Knowing my procrastinatory skills, I will soon be hankering after the full-frame goodness of the 5D MkIII...

The 7D's not full-frame?

Mark

Nope. But then I didn't expect a Nikon shooter to need to know that.

As you've noted, the 550D is a cut-down 7D. It's the same CCD and focus system, same pixel count, etc.

It's all ammunition Heather. (8+)Hmm, just bumped everything else for the mid-range then.
This'll probably see an end to the 450D I suspect.

Mark

I think this certainly confirms the end of the xxD series (30D, 40D, 50D etc.). I couldn't see why anyone would buy a 50D instead of the slightly more pricey 7D, and I guess by bumping the lower model a bit more they've evened up the spread a bit. Oh, I forgot they'd added something beneath the xxxDs as well, so the entry-point for novices is now potentially the 1000D, then 550D, then a fork between speed (7D -> 1Div (Oh how I hate that name!)) or pricier full-frame-ness (5DII -> 1DsIII).

I knew it wouldn't be long before you commented on this Edd. (8+)
Thanks for the clarification on Canon's structure. It's almost as confusing as Nikon's.

Mark

Well I wanted to wait until I was on the clock (8-p)

I know some people disagree with me as to the split between full-frame and speed, but essentially the parallel cameras (ie. 7D & 5DII, 1D & 1Ds) have the same number of Canon's Digic processors, but the larger sensor varients use them to process the higher res images, where as the smaller sensor versions use them to process images faster.

That's the same with the top-end Nikon cameras. As of right now, the speed of my camera hasn't been surpassed by either of the two newer 'upgrades', but they have both been given stuff mine hasn't got.

Mark

I've said before and I'll say again the 7D isn't a bit more pricey than the 50D, it's £500 odd more expensive which is quite a jump in my book.
I would expect the 550D to come down to similar or perhaps slightly more than the 500D was beofre the 550D was launched with the 500D slipping down to a similar possition as the 450D.

I still think there is a place for the xxD series as a bridge between the xxxD and 7D (which I suspect will be upgraded to a 7D marke II at some point).
The xxD series has a more robust body design than the xxxD series and also uses CF cards common on the more expensive range (550D still on SD/SDHC).
Assuming the 550D ends up at about the £550 - £600 mark and the 7D stays roughtly where it is at around £1200 (both doby only) then that leaves a fairly big £600 gap in the range. I suppose that's a similar model to Nikons at the moment but equally Canon don't seem to be too set on reducing the number of different bodies they have kicking about.
I won't be surprised if we see a 55D or 60D appearing at some point that also uses some features from the 7D.

Yep, I agree. It's a semi-decent bit of glass more expensive, but it's still a long way off the £4.2k price tag of the EOS 1DS MkIV.
So I guess by comparison, that £500 is small change.
Of course, this is no help at all if you don't have the funds for a 1DS MkIV.

Mark

What 1Ds Mk IV?

Sorry, 1D MkIV.

Mark

Well, the cheque is in the bank. Once it's cleared I'll be in a position to get a shiny new camera.
I was starting to wonder if it would really happen.

Have you decided which camera?

Mark

I want a D700. FX sensor in a smaller body and a not so crazy (i.e. D3/D3s/D3x) price tag.