For months the internet has been flooded with rumours of what Canon will introduce for PMA 2007. Top of everyones wishlist seemed to be an upgrade to the Canon EOS 5D, or the replacement of the EOS30D, generally assumed to be a 40D. The Canon Hong Kong website even briefly showed a page for a 40D, but with no actual information about it, just the name.

On February 21st, Canon issued a press release that brought some suprises. No announcements about a 5D or 30D replacement were included. What they did announce however, was the EOS 1D Mark III, a 10.1 megapixel DSLR that will replace the EOS 1D MarkII N. Sporting dual “Digic III” processors and capable of 10 frames per second in a burst of 30 RAW or 110 large JPEG, the EOS 1D Mark III is the worlds fastest DSLR and is expected to be available in spring 2007.

New features in the EOS 1D Mark III include a 3″ live view LCD (previously unavailable on any DSLR), Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, a shutter upgrade of 50% to 300 000 actuations, the ability to shoot at ISO up to 3200, with 6400 available as a custom function and a new auto focus system with 19 high precision cross-type sensors (up from 7) included in a total of 45 AF points.

To go along with the new EOS 1D Mark III, a new lens, the EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM. Internally focusing, the lens features new coatings to reduce flare and is sealed for mositure and dust resistance.

An upgraded flash was also announced, the Speedlight 580EX II. Like the new lens, the speedlight is sealed against moisture and dust, and comes new features including a metal hot shoe, external meter for non-TTL flash exposure control and a PC socket.

Finally, two other accesories for the EOS 1D Mark III were introduced. The Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 allowing fast wireless transmission and the Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 for image verification and encryption security.

In digicam news, Canon announced 8 new models – Powershot TX1, Digital ELPH SD1000 and SD750, and Powershot A450, A460, A550, A560 and A570IS.