Canon Rumored To Release 5D Mark IV Along With Two High Megapixel Cameras

Canon shooters are in for a real treat with not one or two but three new cameras said to be released.

According to the rumor, Canon will not only be releasing the much anticipated 5D Mark IV, but also the often-rumored-never-seen high megapixel camera – in two versions.

While this is absolutely awesome if true, I can’t help but wonder if Canon hasn’t been following Nikon’s experiences with the D800 series.

According to the Canon Rumors the high megapixel cameras, which will be named “EOS 5Ds”, will pack a 53MP sensor. This is not far off from the previous reports that Canon’s sensor will break the current record with 52MP.

In a move that is awfully similar to Nikon’s release of the D800/D800E, Canon’s two versions of the ultra-megapixel camera will supposedly be differentiated only by the presence or lack of an AA filter. At this point it is not known if the filter-less version will not have one at all or if it will be a non functional, or negating, filter whose sole purpose is to maintain the camera’s design.

While the two 5Ds cameras will be a proper response to Nikon’s D810, the 5D Mark IV will follow in the footsteps of the Mark III. It is said to be a lower megapixel camera (assumably no less than the current 22.3MP), designed for event, sports and wildlife photography.

Although there is no release date mentioned, CR states it is not likely all three cameras will be made available at the same time.

Nikon shooters and gear heads in general will remember that Nikon’s D800, the first DSLR to come so close to medium format resolution, was also released in two versions. The D800 had the standard AA filter while the D800E, for all intents and purposes, was lacking the filter (it had a filter which was rendered useless).

When time came to replace these cameras, Nikon opted to go with just one model, the D810, and remove the AA filter completely.

While I know of no official announcement regarding this decision, I assume that either there’s wasn’t enough of a market to justify two models, or that the increased risk of moiré was so slight that Nikon preferred all its customers enjoy the extra sharpness of a filter-less sensor.

Perhaps Canon feels confident that with their larger client pool they will be able to justify two models of the same camera or maybe they are doing it just for the sake of offering another option to their clients.

This move raises once again the question whether AA filters are even needed with so many megapixels in play.

These are definitely happy days for photographers, with Nikon’s rumored firmware download program, and now Canon’s wide selection of camera models.

Here’s hoping both rumors come true!

[via Canon Rumors]