If you’ve been watching for pre-NAB announcements and rumors as closely as we have, you’ve surely seen some of the big news. A couple of the biggest morsels being Sony’s NEX-FS700U, which can shoot up to 960 frames per second, and some rather cryptic invitations being sent out from Canon which contain nearly no details on what they might be talking about. Rumors are swirling about the possibilities.

Canon has been getting a lot of press recently for their C300 and EOS 5D Mark III, but many were expecting more from the new 5D in the way of video. Some are speculating that Canon is planning on announcing a 4k cinema camera to compete with Red. That idea surely makes sense. Considering Red’s hold on the digital cinema market, it stands to reason that Canon would want to get a piece of that pie. To make things even more interesting, the C300 is priced at $16,000, while the 5D Mark III is at $3500. A digital cinema camera priced right in between would be a strong competitor to the Red Scarlet, which is currently priced at $11,700.

Of course, the biggest piece of evidence we have is Canon’s own press release from November 4th, 2011. The release announces plans to release a so far unnamed EOS-series DSLR which will feature a 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor capable of recording 4k video at 24 frames per second. Canon goes on to say that the scheduled launch date is undecided. Based on the image provided by Canon, it certainly doesn’t look like they’re referring to the EOS-1D X, leaving the implication that this may be the beginning of a new EOS model.

Videomaker will be attending both major Canon press events at NAB 2012, so you can be sure as soon as we do what exactly they’re planning on telling us.

Canon announced the latest in their EOS line – the 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera. Set to be a choice between the 5D Mark II and the pro 1D-X camera, the new 5D Mark III will have a 22.3 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 6fps continuous recording speed, a high performance DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor and a 61-point high-density Reticular Autofocus system.

The needs of videographers was high on Canon‘s list when setting up features for the Mark III which will have longer recording times, a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring and better noise reduction. With the pro shooter in mind, features like SMPTE timecode, Rec Run and Free Run (meaning you can synchronize cameras to start at zero and run continuous, or have them record actual time, which is great for multicam shooting and when recording audio on separate devices.) Features improved from the 5D Mark II include a reduction in moiré and color artifacts found on shots with horizontal lines and improvement in the HD quality. Also improving on the Mark II will allow users up to 29-minute continuous recording time.

DSLR shooters of longer segments, like weddings and events will love the automatic file splitting and extended memory capacity using dual card slots. Need to adjust the audio while shooting? No problem… the EOS 5D Mark III will have a 64-point manual audio level that you can adjust while recording.

The DIGIC 5+ imaging processor in the Mark II is reportedly 17 times faster that the DIGIC 4 in the Mark II and other improvements include 6fps continuous shooting, HDR and multiple exposure modes, in-camera RAW processing, Scene Intelligent Auto mode and support for high-speed UDMA 7 Compact Flash memory cards.

A bonus for still shooters is the high-performance 61-point high density reticular auto focusing feature, illustrated below.

The 61 points are manually selectable and are sensitive to horizontal contrast with maximum apertures larger than f/5.6. The 5 central points offer ultra-high precision diagonal cross points for apertures larger than f/2.8. Other key features to the high density reticular AF include an expanded coverage area, focusing precision and low light sensitivity.

[Read more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark III announcement ]

We gave the Canon EOS 5D Mark II our “Videomaker Best of the Year” award for 2009 for DSLRs that shoot video – we can’t wait to see the 5D Mark III.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will begin to ship at the end of March and the body-only setup will retail at $3500.00 MSRP.

While we legally can’t tell you some surprises yet, we can spill to you what we’re excited to hear about at the International CES 2012. 4K and 3D are two great examples. 3D for what innovations show up this year since the general public has had substantial time to test out the video medium.

Then there’s the big buzz about 4K, which company will be first to really capture the general consumer, seems like the real catch here. One of the two sides of this technology is the camera, and because Canon’s announcement about such technology came more than two months prior to the International CES 2012 – the competition is on. The other part of 4K is the display, and manufacturers are hard at work improving these super-high resolution screens, our question is how low will we see a price drop and ultimately – will consumers adopt it?

Notable innovations in technology that we already have on our radar include flexible displays and alternative computer controls. While the projected time frame on these is beyond consumers of 2012, the International CES 2012 is a prime place for advancements to show up.

Take a glance at the Consumer Electronics Association coverage of CES 2011 and you’ll notice, there’s a lot of people there. Our team is certain to make contact with some of the biggest names in video production, as well as learn something new about each other. For some of us it’ll be a brand new experience and hopefully we’ll carry some of you (our audience) and your excitement with us. We’ll be determining some awards for this specific event, so products that steal the spotlight may be recognized by us. Look to this blog for updates and our hints at the biggest news for video producers.

As much as the city would love to make such exclusive information stay in Las Vegas forever, but our trip won’t mean much to you unless we bring some stories back.

As we’ve all noticed lately, the lines between the gear used in still and video shooting are becoming blurred, some still shooters are embracing video for the first time using DSLRs, and videographers are clicking away creating still images using that same camera they purchased for videography.

Now Canon, the makers of the first HDSLR that was embraced by many shooters on both side of the chasm, is sponsoring a still photo contest that video creators might find interesting. The winner of the contest gets to work with Academy Award winning director, Ron Howard, on a movie short inspired by that still image.

Canon just announced  the “Long Live Imagination” campaign with Ron Howard. People submit photos to www.youtube.com/imagination and winners will be selected to inspire a Hollywood short film directed by Ron Howard shot on a Canon DSLR  There will be eight photos selected form the collection of entries, and they will collectively be the inspiration for the movie short. The Short will be shot using Canon DSLR cameras and accessories, and there will be a Red Carpet premiere in New York where the winners will meet Ron Howard.

Entries for the contest will be accepted from May 22 to June 14th and there are eight movie themes to help you get your imagination and inspiration on: Setting, Time, Character, Mood, Relationship, Goal, Obstacle and the Unknown.

And if you want to be a better video shooter, learn from a still photographer. They have to capture a full story in just one frame – this contest allows you to practice both still and moving imaging skills.

Below is more information form Canon regarding the contest:

“I’m known as a narrative storyteller, so when Canon approached me to partner on the ‘Long Live Imagination’ campaign, I was moved by the opportunity to collaborate with the masses, tapping into consumers’ creativity and using their photos as building blocks to produce a film,” said Howard. “I hope the project stimulates people’s imaginations whether they are an amateur photographer, a world traveler or a proud parent, and I hope what we create is meaningful.”

A visually stunning television commercial that takes place within Ron Howard’s mind’s eye will begin airing May 22nd. The spot will promote the “Project Imagin8ion” contest and online community.

Throughout the promotion, Ron Howard, with the help of Canon experts with Project Imagin8ion and the community, will narrow down the submissions and select eight photos – one from each category. These eight winning photos will become the basis and inspiration for the short.

As part of the overall “Long Live Imagination” campaign, Canon will be curating the most inspiring photography out there, championing the imagination of the masses while demonstrating the infinite possibilities of Canon digital imaging. The customized Long Live Imagination brand channel on YouTube will serve as a meeting place and sharing community for Canon users and photography enthusiasts alike throughout 2011. The Imagination Gallery will be linked to other social media platforms including Flickr, Facebook and Twitter, so that users can easily share their photos, pose questions to the community and participate in real-time discussions. Though the gallery will launch as the home of Canon’s “Project Imagin8ion” initiative, the community page will live-on and continue to grow.

You can win some free video tools, just by donating to the Japanese earthquake relief efforts overseas. Or just donate to help because Japan needs our help, and they’ve supported our hobby, career and love of video creation all these years.

For years we’ve enjoyed their technological innovations, we’ve used their products, enjoyed their technical advancements, salivated over the latest techno ‘gee-whiz’ toy they released. Our visits to Las Vegas for the Consumer’s Electronics Show (CES) and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) every year remind us of their importance to our industry and our lives, now the Japanese are in dire pain and despair, and video producers are giving back. You have a chance of winning some video gear at NAB 2011 due to the efforts of producer-director Philip Bloom.

The massive earthquake, then the following tsunami, and now radiation in the very air they breathe, water they drink and food they eat, has touched every single person living in the entire island country of Japan in ways few can completely understand.

Factories that build our gadgets are closing, companies that deliver our goods are unable to process the orders, and benevolent producers like world-renowned documentarian Philip Bloom are reaching out to help.

Bloom posted a “Help Japan” message on his website, offering a chance to win an iPad – his very own iPad – as incentive to donors. Other manufacturers of techno and video gadgets stepped up to the challenge and also offered “prizes” in Bloom’s drawing for cash donations to the Japanese Relief fund.

Do you recognize any of these names? GoPro, Marshall, Kessler Crane, Letus, Zacuto, Digieffects, Redrock, Redgiant, and Cineroid? You should, we’ve written about every one of them in Videomaker and they all have some connection to Japan – either due to design, or build or accessories for their products. All of these companies have donated gear for the drawing.

Bloom’s drawing will be held at NAB 2011 in Las Vegas in a few weeks, and participants need not be present to win. Many people have donated to the causes posted on Bloom’s site stating they don’t want a prize, only to help those that have given so much to the video world. Where would we be today without these companies’ designs, innovations and support?

Everyday, Videomaker hears news from companies we work with – Robin Hoffman of JVC sent us a note confirming JVC’s employees are safe, DisplaySearch tells us the chemicals needed in some semiconductors and LCD displays are affected and the supply chain is on hold.

Our own CEO, Matt York, was in Japan just 2 days before this tremendous quake, meeting with Sony reps about their latest releases in the NXCAM family. Some Sony plants have been shut down, and other companies like Canon, Panasonic, Hitachi, Grass Valley and more – all companies you read about every day in the pages of Videomaker – have been affected. Sony is donating 300 million Japanese yen to help the country and 30,000 radios to help get news updates to citizens.

So check out Bloom’s site – or follow the links below. These relief agencies below are the ones posted to Bloom’s site. If you donate and can prove a receipt, follow up with Bloom’s site for a chance to win – or just join in the conversation.

World Vision , Mercy Corps , Islamic Relief USA , Red Cross

NAB 2011 will be a somber one this year, I know it will stand as a reminder of how small this world has become and how we all share in concern for our friends across the Pacific. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to all of those who have lost loved ones during the tragedy.

Starting December 6, 2010 Canon will start to provide as a chargeable service, a locking mode dial modification for the “5D Mark II” and “7D” HDSLR cameras.

This modification is available, for a fee, to owners of these cameras who would prefer a Mode Dial which locks in place and can’t be accidentally moved during normal camera operation especially when shooting video.

The pricing of the locking mode dial modification service for EOS 5D Mark II and 7D cameras has been set at $100 per camera as of December, 2010.

Once modified, users must first press and hold down the central lock-release button in order to turn the Mode Dial. The modification is intended to prevent the Mode Dial from accidentally moving, once set to a particular exposure mode by the user.