New things are brewing

[Jeff Keller]

A reliable source has tipped me off to some new Canon stuff... so if you were thinking about buying an A75, A85, or S500, you might want to wait a month or so. There is probably some other stuff that I don't know about, as well. And that's all I have to say on the matter. :cool:

[waterboy]

Awesome...Hopefully a worthy successor to the S1 IS!
I hope Canon has been doing their homework :D

Perhaps: An AF illuminator, larger LCD and more megapixels!

[kimnicho]

I'm patiently waiting like a panther for the A75 to go down to >$150 so I can pouce on it !!!!

[Rhys]

Awesome...Hopefully a worthy successor to the S1 IS!
I hope Canon has been doing their homework :D

Perhaps: An AF illuminator, larger LCD and more megapixels!

I like the LCD. I'm not too bothered about the AF illuminator. i'd like to see better low-light focus and more megapixels are always welcome.

[V_Dub1605]

i've had an A85 for a few months now and as long as they keep the AA batteries thing going, I'm sure things can only get better :)

[Sunny]

Jeff,
Any Idea on the price range for the new stuff that cannon might release? I was basically looking at Cannon A75 because its on of the best in the sub 200$ Range, But now I am willing to wait :-)
Thanks
Sunny

[MobstaJ]

I was so hopeful that you were going to say rebel/300d replacement.

[D70FAN]

I was so hopeful that you were going to say rebel/300d replacement.

And Canon would do that because?

[Jeff Keller]

I was so hopeful that you were going to say rebel/300d replacement.

You might be surprised next month...

My lips are now officially sealed.

[Miles Davis]

Hmmm.... Glad I read this today, I was JUST going to go down to Ritz and pick up the A75 for $199. Hope we get some more info soon, I'm getting antsy to get a digital camera.
Actually, I've also thought of the sd200, but wasn't sure the picture quality was as good as the 75 and the total cost of all the extra batteries and other things could add up to extra.

[easyj]

If I had to guess, I would think that Canon is going to announce another consumer DSLR next month. However, I think there is a possibility that they will keep the Digital Rebel around as their cheap DSLR, and introduce an intermediate model between the Digital Rebel and the 20D. Personally, I always thought the original Rebel was kind of a junky, consumer-type SLR and the digital model carries on this tradition. it's expensive for what it is. If they could get the dRebel price down to about $600 and introduce an "Elan" style 8MP plastic DSLR (with a faster frame rate and a bigger buffer) for around $900, they would have camera that would easily win against Nikon's D70. Why get rid of the Digital rebel now, when it easily beats out every point-and-shoot on the market? They can make money with it for a least another year or two.

That's what I would do if I was making decisions at Canon.

[ProblemSolver]

Many of us want larger LCDs - Obviously, due to the fact that Canon's LCD screens are waaaaaaaay too small. 1.8" is small and 1.5" screens are tiny! C'mon Canon! Competitors (Esp Sony) are already moving towards 2.0" or larger.

I've looked at the S1 IS, A95 and S500 and there are ways to fit in larger LCDs. First and most obvious is to remove that big, fat bulky frame which surrounds most Canon (Non SLR) cameras. Second is the button arrangement as follows:

S1 IS - Move the buttons more towards the right (When looking at the back). That can make way for at least a 2.0" LCD

A95 - The back is a little crowded but there's still a way! Move the viewfinder towards the left and put some buttons at the top. That can fit at least a 2.2" LCD

S500 - Move the "SET", "MENU", "DISP" and "FUNC" button to the right side of the LCD. That can also fit in a 2.2" LCD

[ProblemSolver]

By referring to the image I posted (S500), red shows what buttons should be moved first, dark red should be moved second and green, expansion of LCD

1. Move the 4 buttons under the screen to the side and the mode dial to the top of the camera

2. The print/share button should be moved to the top left (since it's not used when taking pictures)

3. The 1.5 inch LCD screen is able to be expanded till 2.2"

[zero]

Oh I hope they say something about G6 replacement. If not coming out soon, at least announce the planned features.

[haikai]

Many of us want larger LCDs - Obviously, due to the fact that Canon's LCD screens are waaaaaaaay too small. 1.8" is small and 1.5" screens are tiny! C'mon Canon! Competitors (Esp Sony) are already moving towards 2.0" or larger.

I've looked at the S1 IS, A95 and S500 and there are ways to fit in larger LCDs.

it's probably a lot easier for us consumers to point out how a camera can be changed, but i'm sure there are a lot of complicated electronics in that frame that are not easily wired into certain places. there is also something to be said of ergonomics and the fine line between placing things to that they are convenient and yet do not get in the way of clumsy fingers. :)

2"+ lcd screens would be great, but they normally come at a cost. on really compact cameras this usually means getting rid of the optical viewfinder which is not a great trade off.

hai

[Miles Davis]

Just saw this on www.dpreview.com

Pre-PMA 2005: Canon has today announced the successor to the just under one year old PowerShot A75, the new PowerShot A510. This four times optical zoom three megapixel digital camera is aimed at the entry level user with a basic range of features. The biggest difference compared to the A75 are its size and weight (it's 13% smaller and 20% ligher), the inclusion of a new four times optical zoom lens (the A75 had a three times), zoom linked flash, a shift from Compact Flash to SD card for storage and a drop two two AA batteries from four. In addition Canon has also introduced a new optional slave flash.

No word on how much it will cost.

[kimnicho]

I agree and applaud All of the improvements! I only wished they would offer "unlimited" video...oh welll - can't have it all! If it's less than $200, I will be adding it to my (growing) collection! I also like the flash add-on. smart.

[zero]

Only one new camera announcement? I thought maybe there would be at least 3. Oh well.

[ProblemSolver]

2"+ lcd screens would be great, but they normally come at a cost. on really compact cameras this usually means getting rid of the optical viewfinder which is not a great trade off.

I don't think that the 2" screen will get rid of the optical viewfinder on Canon compact cameras (Esp the S500). 1.5" is just too small, plus, there is still room for expansion.

Another thing is, the new PowerShot A510 has a 1.8" LCD screen, 4x zoom lens, more manual controls and scene modes plus conversion lens and external flash compatible but is HALF the price of the S500 which has a 1.5" LCD, 3x zoom, less manual controls, no scene modes, no conversion lenses and no external flash. I've a feeling that Digital ELPHs are made as "fashion statements" and that's what you're paying for! I wish Canon would give more features for the price they're charging (Or just lower the price)

[ProblemSolver]

Only one new camera announcement? I thought maybe there would be at least 3. Oh well.

Maybe they're announce the other 2 you were expecting later on (Maybe in a week or so?)

[Miles Davis]

I kind of like that it seems to be a Nikon 3200 body with Canon digi-cam quality (I prefer Nikon film cams though), great menus and manual controls. Plus 4x zoom. I'd kind of like to see if they have a 4 mp model too, but at $199, I think I'm going to pick this one up when it comes out, I've waited long enough! Interestingly enough, Amazon gives a 2/25 ship date. I wonder when Jeff will get his to review!

Lastly, at a Best Buy store today, I saw that the A75 had been taken away and a hand written sign said "Canon 510 coming soon $199).

[ProblemSolver]

Good news - This may be just the beginning as this is the first new Powershot model of 2005 and more may be coming round the corner in February. Fingers crossed ;) . The A510 has really great specs but sadly, just a big too big for my pocket. So, I'm still waiting for a 6 or 7 MP version of the S500.

ADD: They may come out with a 4 MP version of the A510 because usually 2 A series models are released (A10 and A20 plus A60 and A70)

[Jeff Keller]

Good news - This may be just the beginning as this is the first new Powershot model of 2005 and more may be coming round the corner in February. Fingers crossed ;) . The A510 has really great specs but sadly, just a big too big for my pocket. So, I'm still waiting for a 6 or 7 MP version of the S500.

ADD: They may come out with a 4 MP version of the A510 because usually 2 A series models are released (A10 and A20 plus A60 and A70)

ProblemSolver, I think you'll be happy soon enough.

[ProblemSolver]

Thanks, Jeff. When you say that a new camera is coming, I know that it will :D (Such as in this thread: http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4118)

[ProblemSolver]

Oh yes, by the way, Jeff, do you happen to know how soon and what the specs may be? I can wait a little while for the camera but what I'm excited about is the specs ;)

[Fredrik]

I'm sure the new Ixus will be great, but have you heard anything about Pro 2?

I talked to someone at Canon earlier this week, and he knew about the upcoming models but couldn't say anything. When I asked him about a new Pro camera he didn't confirm nor deny.

Have you heard any rumors regarding a possible Pro 2?

[Jeff Keller]

I'm under NDA and can't give out any details... you guys will have to wait a few weeks...

[D70FAN]

I'm under NDA and can't give out any details... you guys will have to wait a few weeks...

Ya do this to us every year. I bet camera sales plunge just before PMA, because you keep your readers in suspense. ;)

We don't need details, just camera numbers. We can figure out where they fit. Right gang?

like the Z5... yes? 5MP version of the Z3? yes... easy... uh, A510 is part of the Canon A500 family? ...wait a minute isn't that a Fuji number?...well that would have been confusing, and still is. :confused:

Nevermind, I'll wait.

[FAUguy]

I'd like to know why the A510 does not use the new
DIGIC-II chip, but the 200/300 does.
I hope if they repace the A95 that it will use the newer
DIGIC-II. If the only difference between the A95 (which I
have) and it's replacement is the SD card, a little bit smaller/ligher,
and 4X zoom, I doubt I'd buy it.
However, if it does have the DIGIC-II, can record longer vids,
and a larger rotating LCD, then I may think about it.

[zero]

I bet camera sales plunge just before PMA


What is a PMA?

[Miles Davis]

Jeff,

Is there any chance we might get a review before the A510 becomes available to purchase at the end of the month?

-M :D

[Sunny]

Hi
Yeah I agree with miles I think even we should get the all cannon new releases reviewed as soon as possible
Sunny

[Jeff Keller]

Jeff,

Is there any chance we might get a review before the A510 becomes available to purchase at the end of the month?

-M :D

This month? Not a chance. Next month, most likely.

[easyj]

If canon releases a 7MP upgrade to the S500 with digic II and a better movie mode, I am a player. They better keep the Compact Flash memory.

[newyawka]

Thanks for saying what you did, Jeff. You may regret it because of all of the questions that you can't/aren't allowed to answer, but you just gave me reason to wait on buying a Canon A95.
Personally, I can't wait to see your review(s)!

[EAP]

The A510 retails for $199.

[ReF]

i don't work at canon or anything, but i really doubt that models like the A95 and G6 are going to be replace this soon, as they only came out last august. models like the pro1, s1 IS, and s500 will most likely be the ones replaced, since they were announced last feb. the only exception seems to be the d-rebel, which has already been out for a year and 4-5 months. i think they'll announce it's replacement as soon as their rebate promo for it ends.

[pickles]

Hi all, I have been enjoting this site for some time and "lurking" for a while too. Using the excellent reviews on this and a number of other sites, I bought an A95 after not liking the SD300. I love the A95 but have recently used a freinds SD20 and am blown away by the quality of the pics, size of unit etc. Before I sell my A95 & go for the SD20 (Ixus i5), I wonder if, with your help Mr Keller you may just advise me to "wait a while" ;) as you have intimated to other users on here or is the SD20 stable for a while. With my history, I will probably buy it today then find out that the next model due at the end of the week has a 2.5" screen, Image stabilisation, 10xzoom, will be powered by air, generate 3D images and have DTS capable recording of over 3hours! :eek:
Cheers for any advice and keep up the good work, you have a great, freindly site here.

[Rex914]

Hi all, I have been enjoting this site for some time and "lurking" for a while too. Using the excellent reviews on this and a number of other sites, I bought an A95 after not liking the SD300. I love the A95 but have recently used a freinds SD20 and am blown away by the quality of the pics, size of unit etc. Before I sell my A95 & go for the SD20 (Ixus i5), I wonder if, with your help Mr Keller you may just advise me to "wait a while" ;) as you have intimated to other users on here or is the SD20 stable for a while. With my history, I will probably buy it today then find out that the next model due at the end of the week has a 2.5" screen, Image stabilisation, 10xzoom, will be powered by air, generate 3D images and have DTS capable recording of over 3hours! :eek:
Cheers for any advice and keep up the good work, you have a great, freindly site here.

You would actually want to give up a nice swivel LCD for a smaller, low resolution, static one?

You would give up manual controls and optical zoom?

Err, you are claiming that the SD20's image quality is actually better than the A95's? Is this a typo or are you serious? The only reason why you'd want an SD20 is for the sleekness and form factor and definitely NOT the feature set and image quality.

[pickles]

Woh...Easy Tiger! ;) I have probably helped sell more A95's to my family & freinds because of owning one than any amount of advertising could have done! I love the feature set, screen, AA battery type of the A95 & have got to this via an A60 (sold to mum inlaw), S500 (lent to & so far unreturned from father!), sd300 (Didn't like the blurry edges...I know, Iknow!!...now with a good freind), & flirted with a Sony W1 for a fortnight :o . I just found that when I borrowed the SD20, I actually took a whole lot more pics & took it with me everywhere without even thinking about it. It was less obtrusive than my Nokia 6230 & I probably took 4 times as many pics in the 2 weeks I had it than I would have with the A95. As a very casual snapper :D , I think it would probably suit me more than the A95 does...thats not to say I haven't thoroughly enjoyed the A95 as I have.

[kazaan]

Hi all, I have been enjoting this site for some time and "lurking" for a while too. Using the excellent reviews on this and a number of other sites, I bought an A95 after not liking the SD300. I love the A95 but have recently used a freinds SD20 and am blown away by the quality of the pics, size of unit etc. Before I sell my A95 & go for the SD20 (Ixus i5), I wonder if, with your help Mr Keller you may just advise me to "wait a while" ;) as you have intimated to other users on here or is the SD20 stable for a while. With my history, I will probably buy it today then find out that the next model due at the end of the week has a 2.5" screen, Image stabilisation, 10xzoom, will be powered by air, generate 3D images and have DTS capable recording of over 3hours! :eek:
Cheers for any advice and keep up the good work, you have a great, freindly site here.

I am quiet surprised as to why u didnt like SD300?

[ProblemSolver]

Any news on upcoming Canon cameras? I'm waiting for the new cameras (Esp the S600) and I'm sure others are too.

[Jeff Keller]

Any news on upcoming Canon cameras? I'm waiting for the new cameras (Esp the S600) and I'm sure others are too.

Sorry PS, my lips are sealed. Maybe if you wish hard enough, your dream camera will be announced in a few days... ;)

[Fredrik]

I think it will be announced on Thursday! (and hopefully a new Pro model too)

[Rex914]

Something is most likely to come out this Monday. *cough* Digital Rebel 2 *cough*

[Omnicolor]

Sorry PS, my lips are sealed. Maybe if you wish hard enough, your dream camera will be announced in a few days... ;)

Let me ask you Jeff, If I wish REALLY hard, du you think my wish for an 8MP Rebel will come true in the near future????

:)

[tensagas]

New announcements will likely be made at the Photo Marketing Association conference in Florida (February 20-23, 2005): http://pma2005.pmai.org/ . There were apparently few or no new announcements re Canon digital cameras at the Consumer Electronics Symposium in January 2005: http://www.tomshardware.com/business/20050110/ces_digital-06.html .

My wishlist for a new Canon dc: the successer to the Powershot SI IS.

Perhaps 4 or 5 mp? Fix AF assist? Less purple fringing? Better lens cover? Some macro features? Option for a polarizing filter?

Oh, we can dream ...

[ProblemSolver]

Sorry PS, my lips are sealed. Maybe if you wish hard enough, your dream camera will be announced in a few days... ;)

Thanks, Jeff. The words "few days" are making me really excited (Plus, I don't need to wonder no more) :D

[Rex914]

Let me ask you Jeff, If I wish REALLY hard, du you think my wish for an 8MP Rebel will come true in the near future????

:)


In the last issue of Chasseur d'Images and in one of the discussion boards of the magazine's website, you can read that the EOS-300D will be replaced - which is not a surprise - by a new body based on the 300X film camera, with a 8.2 MP sensor, up to 1600 ISO and no AF functionnality limitations. Chasseur d'Images doesn't tell any name for this new camera, but on one page, there is a screenshot of Apple's iPhoto 5. On the folder list, you can easily read "EOS-350D test shots." However, the 300D will stay in Canon's Catalog as the absolute entry-level DSLR, in black version, with a big price drop.

Looks like our predictions may be true.

[Omnicolor]

Nice, thank you. Too bad it's not 3200 ISO. Now I wonder if it will be in black. Oh well...

[Rex914]

I've heard some rumors that it will be in black, but from what I pick up, it's more likely going to stay in the silver form.

If it doesn't come out tomorrow, it'll probably come out Tuesday or Wednesday. Check the front where it says "new reviews" and it says that "hot stuff" is coming on those days.

[Omnicolor]

Well, then It better be good - and not too crippled -- or people (like me) will buy a black 300d and install the hack instead. And get a more advanced camera for much much less. Nevermind the 8mp.

[Lewiedude]

What hack??

[Rex914]

Doesn't look too crippled to me.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22656

[lsutiger05]

Damn, I thought that the successor to the Canon PowerShot S1 IS was going to be announced today! :(

[Alnath]

Hmmm the G6 has vanished from a couple of UK websites. No stock or G7 coming?

[twin]

More new stuff’s coming today? Or only in the next days?

:confused:

[Omnicolor]

Doesn't look too crippled to me.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22656


Nope, a lot better than expected. And small! I'm gonna buy it, that's for sure. :) :D :)

[Rex914]

More new stuff’s coming today? Or only in the next days?

:confused:

New stuff for other companies. Like Sony. Sony hasn't announced much at all yet. Canon's done with announcements (officially) unless they have another surprise.

[kazaan]

Canon's done with announcements (officially) unless they have another surprise.

Thats too bad...was hoping canon would upgrade A95 and the Powershot S1 IS.
Will wait and see...ony 4 more days :p

[Jeff Keller]

Thats too bad...was hoping canon would upgrade A95 and the Powershot S1 IS.
Will wait and see...ony 4 more days :p

Rex914 speaks the truth. Canon and Nikon are done... you can figure out who's left.

[pickles]

Pah! Was really hoping for an SD20 (Ixus i5) upgrade or a smaller A95 (A530?), cash waiting, holidays booked, printer ready and warmed up! May have to venture into sony or nikonterritory now...
Ho hum... :o

[Rex914]

The A95 is too new for a replacement. Remember that it was introduced a little over 6 months ago. You may actually be happier with an A95 now rather than an A530 based on initial impressions of early A510 adopters.

[ProblemSolver]

Firstly, I'd like to thank Jeff for giving "hints" (See earlier posts in this topic) that an Ixus 700 was coming. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting and here it is! The Ixus 700 looks great and has some excellent features. Although some things that I wanted aren't there, I'm still happy - except for the battery and card type change! Overall - the Ixus 700 not only looks great but is 100% great :)

[kazaan]

The A95 is too new for a replacement. Remember that it was introduced a little over 6 months ago. You may actually be happier with an A95 now rather than an A530 based on initial impressions of early A510 adopters.

Hey Rex,

Are you saying A510 is not as good as A75?????
I was planning to for it against sonyp200 becoz A510 is extremely well priced with a full manual controls set and was hoping it has same performance as A75.

Worried now :confused:

Kaz.

[EAP]

The A95 is too new for a replacement. Remember that it was introduced a little over 6 months ago. You may actually be happier with an A95 now rather than an A530 based on initial impressions of early A510 adopters.

I agree with Rex. Jeff has posted a photo gallery of the A510 and A520 at the bottom of the "News" section of this site. Go check it out. I pulled up the A520 photos and then went to "Reviews" and pulled up the A95 photos and compared them side by side; the A95 photos were much better in my opinion.

[kazaan]

Is A520 and A95 fair comparison since A95 is 5MP while A510 is 4MP. Is the difference in MP a big reason for difference in picture quality or is it more about the optics?

[Rex914]

Hey Rex,

Are you saying A510 is not as good as A75?????
I was planning to for it against sonyp200 becoz A510 is extremely well priced with a full manual controls set and was hoping it has same performance as A75.

Worried now :confused:

Kaz.

I need to actually try out an A510 in the store, but it's shutter lag leaves something to be desired from initial reports. Personally, I already thought the A75's shutter lag was a little on the long side to begin with.

Other than that, it's a superior camera, but that's a possibly deal breaker for some people. I don't think the new 4x lens will cause any real change in actual image quality.

[gary_hendricks]

What new Canon stuff?

[Lewiedude]

Gary,

Love the web-site...keep on truckin'!

Check out the archive news link below and check out this past Thursday...

Canon announced the SD400 and SD500 as well as the Digital Rebel XT.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/archive.asp

Have fun!

And, I am still not able to make a decision on my first P&S digital camera. Any real insight would help. You can PM me. This is from a thread I started at another forum for Canon digital cameras..."I find it hard to accept the premium charged for Canon P&S cameras and am not interested in acquiriing storage media that is proprietary to one single camera manufacturer (memory stick). So again, I only tried to ask if there really was no replacement for the A95. And I drew a connection to my thought process of the LZ2 being comparable. As I have also stated, I am obsessed with jumping into the digital domain of photography. But, will keep my real money on a hi-res scanner and continue to shoot medium format transparancies (Mamiya 7II). Along this line, perhaps the A520 is the camera for me and I am trying too hard to accept the current offerings."

LewieDude.

[gary_hendricks]

Woh...Easy Tiger! ;) I have probably helped sell more A95's to my family & freinds because of owning one than any amount of advertising could have done! I love the feature set, screen, AA battery type of the A95 & have got to this via an A60 (sold to mum inlaw), S500 (lent to & so far unreturned from father!), sd300 (Didn't like the blurry edges...I know, Iknow!!...now with a good freind), & flirted with a Sony W1 for a fortnight :o . I just found that when I borrowed the SD20, I actually took a whole lot more pics & took it with me everywhere without even thinking about it. It was less obtrusive than my Nokia 6230 & I probably took 4 times as many pics in the 2 weeks I had it than I would have with the A95. As a very casual snapper :D , I think it would probably suit me more than the A95 does...thats not to say I haven't thoroughly enjoyed the A95 as I have.

Agreed. The A95 is one of the best (and cheapest) point and shoot cameras with manual controls.

[keymaker]

Jeff,

I must admit to being a bit disappointed with no indication of a Pro1 or S1-IS update. I really like the Pro-1 (I am currently a G3 user and really like the camera but a longer zoom range and wideangle would be nice) but since it is quite similar to the G3 I feel like I cannot justify the "upgrade" price until the next generation of the Pro-1. Specificially, I would like the Digic II in the Pro-1. It's my understanding this would upgrade the movie mode, increase battery life and possibly help shot-to-shot performance. This and a bit cleaner performance at ISO 200-400 (maybe even mechanical zoom) would make the Pro-1 a winner for me. If improving the Pro-1 is this simple, any hint on when we might expect the successor?

[Rex914]

A handful of cameras in that 8 megapixel category are seeing some delays in getting replaced including the F828, Pro1, A2, 8080 etc. These were all introduced over a year ago or even more in the case of the Sony. Here are 4 possible scenarios going on.

1) The companies don't see much point in pursuing this area much more since Digital SLR's are dipping very deeply into this $700-$1000 range. Even the original Rebel can be found for $700 or less easily now. Granted that DSLR's are more troublesome, you get much better image quality and features.

2) The 8 MP idea was a failure. Just look at all the noise and you'll see what I mean. Sony is allegedly working on some new sensors and if so, the companies are waiting on that to get released before releasing their new flagsnip P&S cameras.

3) They are coming soon. They just weren't ready for announcement at PMA.

Just keep your fingers crossed. Something will be coming soon whether it's what we expected or not. I have this hunch that Sony will be debuting a new camera and then letting its new sensor out for the others to work with like last time.

[ProblemSolver]

Just keep your fingers crossed. Something will be coming soon whether it's what we expected or not. I have this hunch that Sony will be debuting a new camera and then letting its new sensor out for the others to work with like last time.

I heard something about Sony going to put CMOS sensors to on ALL :eek: its cameras to replace CCDs. Supposedly for better image quality but I'm not sure about that.

[Rex914]

I heard something about Sony going to put CMOS sensors to on ALL :eek: its cameras to replace CCDs. Supposedly for better image quality but I'm not sure about that.

These would be the "good" kind of CMOS, not the junk camera phone ones. They *should* be less noisy on the whole, but a bigger incentive is that they are easier to manufacture and sap less power from the batteries.

[ProblemSolver]

But I heard that CMOS sensors are slightly on the expensive side. If Sony is going to create cameras with CMOS sensors, they mind as well give consumers the option of CCD or CMOS sensors.

[Rex914]

But I heard that CMOS sensors are slightly on the expensive side. If Sony is going to create cameras with CMOS sensors, they mind as well give consumers the option of CCD or CMOS sensors.

The one's used in DSLR's are expensive, but Sony is making consumer level ones that are cheaper and smaller. Otherwise, they wouldn't have spent 60 billion yen building a plant just to make these things.

[keymaker]

A handful of cameras in that 8 megapixel category are seeing some delays in getting replaced including the F828, Pro1, A2, 8080 etc. These were all introduced over a year ago or even more in the case of the Sony. Here are 4 possible scenarios going on.

1) The companies don't see much point in pursuing this area much more since Digital SLR's are dipping very deeply into this $700-$1000 range. Even the original Rebel can be found for $700 or less easily now. Granted that DSLR's are more troublesome, you get much better image quality and features.

2) The 8 MP idea was a failure. Just look at all the noise and you'll see what I mean. Sony is allegedly working on some new sensors and if so, the companies are waiting on that to get released before releasing their new flagsnip P&S cameras.

3) They are coming soon. They just weren't ready for announcement at PMA.

Just keep your fingers crossed. Something will be coming soon whether it's what we expected or not. I have this hunch that Sony will be debuting a new camera and then letting its new sensor out for the others to work with like last time.

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks for the response. Point #1 makes sense and point #2 is certainly valid but why not make a 6mp version of the Pro-1 (helps with noise, no?), Digic II, mechanical zoom? Seems like you could do it and price it at $600-$700 (similar to A200). Maybe that would kill the G6? Maybe there's not a big enough market for that? Or maybe that's the logical move for the next S1-IS? As for me, I really like my G3, but the Pro-1's better build quality, zoom ring, longer zoom range, better movies, wide angle and filter adapter option really appeal to me (not to mention more MP).