It is quite official, if there ever could be such a thing as “official” rumor-wise. There will be no direct replacement to the 5D this spring at PMA… This is from THE guy who always predicts cameras dead-on just a few days before they are announced. AKA, the official rat for Canon, whether on purpose or not…

Our only hope now is that Canon DOES indeed plan to diverge their lineup, coming out with TWO different camera bodies, code named 7D and 3D. Both would be full-frame, the 7D would basically be the 5D replacement that you are looking for, a 40D with a FF sensor, and then the 3D would basically be the ultimate FF adventure photography camera that *I* would be interested in, with speed, weather sealing, and all-around pro series specs as numerous as possible…

The betting is that the 7D will be seen on Jan. 24th. I’m not holding my breath, but it’s a hope to hold onto nonetheless!

Again, COME ON, CANON! Nikon is SO CLOSE to entering this arena too! Your days of offering the ONLY “affordable full frame” camera out there are so definitely numbered. Sony and Pentax are also rumored to be entering this arena sooner or later, and they are the KINGS of making bodies insanely affordable.

So, Canon 7D, in less than 7 days:

14-16 megapixels

ISO 6400 or 12800

5 FPS

3″ LCD

live view

sensor cleaner

14-bit RAW recording

9-point AF of the 40D

2 weather seal gaskets of the 40D, magnesium body, but otherwise no other pro specs.

It’s that simple Canon. Release the camera!

=Matt=