After being rumored for several weeks, information has leaked on a couple of new full frame cameras Canon will announce next week with 50+ megapixel sensors.
The Specs
I have been resisting posting an article based on rumors, but I have seen it reported enough now I think it is as sure a thing as it can be. According to a canonrumors.com post where they say the leaked information has been confirmed, the following are the specs of the new Canon 5DS and 5DS R camera bodies that will be announced mid-February 2015:
- 50.6mp full frame CMOS
- 53mp total resolution
- 5DS R has no low pass filter
- AF 61 points (41 points cross type)
- ISO 100-6400 (extended with ISO50 and 12800)
- Dual DIGIC 6
- 2 inch LCD 1.04 million pixels
- RAW (50MP), M-RAW (28MP), S-RAW (12.4MP)
- CF (UDMA7), SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I)
- Crop modes 1.3x and 1.6x
- 100% field of view
- Magnification 0.71 times, the eye point 21 mm
- Electronic Level
- Grid display
- EV-2 support.
- Itr AF
- Anti-flicker
- Time-lapse movie
- Bulb timer
- Face recognition during live view
- 150,000 pixel RGB-TR metering sensor
- 252 zone TTL metering
- EOS iSA system
- Shutter speed is 30 seconds -1/8000 seconds
- Synchro is 1/200 sec
- Continuous shooting 5 frames / sec
- Video 1920×1080 30fps (ALL-I or IPB)
- Mini HDMI output terminal
- External microphone terminal
- Battery LP-E6N / LP-E6
- Dimensions 152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
- Weight 930g (CIPA guidelines). 845g (body only)
- Availability is late March/early April
Megapixels, Megapixels, Megapixels!
Finally! That is the sentiment I am getting from the Canon fan boys out there who have been taking a beating on the subject of sensor quality from their Nikon counterparts for some time. For many photographers it is all about the megapixels. Jim has talked a lot on the podcast about how he just can’t give up the details and “cropability” of the shots taken with the 36 megapixels offered by his beloved Nikon D810. So a 50+MP sensor should be slam dunk, right?
I think it is too early to tell. Remember this is still based on rumor (albeit supposedly confirmed). Canon has been playing from behind for many years now to the Sony manufactured sensors in Nikon and some Sony bodies. Those sensors have not only had higher megapixel counts, they technically test out quite a better on signal-to-noise as well. So, I think we need to see what some of the technical testing of the new sensor shows before we get too excited.
I also love the points made in this article over at photographylife.com on the topic:
[blockquote cite=”Nasim Mansurov, photographylife.com” type=”left”]…think about all the consequences of such sensors. Larger RAW files will require more memory and more powerful computers to handle them. Hand-holding technique will have to be solid if one does not want to see potential blur at pixel level / 100% zoom. Backup and storage requirements will rise. There will be a need for more precise focusing. Determining depth of field and calculating precise hyperfocal distance will be critical. Mirror and shutter vibrations will be more noticeable. Diffraction will kick in at larger apertures…[/blockquote]
Nasim also speculated that it is likely that lenses over 5 years old may not work well on such a high megapixel sensor. Those lenses were not designed for the flat, high resolution sensors and may be fine in the middle of the frame, but get unacceptably soft as you go toward the edges – effectively taking away the advantage of all those megapixels. Time will tell.
My “Hobbyist” Reaction
This (coming) announcement is especially pertinent to me. I am a Canon shooter (see my article here on how a beginner should choose their first camera). I am currently shooting a Canon 60D and looking to upgrade my camera body here in the next month or two.
However, I am not considering either of these camera bodies. First off, although we don’t have any pricing information, I am confident it will be WELL out of my budget. Second, I don’t have the lenses to really utilize the current Canon 5D offerings, let alone one of these monsters. Third, I am disappointed in the ISO and movie recording (still no 4K!) specs. Actually, beyond the 50MP, seems to me like there isn't much special here.
As I wrote in this article in late 2014, I think the Canon 7D MII is the ultimate camera body for hobbyists. Go check out the article for the details. That is what I have my sights set on, can’t wait to compare it with my trusty 60D.
What are your thoughts? This the next camera for any of you?
Hi
Why most of photographer like the nikon and in every test they compar any new camera with the d810
But actully in fact i see the 5d iii is the camera wich we recomend for most of joulanst and decomentry
So i think the canon is better than nikon and from they start to sale the 5diii nikon switch from d800 to 810
And still canon the same
Untell april lunched 5ds.
Do you advise to by the new vigen or still in last diii
Thanx
@Waleed,
I haven’t used the 5DS, it hasn’t had a lot of 3rd party reviews yet, so I can’t make a recommendation between it and the 5D MIII. 50 megapixels is completely new for sensor resolution, so there is no telling yet how that is going to work out in combination with lenses and shooting techniques. We are going to have to wait for more information.
@Waleed:
The reason so many photographers compare any new camera to the D810, and more recently to the D750 is because they lead the way in sensor technology at present. The D810, until the anouncement of the 5DS(R) had the highest MP count of any full frame, with some of the best low ISO on the market. The D750 has arguably the best dynamic range on the market at present. The fact of the matter is that Canon are lagging behind in the sensor department, even if you argue that the Canon glass is better, especially when looking at the 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 and the f1.2 lenses.
For more of an idea of the sensor comparisons, Ross Harvey puts it quite well on his blog. Have a look here: http://www.rossharvey.com/reviews/nikon-d750-review and especially in the “extreme sensor test” area, where he underexposes both a D750 and a 5D MkIII to 5 stops and then pushes them in post production. The Nikon wins hands down.
The fact of the matter is that at the moment, the Canon sensors lag behind the Nikon’s, and until Canon lead the way, any new camera bodies will be compared to the Nikon, and not the Canons they replace. If the Canon leads the way in sensor tech, then I would expect all new cameras from any brand to be pitted against the Canon.
I hope that this answers some of your question as to why most Photographers compare new bodies to the Nikon offerings.
Have a wonderful day, and happy shooting!