Speculations on the new Rebel

With the PMA only 2 weeks away, I'm betting that Canon will bring out their Rebel replacement before the start. Here're a my predictions on what's in it.

It'll be just like a 20D except it'll have a plastic body, smaller buffer, perhaps the same old Rebel shutter, so it'll probably have lower rated sync speed and frame rate. Otherwise, it'll have all the 20D features. It'll sell for $900 body only and $1000 with kit lens.

The question I'm most interested in is if the body is similar enough to the current one to work in my housing. If it does fit, I'll probably get one.

. Otherwise, it'll have all the 20D features.

Aside from 8MP, what features are in the 20D that you would want/need?

Looking at Canon's track record, I suspect that they won't allow the rebel to match the resolution of the 20D until they increase the rez on the 20D. Canon has consistently maintained resolution in direct proportion to price point and I don't expect them to alter that strategy now. At any point in Canon's history, the more you paid for a camera the more rez and image quality you bought.

In contrast, Nikon has blurred the price/rez/image quality issue by offering improved or comparable chips in its cheaper bodies compared to the pro bodies - as in D1x - D100 - D70. They basically throw in the best chip they have available as newer bodies are introduced. I wouldn't be surprised to see a D200 with 12 MP and improved image quality over the D2x when it arrives.

I suspect that the contrast is partly each company playing to its strength. Nikon wants you to keep your mind on the camera system and functions which it implements very well - and pay for added features. Canon's method reminds you that its all about the image - and you get what you pay for. Based on the exodus on this forum Canon may be right :-(

Aside from 8MP, what features are in the 20D that you would want/need?

the 20D has eTTL 2(well I would actually if they dont change the body I would prefer eTTL 1 so it will work in my Ikelite eTTL 1 housing), Digic 2, faster to clear Buffer, better ISO performance, better AF. The big ones here for me is the ISO performance and AF

Looking at Canon's track record, I suspect that they won't allow the rebel to match the resolution of the 20D until they increase the rez on the 20D. Canon has consistently maintained resolution in direct proportion to price point and I don't expect them to alter that strategy now. At any point in Canon's history, the more you paid for a camera the more rez and image quality you bought.

As far as I can remember there has never been a relationship between Resolution and price with canon.

Pre August 2003

• 1D 4MP Price more than 10D

10D/D60 6MP Priced less than 1D

The higher resolution 10D and D60 cost less than the 1D

Canon prices between August 2003 and January 2004

• 1D 4MP 3400

10D 6MP 1500

300D 6MP 900

Clearly price is not a function of MP. The 300D has more MP but is costs 1/4 the price of the 1D.

Canon prices between January 2004 and August 2004

• 1D 2 8MP 3000

10D 6MP 1500

300D 6MP 900

For the past year the 10D and the 300D have shared the same image sensor with the 10D costing about 600 more than the 300D.

August 2004 to Soon(Based on the pattern)

• 1D 2 8MP 3400

20D 8MP 1500

300D 6MP 900

This Now the 20D and the 1D2 are the same resolution with the 1D2 costing more than twice the 20D.

Based on this track record if a new Rebel is announced soon it will most likely have at 8MP and will cost less than the 20D.

not speechless just confused

[red]edited out: i got confused with my open tabs in firefox and posted in the wrong thread. speculation and guessing of what is coming out doesn't interest me at all, i just like to read everyone joining in and posting what they want to see.[/red]

OMG, Giles is speechless

I think Herb may well be "right", or at least close to the mark. I expect Canon will have an 8MP entry level body soon to counter the d70, but will probably cripple it. Thus to quote/paraphrase the psychic dingo over on dpreview:

"will be 8 vs 6 M Pixel and thus 33% better in over the counter conversations"

The 20D has better auto focus, with 9 focus points. That's higher on the list of reasons to upgrade than more pixels. I do want to have a 2nd camera body as backup and for surface shots when one is in the housing. If the new one won't fit in the housing, I may buy another of the old version.

The reason I think Canon will make the new Rebel almost the same as the 20D is that this would be least expensive to them and lets them competes more effectively against the D70. I don't think they will cripple it for that reason. They'll want to put out a camera that is feature for feature as good or better than the D70.

Remember the history of the original Rebel. It was basically a 10D which had been 'crippled' just enought to make some Canon owners want the more expensive 10D. Sensor and image quanlity was identical. 10D market would have been damaged by the Rebel, but Canon then bought out a 10D replacement good enough to make upgrade from the Rebel attractive.