Its official: Canon will be making a 70D, but the big question now becomes this: will it be full-frame? This wave of speculation comes in the heels of an interview with Masaya Maeda, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Canon's Image Communication Products operations. The interview was published on Digital Photography Review.
When asked on the future of semi-pro Canon dSLRs (like the 60D and ancestors line) and whether full-frame could trickle farther down the company's lineup, Maeda said “that's something we're considering at the moment. From our semi-pro users there's still demand for APS-C but in the future, I think we will see an increase in the number of full-frame models.”
So, what does that all mean? In short, nothing specific.
Taking Maeda at his word, he is only reinforcing what has been taking place for over a decade now: full-frame becoming more affordable.
See also: all dSLRs will eventually be FF
Back in 2002, Canon launched the first commercially successful FF digital camera: the 11Mp EOS 1Ds. Initial MSRP: $8000, pro and rich amateur territory. Come 2005, Canon, having a monopoly on the FF digital market, decided to make FF more affordable when it launched its EOS 5D, which initially sold for $3500. Now, while not cheap in itself, $3500 is a lot more affordable that $8000. In the years between 2005 and 2011, Nikon and Sony went FF, launching cameras in the same price range as the $3000 price range. Come 2012, Canon launched its EOS 6D and Nikon its D600, both priced at $2100, which, with a little saving (or dipping into one's bank account), is well within the reach of most amateurs with a half way decent job.
So, come 2013, could sub $1500 FF be on the horizon? Quite possibly, for two reasons. First: neither Canon or Nikon has launched a true pro-grade FF camera in 4 years (Canon 7D and Nikon D300s). In the age of digital, 4 years is an eternity and, with each day that goes by without a new such camera, the probability of either manufacturer making another drops a little more. Second: the trend toward affordable FF is undeniable as if there was no demand, the D600 and 6D wouldn't be perpetually on backorder. For the manufacturers, there is an untapped market waiting, the only question is how long will they make the public wait.
Oh, yes, Maeda said that a 70D is in Canon's future, but only time will tell whether it will be APS-C or FF.
Want to buy photo gear in the Cleveland area? Well, there's Cleveland-based Dodd Camera, with its downtown superstore. In addition, there are many smaller Cleveland metro area chain stores in the Cuyahoga County area, too. Dodd is an authorized Canon dealer.
For more info:
Digital Photography Review
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