Not long after I suggested that a mirrorless version of a 1D X camera was still a long way off, Canon Rumors reports that Canon is a few weeks from announcing a 45-megapixel RF-mount beast that shoots at 20 frames per second (12 fps mechanical). Can this be true?
Such a rumor was being taken with a pinch of salt until Canon Rumors doubled down on it yesterday. This new mirrorless camera is said to have 5 stops of in-body stabilization and shoot 8K raw video at 30 fps. As Canon News describes, if this outlandish array of specs proves to be true, this could be regarded by many as “the last camera I’ll ever have to buy.”
Canon News goes on to break down the figures, arguing that the 1D X Mark III’s blistering speed processes 400 million pixels per second when its 20.1 megapixels are blasting away at 20 frames per second. This supposed “R5” camera would need to process data at 900 million pixels per second, putting incredible demands on the processor and generating a significant amount of heat. The new DIGIC X processor inside the 1D X Mark III is certainly impressive, but is this possible? Battery life could be an issue, making some doubt that such a camera would be likely at this stage.
For me, what made it improbable is the recent release of the 1D X Mark III itself and Canon’s priorities for continuing the development and roll-out of its mirrorless cameras. The a9 II probably does not need mirrorless competition (as argued in this article), and Canon fans seem much more interested in a 5D Mark IV or 5DS equivalent (read more here), rather than something that is geared for insane levels of speed. This, apparently, might not be such a concern if Canon has this level of technology to deploy who might be about to produce something epic. Brace yourselves for an announcement in February with launch slated for July this year.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.