News of Canon’s announcement of the new EOS 5D cropped sensor mid-range DSLR is all over the web today – well, at least all over the photographic portion of the web. The new body updates the X0D line from the recent 40D, primarily by updating the 1.6x cropped sensor to 15 megapixels. According to Canon this was done while increasing the performance at high ISOs, keeping the burst rate almost the same as that of the 40D, and maintaining image quality by the use of “gapless microlenses” that can capture more light than would have been the case with older designs. There are other feature updates as well, and it looks like the price will be roughly but not precisely in the same ballpark as that of the 50D… at least once the prices drop a few months after the introduction of the new camera.

What does this mean for the DSLR buyer? The answer is, “It depends.”

If I were (I’m not) already in the market for a cropped sensor camera body of this type I would almost certainly select this body over the 40D. On the other hand, price-sensitive buyers will probably now be able to pick up the excellent 40D for a lot less than they would spend on the 50D. While there can be advantages in using a sensor with “more megapixels,” the difference in these terms is actually fairly slight. You would see absolutely no difference in the image quality in jpg images posted online in typical sizes, and you would see no difference in letter size prints either. It sounds like there is no disadvantage (aside from the initial higher price) in getting the 50D, but the advantages over the 40D are going to be incremental rather than “night and day.”

And, of course, there is little reason for most folks to “upgrade” from a 40D to a 50D. Inevitably there will be a few folks who “have to have the best” who will sell of their fine 40D so that they can get a 50D… only to discover that their photographs don’t change as a result. (Smart used camera shoppers will seek out these sellers and get good deals on used 40D bodies!)

But in my view the 50D itself is not the real story. The more interesting development is that Canon is now seeing some real competition in the DSLR market and we may be starting to see Canon’s response. During the past year Nikon basically caught up with Canon in virtually all parts of this market (except – so far – the niche occupied by the 1DsMKIII) and arguably surpassed Canon in a few areas. And Sony is coming on strong with new bodies including an upcoming full-frame model. During the time when Canon had the clear lead in technology developments (higher MP cropped sensor bodies and essentially the only full frame bodies) it sometimes appeared that Canon was taking a “go slow” approach to improving and updating their cameras and their lenses. But with renewed competition from Nikon and the prospect of serious competition from Sony, I think that buyers/owners of all DSLR brands are going to see some real benefits in terms of feature developments and pricing.

I have some hunches about where things may lead in the next year or two. I think we are going to see full-frame cameras at lower price points before long. Nikon threw down the gauntlet here with their introduction of the D700, with almost all of the features of their D3 but at a much lower price. With that on the table I think Canon is going to have to do something special to follow up on the 5D. I also continue to think that someone – perhaps Canon, though it could be Sony, too – will eventually introduce a full-frame body at a price point that is competitive with the X0D bodies and the Nikon D300. As a background to all of this, I think that pricing will become somewhat more competitive, especially if the rumors about Sony introducing their full-frame body at a much lower price turn out to be true. In addition, I give some credence to rumors that Canon may update some of their lenses so that they will better take advantage of much higher photosite density sensors that will be introduced before long. Finally, buyers of introductory-level DSLRs such as Canon’s Rebel line are starting to see more of the high end features in their cameras – frankly, these are very competent little cameras that provide more than enough photographic power and quality for most folks in the market for a first DSLR.

(Update: And only hours later Nikon announced their new D90 – more or less in the same market segment but with some different features. Its ability to do video is compelling – especially given that it can record video using the varying focal lengths and excellent optical quality of DSLR lenses – and this feature is likely to end up on most DSLRs before too much longer. The D9- looks like a fine camera and a worthy competitor to the 50D.)

G Dan Mitchell Photography

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