Specs leak on Canon 50D, 5D Mark II before Photokina

A forum member on a popular photography website recently posted what he believes are the preliminary specs for Canon's upcoming 5D Mark II and an all-new 50D digital SLRs. While the information cannot be treated as official or confirmed, it suggests the new 50D will sport a 12.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and Single Digic III Processor. The smaller sensor will allow the 50D to use lenses with the EFS mount in addition to Canon's EF-mount. Rounding off the rumored features as they pertain to the 50D only is an ISO range of 100-3200, with a High setting of 6400, as well as a viewfinder that provides 100 percent coverage and 0.95 magnification.

The 5D Mark II replacement will up the full frame sensor's megapixel count from the current 5D's 12.8 to 16.7, and share the same Single Digic III processor of the 50D. As with the original, only EF-mount lenses will attach to the Mark II. The ISO settings range from 100-3200, with a Low setting of 50 and a High of 6400, matching earlier beliefs that the DSLR will be Canon's most light-sensitive to date. Its viewfinder offers 96 percent coverage along with 0.72 magnification.

Both DSLRs are rumored to share a new, 3-inch OLED LCD display, which would mark the first application of the OLED technology on a camera. They are also said to be capable of shooting at 6fps out of the box or 8fps if a grip is attached, and share an 11-point autofocus sensor with 35-zone metering. The same Live View function that allows users to see what the camera sees and change image settings via a connected PC or laptop originally unveiled on the 1D Mark III and more recently, the entry level XSi, will find its way into both DSLRs.

Canon continues to upgrade its lithium ion batteries, effectively making the current ones and their chargers obsolete for the newer equipment. Canon's new DSLRs are expected to be bundled with a 24-70mm f/2.8L IS and / or 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 IS lenses, though no other pricing or release information has been announced or guessed at, though near the end of September, around Photokina show time, is likely.