Interesting focus of the latest UK Canon professionals magazine - the 5D and 1DmkIIN.
What surprised me is the inclusion of the 5D.

The pro reviews were about what I expected. They want the 5D to have better weather sealing, higher FPS rate, faster AF tracking, and dual card slots.
So that's a vote for the 1DSmkII then :)

Interesting points of view from a wildlife photographer who doesn't want full frame but instead the crop factor on his telephoto lenses, and a new photograper who wants the true wide angle that full frame gives on his shots.

Canon's view is that "wildlife photographers will love the resolution" and the tester in the arctic wanted 5D resolution but in the 1D 1.3x crop factor. But would use the 5D for landscapes, which agrees with Canon's summary.
Canon also see the 5D as the first step into DSLR for the film hold-outs.
They claim it's "the camera that many photojournalists and agencies have been asking us for." so it will be interesting on my travels to race meetings to see how many are in use.

Some interesting points there PAul. It almost sounds like the interviewed me to get these opinions. :) I'm not a pro, and have never used any of these bodies, but from what I have read, I have come to these same conclutions. The resolution of the 5D would be nice, and true wide angle shots would be great. On the other hand, the 5D just doesn't sound like it's build to handle the harsh conditions like the pro bodies do. It also sounds like it's a little slow for a "pro" body.

As a wildlife and nature shooter, I like the crop factor for my DRebel, and would hate to give that up in certain situations. I like that it gives my 500mm lens the same angle of view as an 800mm lens, of a fraction of the cost.

Another pro opinion from a wildlife photographer.

"The proof of the quality of the 5D images is that agencies like Getty have now accepted 5D files from their photographers, the first time a non 1D camera has been officially accepted. I have also had several 5D files published in various magazines and newspapers, all look cracking and so I can say that the 5D image quality is equal to any of the higher priced 1Ds cameras that I own."

Having used the 1DmkIIN and the 1DSmkII, I wonder if there is a 1DSmkIIN in the offing?
Add to the 1DS the larger screen of the 1DmkIIN, the new software with Picture Style, the little touches like your own file prefix not the Canon random prefix. Perhaps use the mkIIN sensor design to increase resolution still further on the 1DS ?

I'm surprised they would include the 5D in the same category as the 1D MkIIn. I was always under the impression that the camera was being marketed towards the same segment that would want the 1Ds series of cameras. Right now, it seems like that camera would make a good backup body or primary body for those that don't want to pay for a 1Ds MKII.

I was surpsised they put them in the same issue.
From reading the various marketing spiel in the magazine, they're aiming the 5D as a backup for pros, as a lightweight camera for PJs, and as a digital entry camera for the last of the film hold-outs.
So they agree with you :)

Hmm...that's an interesting market that Canon is trying to place it in, especially since they've marketed the 20D as the lightweight camera for PJs and a backup body for the pros. It was my understanding that the 20D, with its higher frame rate, was more suited to those tasks.

Of course, this could be a sign of things to come. I've heard some rumors that Canon intends to move most of their product line up to full-frame sensors.