First, it seems clear now that despite some unfounded expectations, the Canon EOS 5D MkIII (more and more described as Canon 5D3) is not ready to launch (we are told “6 months after the Canon EOS 1Ds MkIV” – often described as Canon 1Ds4 but absolutely not announced by Canon yet). This would push the announcement of the 5D MkIII nothing less than a full 3 years after the official launch of the 5D MkII, around the end of 2011. This is long, much longer than the usual practices of Canon, but the market does not really seems in a hurry while the current success of the 5D MkII does not stop.

More interestingly, nobody seems expecting any notable evolution in the digital sensor resolution (most probably, it will stay around the current 21 MP). And, admittedly, after 18-20 MP, most lenses are “out of wind”. The technical expectations of such small-pixel sensors are very high. Canon recognizes this and started a very broad transformation of its lens offering (from the mid-range up to the pro L series).

However, it seems that Canon is working hard to free itself of the constraints (and fees) forced upon them by the presence of Sony and Panasonic patents for the AVCHD/H.246 video encoding technology. In order to avoid paying at the patent gate, Canon would be developing its own Codec technology (based upon the MPEG-2 architecture). We must wait until we know if this could somewhat cripple the image quality, but this is certainly at the core of all activities of the Canon development team.

Some have drawn the partial conclusion that the Canon EOS 5D MkIII would be first to receive this Codec, but this rumor is probably not based on solid ground. On the contrary, the launch of this Codec would happen as soon as possible (possibly on the 1Ds MkIV) and the 5D MkIII would receive it only later.

All in all, the Canon EOS 5D MkIII would be, as usual with Canon new products, an evolution and not a revolution from the point of view of hardware specs (nearly identical sensor, dual Flash card, external flash control). However, with the inclusion of many new functional features, and the availability of a much-improved light sensitivity and special user modes for HDR, high sensitivity, panoramic shooting, image capture without stopping the video capture, etc. Canon would be holding out a Digital SLR camera specially attractive to the photographers with the highest expectations.

One large dark area that seems not to receive any new light in the recent days is the impact of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, in Japan. For such a faraway launch, it is near certain that the industrial issues will be relatively easy to solve but the Research and Development activities are quite probably shaken by the current situation even if Canon employees seem to have been relatively protected from most of the problems up to now.

• Nikon has been telling the world that they intended to have a great year 2010. It seems that they will bring a new DSLR (it could be the Nikon D700x, Nikon D700s, or Nikon D800 according to the rumor mill). It would be confirmed according to the banner visible on LetsGoDigital. But this is apparently a fake built from press material from the older Nikon D3 (via NR).
• Yesterday’s press conference did not bring a single SLR though (Coolpix S8000, Coolpix S6000, Coolpix S4000, Coolpix S3000, Coolpix P100, Coolpix L110, Coolpix L22, Coolpix L21, nothing less!)
• Plenty of people expect to see the Canon EOS 60D arriving now, but it’s still uncertain. NL/DPR predicts a set of features: CMOS 18MPs, 6.3fps, HD 24 and 36fps, Digic IV.
• According to CR, Canon is preparing a new Rebel/EOS camera whose name should be Rebel T2i (the European name could be 550D or EOS 600D), with video, fixed LCD of improved resolution.
• At last, Canon would present the very pro Canon EOS 1Ds Mk IV
• Samsung should extend its new NX line, possibly with some lenses (waiting a little more for a new NX camera body).
• Olympus and Fuji should bring only P&S cameras.
• The Sony rumour line is totally silent, which could be indicator that either they are efficient at keeping a lid on the new Alpha 750 or there is nothing in preparation.

So, let’s wait a little more.