Canon And APS-H

The newly announced Canon EOS 1D-X supposedly marks the end of Canon's APS-H sensor, since this camera explicitly takes the place of the EOS-1D and current 1Ds. I'm hoping that is not the case.

In the world of enthusiast-oriented cameras, the 7D was a big hit. But currently, Canon has been shown up vis-a-vis sensors with the Nikon D7000 and Pentax K5, and Sony has taken the megapixel crown in hilariously overdone fashion with the 24MP A77 and NEX-7. What's left for Canon to generate some thunder?

I think that it can come in the form of an APS-H sensor for the 7D's replacement. First, it would take better advantage of their full-frame lenses, seeing as Canon is showing no interest in expanding their lineup of APS-C lenses. Second, it would generate an enormous amount of enthusiasm in the pro-sumer market. Third, it would soundly defeat the Sony-sensored competition as regards noise levels. Without the upgrade to a larger sensor, I just can't imagine Canon conjuring up a sensor that would do better than Sony's sensors, which are simply amazing.

I hope that Canon does this. Sony is the only company that has me actually excited. Yes, the working photogs are likely still on Canon or Nikon, but what happens when Sony finally generates a camera that can keep up with them? The fact that the new 1D-X generated little in the way of buzz evinces a problem with the old guard: people use them because they have to, not because their products are actually enticing.

Compare this to the wild excitement that the A77 and NEX-7 generated. Sony has traditionally done very poorly in higher-end cameras, but this could be the beginning of their renaissance. Canon needs to respond.