Canon 5Ds press release makes no mention of video – has it been dropped from flagship DSLR?

Canon Watch and Canon Rumors have posted the London press release for the 50 megapixel Canon 5Ds.

It omits any mention of video. Has it been quietly dropped now Canon have the Cinema EOS range?

Here’s the press release, and below that my opinion…

Canon revolutionises resolution with the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R
London, UK, 6 February 2015 – Canon today transforms the EOS system with the arrival of the EOS 5DS and the EOS 5DS R – a new breed of ultra-high resolution full-frame DSLRs.

Breaking the boundaries of 35mm sensors,the new cameras offer the highest megapixels ever seen in a full frame sensor, an astonishing 50.6MP. Delivering unparalleled quality, the cameras provide an exceptional combination of resolution, responsiveness and durability, whether shooting landscapes, architecture, high fashion or portraiture, either personally or professionally. When nothing but the sharpest image is expected, the EOS 5DS R also features a low pass cancellation filter to maximise the sensor’s resolution and visible image quality.Alongside the new DSLRs, Canon also introduces the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM, the world’s widest-angle rectilinear zoom lens(1), the perfect companion for landscape and architecture photographers.

Establishing new standards for full-frame DSLRs
Setting a new benchmark for full-frame cameras, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R combine fast, instinctive DSLR handling with the newly-developed 50.6MP CMOS sensor, providing the flexibility to shoot a wide range of scenes and subjects, making it ideal for large format mediums, such as advertising billboards and magazine covers, where every pixel matters. The sensor’s advanced architecture provides

ISO 100-6400 sensitivity, further expandable to 50-12800, ensuring high quality images with low noise, accurate colours and wide dynamic range. For added flexibility, the cameras’ resolution enables three new in-camera crop shooting modes–1.3x, 1.6x and 1:1. Visible through the viewfinder, the crop modes deliver outstanding results, with stills at 19 MP even when cropped to 1.6x. Built to withstand the most demanding shoots, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R’s dual DIGIC 6 processors provide the rapid performance and responsiveness required to deliver first-class images with exceptional colour reproduction. Both processors are designed to comfortably manage huge levels of image data from the 50.6MP sensor, whilst simultaneously reducing image noise and providing the freedom to shoot at five frames per second.

Automatically exceptional
Created to ensure every detail of your exquisite landscape or high-fashion studio shoot is in focus, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS Rfeature an advanced 61-point AF system, with 41 cross-type points, delivering incredible levels of image sharpness and accuracy across the frame. Both cameras comfortably maintain focus with moving subjects, using EOS Intelligent Tracking and Recognition AF (iTR) to track both faces and colour. To reduce image blur, Canon’s Mirror Vibration Control System uses cams to drive the cameras’ mirror up and down in a highly controlled fashion, avoiding all sudden stops and softening the shutter-release sound. Additionally, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R’s 150k pixel RGB+IR metering sensor with Flicker Detection ensures images can be captured with consistent and accurate exposures under varying lighting scenarios, including florescent.

Incredible detail and unrestricted creativity
Putting unrivalled image quality at your fingertips, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R include a number of customisable modes and settings to ensure stunning results every time. A new Fine Detail Picture Style maximises the level of detail that can be achieved from the sensor, enabling advanced sharpness adjustment without the need for edit ing software. Popular creative modes, including Multiple Exposure and HDR, provide instant, in-camera creativity, while a built-in timer allows you to shoot over long periods and create stunning time lapse videos, without being tied to the camera or needing advanced software and excessive kit.

First-class professional construction, customisable features
The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R have been expertly constructed to allow you to operate quickly, regardless of the environment you’re shooting in. The 100% viewfinder with electronic overlay makes framing vital shots easy and can be customised to your preferred style. The large, 8.11cm (3.2”) Clear View II LCD screen, with an anti-reflective structure, minimises reflection or glare when reviewing shots and also acts as a visual and accessible dashboard of the most commonly used settings. The cameras’ new Custom Quick Control screen means that the type, size and position of icons are also easily customisable to the user or shooting scenario. Both cameras utilise Canon’s iconic design DNA–a highly durable body constructed from high-grade magnesium alloy to provide weather resilient shooting – ideal for landscape photographers who are dedicated to getting the perfect shot, whatever the weather.

EOS 5DS R: Engineered for the ultimate in DSLR image quality
When nothing but the absolute maximum level of detail possible will do, the EOS 5DS R features a low pass cancellation filter to ensure the sharpest possible results. Great for landscape photographers, where patterns are very often organic, the camera’s low pass cancellation filter produces the stunning level of detail required to turn agreat shot into an incredible shot.

Optical Expertise: Introducing the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R are compatible with Canon’s extensive EF lens range, spanning 71 models(2). Today Canon unveils the world’s widest-angle retilinearzoom lens (1), the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM. Perfect for photographers shooting landscape and architecture, the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM is designed to open up an entirely new world of creative opportunities, thanks to its super wide 11-24mm focal range. Boasting a newly designed optical structure, the lens features three aspherical lenses including a ground aspherical element, which maximises image quality and delivers minimal levels of distortion, while the body is rugged and robust enough to be employed in extreme weather conditions.

EOS 5DS Key features:

• 50.6 MP CMOS sensor with dual DIGIC 6 processors
• 150K Pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor
• Up to 5.0 Frames Per Second
• 61-point AF
• Cropped Shooting

EOS 5DS-R also features:

• Low-pass cancellation filter

EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Key features:

• Explore landscapes from an ultra-wide point of view
• The world’s widest-angle rectilinear zoom lens
• Minimal distortion – ideal for architecture and interiors
• Advanced lens coatings guard against ghosting and flare
• Enjoy swift, near-silent AF, with full-time manual override
• Keep shooting even in tough weather conditions

EOSHD opinion

Only a Canon press release could word the lack of low-pass filter as an “addition of a cancellation filter” and then not mention video at all! Warped!

The lack of emphasis on video is unusual in a 2015 DSLR press release. Indeed with the Nikon D750 the focus between stills and video was split almost evenly at 50:50.

I think there is concern at some companies, notably Fujifilm and Canon, that a split focus on video is distracting for stills customers who make up the majority of their sales.

Indeed Nikon left video off the Df altogether to position it as a camera for ‘purist’ photographers, who believe electronic bells and whistles make for worse cameras (they don’t).

What is clear from the Canon press release is that video is not going to be a key feature of the 5Ds and we must wait to see what the 5D Mark IV gives us. It will be a lengthy wait though – it isn’t expected to come until after Summer, more than 3 years since the lukewarm 5D Mark III let us all down for video specs.

In total Canon users have had 5 years of temptation to switch to other cameras for video. The 5D and 7D lines have gone from being leading candidates for filmmakers to also-rans and that can’t have helped sales.

But video missing from the new 5D flagship altogether? Personally I don’t think that’s the case.

The rear of the camera clearly shows a red movie icon on the live-view switch.

Let’s wait and see tomorrow on the 6th February to see how accurate the leaked specs are and what the camera holds for video users.