mk IV, with very high ISO. Probably as high as ISO 102,400. The camera will have an APS-H (1.3x Crop) sensor."
This is less than a week after the expected Nikon D3s, which is also rumored to have a ISO 102,400 capability.
CR believes they may have info with some credibility about the 1D Mk IV for the first time, although they don't say why they believe the info may be accurate. If true, the Canon 1D Mark IV will have a 16 megapixel Full Frame (CMOS) Sensor, dual DIGIC, 10 f.p.s., 3" LCD, Built in WiFi, and some kind of GPS functionality.
When released, this camera needs to be a Nikon D3 killer, so it will be interesting to see the high ISO capabilities - the D3 sensor is already 18 months old, by the time the 1D Mk IV comes out, will two years of technological advances yield a 16 megapixel sensor with better high ISO characteristics than Nikon's 12 megapixel sensor? Possibly.
PhotoRumors have posted an image of an invitiation, that claims this fall Canon will make one of its largest and most important launches in the company's history, on 09.29.2009.
As they point out, the image of a box covered in a red sheet does look rather big for a camera though...
"18.2 mp, 12fps, 3.2" OCD rear screen, full frame, 65 zone metering with contrast distinction, 48 focus pts (48,21,11). The mirror is being redesigned and will not move. Viewfinder larger and brighter. Wireless file transfer capability via wifi. And more."
It's possible a Canon 1D Mark III N is about to be released according to a forum posting. We've set up a separate rumor section to track the Canon EOS 1D Mark III N.
CR claims one of its better sources is claiming "End of January" for the 1D Mark IV release, and that date has been "corroborated by a few other sources".
CR is also claiming the consensus on specs from multiple sources seems to be:
16mp
12fps
1.3x (APS-H)
1080p Video (24p/25p 30p 60p)
Apparently this camera is the most locked down product in Canon’s history as far as who really know what’s going on with it.
CR has posted a general update about what they are hearing on the 1D Mk IV - release date could be anywhere between October and February, and it will have a DIGIC V processor that is better optimized for video, and will allow for RAW video to be shot.
With the new crop of ultra big, ultra fast CF cards from SanDisk, RAW video may well become feasible in the near future on a DSLR.
CR has posted a detailed post from one of their regular contributors, discussing Canons video implementations in general, and specifically talking about the 1D4:
1D Mark IV what to look for based on part lists from suppliers and engineers:
Completely new AF module akin to that on the 7D but with several times as many AF points. The tracking performance on this will be the best in the industry for many years. Video focus assist will be improved in speed five fold.
Video: 1080p 24,30,25 720p 50, 60, SD with improved picture and audio control limits. Improved video processing. If it has Digic V it will be a true binning downscale and a big jump in quality.
No swivel screen, improved contrast and color gamut.
12 fps at full 14bit. – this is not confirmed just rumored by staff outside of the project!
CR is reporting a sport shooter in the Netherlands is claiming his agency tested a new camera for Canon, it was in a Mk III housing but the inside was changed...
CR Reports Jeff Brehm, a photo editor and photographer made this statement on the sportsshooter message board.
“I won’t say who told me … but a well-placed person at one of the site sponsors told me last week that the new Canon Mark IV is coming out next month.”
According to Photography Bay, the September 2009 edition of Résponse Photo, a popular French magazine, claims that the Canon 1D Mark IV would be announced on August 25.
@ a NFL preseason game on Friday night in NJ, some newspaper photogs were talking about a prototype PRO camera that they saw earlier in the week.
When asked how he heard this, he responds:
first hand - the photog's work for one of the major outlets and said they saw the camera in their offices - they are using a lot of 5D's now because of the video features and are looking forward to using a pro camera with video.
CR claims to have received confirmation from a "solid source" that the new APS-H 1D will be announced in September, with limited availability in October.
Canon Hong Kong have announced a price drop for both the Canon 1D Mark 3 and 1Ds Mark 3, by about 10%.
Could be an indication the replacements for both these cameras are coming. Could be currency fluctuations. Could be just trying to clear excess inventory (although a temporary rebate would be more likely then)
NI is reporting information from one of their "longer lived sources" that the 'new 1D' could be purchased by the end of the year and that it would include 'HD Video'.
Video on a camera primarily aimed at photojournalists does make sense, especially as media outlets are cutting back hard on expenses - having your photographer also come back with some web-quality video clips definitely has value.
According to a supposed Canon release schedule posted on CanonRumors, the Canon 1D Mark IV is due Fall 2009. The full schedule can be seen by following the link below.
Or at least possibly spotted in Seattle according to a DPReview poster - a camera covered in black tape being used by a Seattle Photographer that is under a Non Disclosure agreement and has tested a number of cameras previously for Canon (at least according to the poster):
"It looked like it had a bigger prism housing more boxxy like the 5D mark2."
The poster has also posted several replies to his own thread with a little more info.
CR is reporting they spoke to someone that said Reuters has signed new NDAs with Canon, covering June through August. If true, that could mean some pro gear coming in August/September, perhaps a Canon 1D Mark IV.
According to Google translate, a poster on a Xitek forum claims a head of a Newspaper has been informed the Canon 1D Mark IV will be here in June or July (the Google translation is not ideal).
CR has reported receiving an email stating that we should not to expect a new 1D camera until the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2010. The latest fixes for the 1D series cameras is to help the pros and make a few extra sales for the Olympics.
Apparently the email goes on to explain the financial state of newspapers and news agencies around the globe. There isn't going to be a lot of extra cash around to buy new cameras over the next while.
Newspapers have indeed been closing or scaling back as readership and ad revenue drops. When a plane landed in the Hudson a couple of months ago, two major newspapers ran a front page color photo taken by a witness with an Apple iPhone. Newspapers are switching more and more to online content where Video often makes more of an impact, and stills from modern video cameras are often sufficient for newspaper quality prints. Combine all these together, and demand for Canon 1D/Nikon D3 type cameras look like it will indeed drop in years to come, especially with mid-range cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D700 becoming more and more capable of filling the same role. This will certainly lead to a slowing of the release schedule of such pro bodies, if not worse.
CR spoke to someone they claim is "in the know". That person feels there's a strong possibility the camera will be delayed until well into 2010.
CR also claims their source spoke of "a lot of Canon shooters still using 1D Mark IIn's. Not by choice, but because their newspaper/agency didn't buy new cameras. The others using Mark III's don't see their companies springing for new cameras anytime in the near or distant future. The D3 has sold well, but hasn't made a massive inroad into the pro world. There's been some switchers, but not as many as the internet community thinks. This is at least true in the areas of the planet I shoot"
Their source also speculated "this might be a good time to delay the release and concentrate on merging the 1D/1Ds line instead. If Canon wants to save R&D and manufacturing costs, this would sure be a good way to do it.".
This does make some sense, demands for Newspaper printing aren't that high, as front page photos of a plane in the Hudson taken with a 2 Megapixel Apple iPhone proved - more megapixels aren't really needed, maybe better AF or better high-ISO would help a little, but today's pro bodies are amazing tools for newspaper work, and demand for such is dropping.
According to a "long time trusted source", NI is reporting that the Canon 1D Mark IV is far from imminent: The all new AF is not yet ready and sales of the 1D III have picked up. Because of the AF problems with the Mark III, the Mark IV will not be rushed.
Their source gives two dates that are targeted for potential release, August 2009 or January/February 2010 (3 year cycle).
Also they claim that a key design target for the new model is to have much improved auto-focus in movie mode and live view. This would allow well over 10FPS in a smaller raw or JPEG image mode with main mirror lock up (The aim is to create a class leading FPS for sports and 15-20FPS is in Canon's sights.)
Also, much is still dependent on getting AF not just right, but impressively so.
Broad specs are still similar to what NI reported in November:
FF sensor with dynamic cropping and various sRAW options
A 21mp FF sensor is the equivalent of a ~12.8MP 1.3 crop. 21MP is a proven resolution and a worthwhile step up for 1D III users.
It could though be a 'slightly denser' chip in the 24+MP range. So as not to be seen trailing the Sony A900 and Nikon D3x
At that pixel density there is still a potential level of ISO sensitivity improvement that could be easily added.
Movie Mode and GPS/wireless are almost certain
A visibly different AF system to deal with the market backlash over the 1D III
NI is suggesting that the 1D Mark IV may be out in Q3 this year, in time for the winter Olympics (along with some new lenses). Doesn't sound like they have anything concrete.
By posting this thread it is not my intention to speculate or run the rumour mills but this is genuine fact.
A colleague is the editor of a large media outlet who has just recently been 'lunching' with Canon Sales exec's in relation to the purchase of the new to be released 1DMk4.
Considering the MkIII was released in Feb 07 this is probably no surprise based on Canon's 18-24 month update cycle.
The Mk4 will bring in to line recent upgrades seen in the 5DMk2, such as 920k LCD, Movie mode & revised AF and higher ISO capabilities.
No release date was offered. This may be 'so what!' to many users but anyway at least there shouldn't be any dispute about its name.
Nothing earth shattering here, except that the 1D is the high fps model, so will they still be able to pull of a 10 f.p.s. 1D3 matching and D3 beating frame rate with 21 megapixels? That's a lot of data throughput, but technology is not standing still.
CR is reporting a "pretty reliable source" claims a new 1D will be announced in the August/September timeframe. The camera will ship in limited quantities by October 2009.
He also claims the source didn't reveal any specs , just timing. However they did indicate a couple of big white lenses would also be updated.
CR has issued a prediction for PMA 2009, based on the rumors that they have received. PMA starts in about 3 weeks at the beginning of March, although a release of something is expected next week on February 17th/18th.
They have Predicted there will be no Canon 1 series body for PMA, however they are expecting a new 1D before the Winter Olympics in 2010.
Again, this is their prediction based on rumors they have received.
"WHile searching for the best value/delivery options i spoke to the manager of a well known shop in the UK.
Rumor has it that Canon has a replacement for the 1D MKIII ready to launch during the second quarter of 2009. What's holding Canon back is a decision from FIFA ( those into football know who they are) to allow pro-cameras with video capability ( see 5D MKII) during sporting events. FIFA is currently looking into the legal implications with television rights and contracts with broadcasters. If FIFA give the green light then Canon will release the camera.
"
"I have recently been into one of the Canon authorised service centres to pick up my recently cleaned EOS1ds Mk II.
I got into a fairly detailed discussion with the guy about the relative differences between the slightly older model 1's and the newer models (say the 5 mkII). His view was that the 1's were 'losing ground' in terms of technology against the newer models - the 5 MkII and the 50D.
He said that while the 1ds Mk III was still an awesome body, Canon were set to announce a whole new revamp to their top of the line model - and possibly other in the 1 range especially after Nikon announced the arrival of the D3X recently
He said the announcement was not due to be made until april at the earliest - but more realistically June.
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