Canon DSLR Wishlist 2014

roxics

roxics

Veteran
I don't think the DSLR market is dead. I think there will continue to be shoestring budget indie filmmakers who will continue to use these cameras because it's what they can afford and because it offers them cinema-like video qualities. But the cameras should not just stagnate as Canon seems to have mostly done. There are still features I would love to see which I don't think are unreasonable to ask for.

1. Unlimited recordiing time.
Something the GH series seems capable of so I would assume Canon could offer this as well. Just a matter of keeping that sensor cool.

2. Flip out screens.
On more than just the Rebel and 10 series cameras. I would like to see this come to the 7D mkII and possibly the 5D mk4. One shouldn't have to drop to a lower level camera to get this feature.

3. 4K Recording
I don't mind if it's a 4:2:0 H.264 codec. My goal is not distribution of 4K but downsampling to quality 4:4:4 1080p images while still saving some file space.

4. Mic and Headphone jacks across the board.
If it has a mic jack on it, include a headphone jack and manual audio control. This should not be a big cost to implement on all DSLR cameras in the range.

5. Clean HDMI output across the board
Even if not for recording, just for having a nice monitor for clients without all the camera info on it.

6. External XLR adapter (universal)
Maybe something that attaches to the hotshoe of the camera (without any other dangling wires) and is a universal part that can be used on all new DSLR models released henceforce. Maybe even a 1/8" output for the older cameras that don't have the newer hotshoe. Universal so that if you have two different cameras you can swap this adapter between them.

7. Higher bitrate options
I mean why not?

I don't think any of these requests are unreasonable and I don't think implementing any of them would hurt sales of the higher end C series cameras. They would also certainly give Canon a boost in mindshare of HDSLR shooters. Sure it would be nice to have the option to internally record ProRes and possibly compressed raw when needed, but I don't think realisitically we're going to get those things.
I also think it would be great if Canon could produce a hybrid OVF/EVF that swtiched to the EVF when the mirror is up. But I don't know if they are likely to do that kind of thing ever.

What would you like to see for 2014/2015 releases from Canon?
 
I also don't think DSLRs dead at all. Plenty of people are still buying and shooting on them. However, I really don't think Canon are going to release anything you've just mentioned at a price point that is affordable for the average shoestring budget indie filmmaker. Canon have lots of different DSLR and large chip cameras for sale already. Each camera is aimed at a different market. Each camera also has their own product cycle. Look how many mediocre iterations there have been of the T2I. Why would they release a low priced 4K DSLR when they already have the 1DC? Why would they put an external XLR hot-shoe adapter when they already have this on the C100/300/500? Why would they have unlimited recording time on a DSLR camera and then subject themselves to paying more tax in selling them in the EU? It's clear that Canon aren't interested in producing such a versatile camera at lower price point. Look at the recent 70D. Great new auto focus technology whilst still being secondary in quality to the older 5D3. This is no coincidence. Canon aren't too fussed about their competition either. They dominate many areas of the market already too much to care. It's likely way more profitable for them to have lots of different cameras on the market, each with their own different features.

It's also important to remember that at the end of the day, DSLRs are still cameras first, video cameras second. Us filmmakers only make up a small niche of the DSLR buying market.
 
A 5D4 that's competitive with Nikon in terms of DR in RAW stills, and which can still record 1080p RAW video through Magic Lantern. I believe it will come, but probably in 2015.

(I'm surprised your list doesn't include better DR)
 
Samuel H said:
A 5D4 that's competitive with Nikon in terms of DR in RAW stills, and which can still record 1080p RAW video through Magic Lantern. I believe it will come, but probably in 2015.

(I'm surprised your list doesn't include better DR)
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Honestly I had forgot to add that. It would be nice.
 
All of those things on the wish list are currently available from Canon on their C100 and C300 cameras.

They DO offer it...just not in the form factor some seem to prefer.

Seems like that's not a Canon problem...but a problem for some users who, for whatever personal reason, can't accept the idea of using a camera that doesn't look like a traditional still camera. ;)
 
Headphone out and clean HDMI out should be standard features on any video capable DSLR by now.
 
I agree that those features (or most of them) should be on all the DSLRs, but have you spent any time with still photographers lately? They actually hate, as in HATE when Canon adds any non photo features even if they have zero impact on stills performance (which they don't impact at all). Those guys are convinced that Canon is pissing away their core market to chase after a small segment of video shooters. We all know that it's complete nonsense, but it's a common enough complaint from some of the stills guys.
 
Lensmith said:
All of those things on the wish list are currently available from Canon on their C100 and C300 cameras.

They DO offer it...just not in the form factor some seem to prefer.

Seems like that's not a Canon problem...but a problem for some users who, for whatever personal reason, can't accept the idea of using a camera that doesn't look like a traditional still camera. ;)
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It's not the form factor, believe me if the C100 was a $1200 I would take it any day over a DSLR for video work. So it's mostly because the price was cheap and the camera offered HD video on a large sensor with interchangable lenses. That's the real secret to the success of the HDSLR. Not (just) the form factor. Plus the camera doubled as a stills camera. Two for one.

We have to remember that not everyone is a working pro with a gear budget who can drop $5k on a C100 plus glass just because it's the right tool for the job. There are still a lot of twenty-something shoestring budget filmmakers and hobbyists. People making shorts and even features for a couple grand. I know because I was one of them in my twenties. Back then I was able to afford a used XL1 for $3000 and that was a huge chunk of change for me. That's basically the same budget as DSLR with a couple decent lenses and a Zoom recorder today.

Andrius Simutis said:
I agree that those features (or most of them) should be on all the DSLRs, but have you spent any time with still photographers lately? They actually hate, as in HATE when Canon adds any non photo features even if they have zero impact on stills performance (which they don't impact at all). Those guys are convinced that Canon is pissing away their core market to chase after a small segment of video shooters. We all know that it's complete nonsense, but it's a common enough complaint from some of the stills guys.
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Oh I know and it's insane the way these people think. I really can't wrap my head around it. To me if you like making images you would want to explore both mediums and having a single camera to do that is awesome. But they seem to be stuck in this perpetual state of photo-only like a bunch of stodgy old men who are way too overprotective of their lawn.
 
Lensmith said:
All of those things on the wish list are currently available from Canon on their C100 and C300 cameras.

They DO offer it...just not in the form factor some seem to prefer.

Seems like that's not a Canon problem...but a problem for some users who, for whatever personal reason, can't accept the idea of using a camera that doesn't look like a traditional still camera. ;)
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The C300 body is nice, but I think it is a bit redundant.

Seems like with simple manufacturer mods, a DSLR body could become that. 1. A screw on the right side grip to add a functional grip. 2. An ND + motion shutter swap out for the mirror box prism. Seems like that would lower production costs quite a bit......

Then if you want a "production" camera, the C300 shape doesn't seem as nice as other production cams.

C300, nice to have the option, but rarely my choice.
 
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Andrius Simutis said:
I agree that those features (or most of them) should be on all the DSLRs, but have you spent any time with still photographers lately? They actually hate, as in HATE when Canon adds any non photo features even if they have zero impact on stills performance (which they don't impact at all). Those guys are convinced that Canon is pissing away their core market to chase after a small segment of video shooters. We all know that it's complete nonsense, but it's a common enough complaint from some of the stills guys.
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roxics said:
Oh I know and it's insane the way these people think. I really can't wrap my head around it. To me if you like making images you would want to explore both mediums and having a single camera to do that is awesome. But they seem to be stuck in this perpetual state of photo-only like a bunch of stodgy old men who are way too overprotective of their lawn.
Click to expand...

We've seen this before with the advent of HD while many wanted to stick with SD and felt threatened by the new stuff.

Same for AVCHD coming along and rocking the boat for those whose "comfort zone" was HDV.

Now it's quality "motion picture" capability in what those folks think ought to remain strictly still cameras. They feel threatened and are scared to death they will be dragged into the new stuff, kicking and screaming all the way.
 
Bruce Foreman said:
We've seen this before with the advent of HD while many wanted to stick with SD and felt threatened by the new stuff.

Same for AVCHD coming along and rocking the boat for those whose "comfort zone" was HDV.

Now it's quality "motion picture" capability in what those folks think ought to remain strictly still cameras. They feel threatened and are scared to death they will be dragged into the new stuff, kicking and screaming all the way.
Click to expand...
There's definitely some of that, but what this small group complain about the most loudly, and they are pretty loud in relation to their size, is that these video features are taking away from their stills performance and running up the price of the cameras. Clearly that's not the case, as the basic functionality was already there with Liveview, and the cost of any sort of hardware like the mic plug, amp, and headphone jack is easily offset by the larger volume of sales that the video customers provide.
I was looking at a chart of sales figures for Canon and their point and shoots have fallen way off, while their DSLRs saw a nice increase from 2009 when the 5DII came out. I don't know for sure, but I'd suspect that a big part of that increase is from video shooters.
 
Not easy to read: the 5D2 was a big hit for photogs too.

What I would see as the biggest Canon win regarding DSLR video, is the increase in sales of L glass. The typical DSLR video shooter spends a lot more money on glass than the typical DSLR stills shooter (in fact most of those stick to the kit lens).
 
At this point all I really want is a C100 with 1080p50. Heck, even 720p50 would suffice for a few years as long as it's better than the 720p on the DSLR's. I can't believe they left that feature out of the C100 - I know dozens of action sports shooters who have dropped all their canon gear to go to Sony FS100/700 or even the RED Scarlet, simply to get 1080p50/60.

These days it's a feature on most $300 point & shoot cameras - yet Canon can't include it in on a $6000 professional camera? And instead they give us a broadcast format (50i) in their Cinema camera?
 
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