canon has announced the canon 5D digital SLR. a full-frame 12.8MP digital SLR that shoots at 3fps in roughly the same form factor as the 20D. this camera is wedged between the 20D prosumer body and the 1D pro bodies. it looks like a great movie for pros who don’t want to lug around their big 1D bodies with them.

canon has also announced a 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. this lens is a smaller, lighter version of the 24-70mm f/2.8L with a little more length and IS. i’m not sure how much IS will help in this range, but canon seems to be putting IS on everything these days. i was just thinking that if i got this lens, i will complete my all f/4L lens collection, but seeing how i have the 24-70 already, it’s unlikely that i’ll step down to this lens. still, it looks tempting.

the last item of interest to me is canon’s update to the 420EX, the speedlite 430EX flash. it looks like this flash has a much better information panel and controls that the 420EX doesn’t have. it also has a wide angle diffusion panel. to me this feels like the a baby version of the 580EX.

it seems like canon is listening to their users and they’ve created a smaller version of the 1D series of cameras and accessories so that if someone wants to go small, they don’t have to compromise too much.

the 5D looks like an extremely attractive body, but retailing at $3299, it’s far from practical for me. i’ll stay with my 20D, thank you very much. i am curious, though to see the next version of the 5D. i think that may be the camera for me.