unfortunately, even the Canon L series lenses do not have sufficient resolution to match this sensor, the situation will only be worse when Canon bring out a 22mp version
12.8mpixel, full frame, 3fps for 17 RAW, 9pt AF, no AF assist, 3.5% spot meter, X-sync 1/200th; 2.5” 230,000pixel LCD; RGB histogram; no flash but E-TTLII;
895g w batt; 12bit RAW; RAW+ separate jpeg; optional wireless; $US3299;
Canon 1Ds Mark III (late 2007)
156 pixels per mm may need new range of lenses to cope with the increased resolution.
25mp pro camera; much more expensive than the 1DsMIII.
Sony a900 (late 2008):
25mp pro camera with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
Canon 5DMII (late 2008):
21mp entry level full frame with HD video (but no AF during video)
Sony a850 (late 2009):
25mp entry level full frame with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
weathersealing; 9pt AF with dual cross centre point and 10 assist sensors; 98% viewfinder view;
ISO 100-6400; 30sec-1/8000th sec; 1/250th flash sync; 3fps burst; AV or HDMI video out; 850g body;
$US2000 body only - ~25% cheaper than the a900 and you really give up only on these - 3 fps not 5 fps, the viewfinder shows 98% coverage rather than 100%, there is a very slight difference to the body's metal finish, and the remote control cable is now an optional extra.
as above but 22 RAW burst, 2.5“LCD, dual CF, SD slots allow separate RAW, jpeg recording;
shutter should do 200,000 cycles; optional wireless; $US3999 list;
Canon 1D Mark III (mid-2007):
1.3x crop sensor; 10mp; 10fps x 110 jpegs or 30 RAW; up to 6400ISO; 19 cross pt AF with 26 assist pts; 14bit; 3” LCD with live preview; sensor cleaner; 63 zone metering; 300,000 cycle shutter;
10fps only achievable at shutter speeds 1/500th sec or shorter.
buffer holds 48-54 jpegs (but only ~14 if NR on), and if fast CF card burst can reach 110 jpegs but much less if NR on.
live preview mode has no AF but reduces shutter noise in burst mode by about 60-70% to my ears.
10Mb RAW files; sRAW files for shooting with jpegs have 1/4 the resolution.
optional wireless allows shooting or live preview directly to FTP or HTTP server or can shoot directly to an external USB drive from it
optional 3rd party GPS USB dongle to record GPS data.
one of the best for photojournalism & sports photography;
cons:
no inbuilt intervalometer;
no on-demand grids - must buy focussing screen;
said to be louder than the 1D Mark IIN.
AWB not as accurate as FujiS5Pro for artificial lighting;
battery charger very large;
annoying sensor cleaning animation;
some top LCD's are too dim;
issues with SDHC speed - seems best to use 2Gb Extreme III SD cards rather than the 4Gb ones.
inability to use the AF-ON button to access a home AF point
inability to use the multi-controller for direct (other than registered) AF access