Canon WILL be releasing at least three new products (in stores) on September 4th. The replacment for the SD500 is the SD550, all I know is the name, the price (499.99) and the date. But this news does imply a few more new models. Also the new Optura 600 and S1 are due out in September in case you haven't read Canon's site lately.

So nothing along HDV camcorders?
Big mistake in my opinion- each day that goes by they lose market share in the most promising video format to be adopted since DV- sad.
I really wish they'd jump on the bandwagon and produce a few HDV cams.

Well, this thread started with words that Aug 22nd would bring us some more news. Don't know what it will be, but I'm going to guess a consumer-level HDV camera that folks looking to upgrade from cameras like the DVX100a and XL2 level will skip.

I'll stick to my guns (see this post from May 27th) and predict that Canon will wait until closer to the release of Panasonic's upcoming HVX200 and then head 'em off at the pass with a WunderKam announcement that will compete head-to-head with the Panny.

Mmmm, das WunderKam... raarraarrgh

I agree with Pete. Frankly, I'm surprised at the Canon crowd who doubt their tactics. I'm expecting Canon to do for HDV what they did for DV with the XL1.

Jay

An overpriced camera that wasn't upgraded for 3 years? I hope they can do better this time around. Canon's only real advantage -- interchangeable lenses -- has been done and at a price point only about a grand more than the XL2. I've suggested ways that they can distinguish their "XL3." Despite protests that I'm dreaming, I don't think so. At least on paper, Panasonic and JVC have set the bar pretty high. Canon has got their work cut out for them.

I guess it is a matter of opinion whether the XL1 was overpriced. I never owned one so can't say, but the popularity of the XL line says something about peoples' opinions...and I certainly do feel the price of my XL2 was fair for what I believe to be the best-of-breed among miniDV camcorders.

I'll agree that if the real cameras match the claims in the Panasonic and JVC pre-production brochures and white papers, the bar is set high. But as is often mentioned, Canon likes to see where others left the bar before jumping over it. We'll see if they clear the bar again -- but if they stumble, I have my eye on the Panasonic. ;-)

Fairly priced now at $4,000 but not at the original price of $5,000. Even Canon admits that with a 20% cut in less than a year.

That's one interpretation.

Mine is that Canon is responding -- as any company must -- to market pressure. If the competition WASN'T releasing HDV cameras that are all the rage, I think we'd have seen much less price decline in the XL2.

Along those lines, my XL2's hallowed place is threatened only by HD cameras. Were affordable HD not knocking at the door, I'd be shooting with my XL2 for a long time to come. In fact, I'm not even so sure anymore that I'll sell the XL2 when I get an HD camera.

The jury is still out on the JVC as it is gradually being released across different markets (at least I've read it is arriving in some non-North American markets?), and there's nothing to say that Panasonic is any closer to product release than Canon. I've really liked my Canon cameras, so am rather hopeful that they will release a product that entices me stick with them. But only time will tell if Canon -- or Panasonic or JVC -- really deliver all that is promised by the companies or hoped for by us consumers. Whoever delivers that best combination of camera and price will win our wallets. I'm not ready to nay-say any of them yet.

Nice, Pete. I like that, well said! =)

tomorrow will be the big news!!! let's all cross our fingers.

In Japan, it is tomorrow already!
Lets see some action!

My bottom line is this: Until there is a reasonably priced means of delivery to my clients, HDV is moot.

Jay

NOT neccessarily. have you seen HDV resolution material downconvert to 480p? it still looks spectacular.

DPreview has the stuff
 

DPReview.com has the Canon announcements on the (expected) new DSLRS and a bunch of other digitals.

http://dpreview.com

EOS 5D, full frame 12.8 mp.

EOS-1D Mark IIN