Canon – Nikon – Sony DSLR Rumors – 2012

As usually when a lot of rumors are out, I post combination of all and my thoughts as well. In the past few weeks, we have not only seen a lot of rumors from Canon and Nikon, but from Sony as well.

2011 did not bring any huge improvements, and except for the Canon EOS 1D X and Sony a77, nothing extraordinary was announced. Nothing unusual though, why release something new so soon when your current technology has millions of users. Sony can afford to experiment with new things because that’s their only way to compete with Canon and Nikon.

Canon

5D Mark III

With 1D X and C300 video camera, there is no way they will announce another professional model so soon.

There haven’t been any detailed or real rumors out, but that doesn’t mean 5D Mark III is not coming out. Companies know what they will bring out years before they actually announce it.

5D Mark II has 9 more megapixels than the original 5D. That should mean the 5D Mark III will come with 30 megapixels, but I personally think anywhere from 24 to 36 is possible.

Rebel T4i/650D

Even though the Rebel T3i came just a few months ago, Canon likes to update their lowest line as soon as the year starts. CanonRumor reports it could have a 24 megapixel sensor, and it sounds reasonable. A little bit better high ISO performance and other minor improvements are expected as usually.

They could already announce it in Janaury – February! However, if it does come with a new sensor, could it be what we will also see in the 7D Mark II and 70D?

70D & 7D Mark II

Nothing new here, 7D Mark II could be announced at Photokina 2012, while for the 70D I have absolutely no idea. It’s quite early to talk about it as well, the 60D is a little bit over one year old.

Maybe 650D’s sensor will tell us what they will have.

Lenses

Rumor has it that we will see a new 35mm f/1.4L and 24-70mm f/2.8L II on January 3d. I can think of many other lenses that could be upgraded, and most people also hoped the 24-70mm will come with Image Stabilization.

There is also some talk about a new 70-200mm f/4 telephoto zoom, but this is such an amazing lens they probably don’t need to upgrade it for a long time!

I would love to see a new 50mm f/1.4 and 14-24mm f/2.8.

Nikon

Nikon D4

NikonRumors got some specifications of the D4, but it may not be totally true:

• 16.2 Megapixels
• ISO 100 – 102,400 (50, 204,800)
• 11fps
• CF + XQD (new type) memory card slots
• Integrated Ethernet
• Improved video; most likely better frame rates
• Uncompressed video out through the HDMI port
• Face detection function in the viewfinder
• Improved 51AF points

Seems like both Canon and Nikon have settled on a low megapixel professional DSLR. The specifications seem realistic, and very similar to the D3s. XQD is a new type of memory cards that won’t be available for a few months, so the D4 will probably be available when XQD hits the stores.

Nikon D800

D800 was supposed to be announced on October 26th. Specifications are still the same, we can probably expect it after the D4 is announced. They are probably waiting for the 5D Mark III to come out (or Canon is waiting on them, who knows).

D400

There isn’t anything out about the D400 yet, and it will probably be announced this summer, or after the 7D Mark II. I think it will use a 24 megapixel sensor.

Lenses

Only 18-300mm superzoom and 85mm f/1.8 AF-S are said to be announced soon.

Sony

When it comes to DSLRs with new technology, Sony wins hands down. Electronic viewfinders, translucent mirrors, high frame rates etc. Due to floods there aren’t many a77 or a65′s in my country, but I managed to get my hands on them and they’re quite interesting. I didn’t really like the viewfinder but I guess it is something you get used to after a while. Video and its low light performance were excellent.

A lot of people have been waiting on Sony to announce a Full Frame model and we are probably going to see it in spring 2012. One will definitely use a 36 megapixel sensor, and one may also come with 24 megapixels. As soon as they announce a FF model, it means Sony is very serious about being on top of the DSLR market.

Most of these great photography devices are probably going to be announced before or during PMA in Las Vegas (January 10-13).