Camera rumors 2017: the biggest and best camera rumors around

With the likes of Photokina, CES and CP+ trade shows now distant memories, you may think the photography rumor mill might be quietening down over the summer months, but things never stand still and it's time for an all-new camera rumors article.

Combining the latest industry gossip, emerging trends in the digital photography market and our own tech insights into what each of the major camera makers can do – and what they might do next.

We've taken a look at all the main rumors doing the rounds, and while some are fairly predictable upgrades to current cameras, it can be a bit more tricky in other cases, where we've had to sift the genuine leaks from the wild speculation.

So let's take a look at what we think we might see from the major manufacturers in the not-too-distant future…

Canon rumors: Now we've seen the EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 6D Mark II, what else are we likely to see? Canon's recently launched the EOS M5, but will we see a full-frame mirrorless camera from Canon?

Nikon rumors: The Nikon D850 is finally here, but could we also see a replacement to the under-loved retro-inspired Df? The Nikon D750 could get an update, too.

Sony rumors: We've just had the announcement of the Alpha A9, so we could possibly next see a 70MP+ sensor in an Alpha A7R III.

Fujifilm rumors: Fuji's been pretty busy recently - we've had the GFX 50S, X-T20 and X100F, while last year saw the fabulous X-T2 and X-Pro2, but we could see the 24MP sensor make its way into replacements for the X70 and X-E2S?

Olympus rumors: There are rumors we could seen a replacement to the brand's brilliant OM-D E-M10 II.

Panasonic rumors: With a raft of announcements at Photokina including the long awaited GH5, things are a little quiet at the moment.

The best cameras you can buy right now

Canon full-frame mirrorless camera

If the rumors are true, Canon is working on a full-frame mirrorless camera

Predicted specs: The sensor from the 1D X Mark II or 5D Mark IV | Existing lens mount

CanonRumors is also reporting that Canon is working on a mirrorless full-frame camera, and the good news is that it's likely to use an existing lens mount, which is in no doubt causing the engineers at Canon some huge headaches.

Nikon D760

A gentle upgrade over the ageing D750 would strengthen Nikon’s FX offerings

Predicted specs: Full-frame 36.3MP sensor | 4K video recording | Tilting touchscreen

The D750 may be a well-loved and affordable full-frame option in Nikon’s stable, but it's over two years old now and could do with a boost to compete against a handful of more recent full-frame arrivals. Nikon Rumors has reported that a Honduran newspaper – of all sources – has stated that a D760 is imminent, so what could this offer? If the D820 appears with even more pixels, could we see the D760 take advantage of the 36.3MP sensor to replace the current 24MP chip? A top shutter speed of 1/8000sec could be on the cards, which makes sense as the D750’s maximum 1/4000sec shutter speed is a understandable compromise to help it be attractively priced, but a compromise nonetheless.

It would be surprising to find such a camera arrive without 4K video recording, particularly after the 4K-enabled D500 and D5. It’s also likely to have a tilting screen like the D750, although Nikon would no doubt want this to match its D500 sibling in offering touch sensitivity too.

Nikon Df II

Perhaps Nikon will turn its retro-styled FX SLR into a retro-styled FX CSC?

Predicted specs: Mirrorless design | Class-leading electronic viewfinder | Nikon F-mount

Everyone got very excited about the Df when it was announced, but its high price and relatively low pixel count in comparison with the D810 made it something of a luxury purchase. The traditional-style controls also aren't as well implemented as on Fuji's X-T1, which was launched around the same time.

It's possible that the Df II will 'just' correct the handling issues of the Df and have a higher resolution sensor - maybe even using the D5's 20MP sensor. However, it's no secret that Nikon has lost market share to Sony and its Alpha 7-series of full-frame retro-styled compact system cameras, and the company needs to stage a comeback.

Rumors have been circulating for a while that Nikon has a full-frame mirrorless model on the way, and the Df design could provide an ideal starting point – albeit with a few significant modifications, like the removal of the mirror and the introduction of an electronic viewfinder.

Whether we'll see it break cover in 2016 is less likely. With 2017 Nikon's centenary year, we could see Nikon hold off until then.

Nikon 1 J%

Nikon 1 system

Will we ever see another Nikon 1 mirrorless camera again?

The last Nikon 1 system camera was the 1 J5, announced back at the beginning of April 2015, and we haven't seen sight or sound of a new model since.

The arrival of Nikon's new range of DL compact cameras at the beginning of last year, all featuring 1.0-inch, 21MP sensors, with specifications that seemed to cast a shadow of the current 1 system offerings, with many people questioning the need for Nikon's current mirrorless offering now these compacts had arrived.

These models though, after over a year of delays have been cancelled, but there hasn't been a whiff of a 1 system rumor in ages either. Could Nikon be quietly admitting defeat?

Sony Alpha

Sony Alpha A9R

Could Sony launch a high-end pro-spec mirrorless flagship camera?

Predicted specs: Full-frame 70-80MP sensor | Same body as Alpha A9

With the arrival of the fabulous looking 24MP, 20fps Alpha 9, what can we expect next from Sony?

While the full-frame 42MP Alpha 7R II is clearly still has one of the best sensors available, we can't help but speculate that Sony are going to try and get even more pixels on a full-frame sensor, potentially almost doubling the resolution offered by the A7R II and pitting it against medium format cameras.

Put this sensor in the Alpha A9's body with its more polished control layout and the Alpha A9R could be a monster of a camera.

Sony Alpha A7 III

Rumors are growing that we could see an update to Sony's enthusiast full-frame mirrorless camera

Predicted specs: Full-frame 24MP sensor | Joystick AF control | Advanced AF system

Rumors are starting to pick-up that we'll see an update to the Alpha A7 II, and one that'll benefit from the trickle-down of technology from the Alpha 9.

That means we could see the 24MP sensor make its way into a more affordable body, and while we don't expect to see it capable of rattling off 20fps to rival the A9, we should see a serious speed increase too.

We'd also be surprised if the A7 III gets the same awesome 693-point AF system as the A9, but again, we'd expect to see a big leap over the AF system in the A7 II. To quickly toggle between AF points, expect Sony to give the A7 III the same mini joystick that's on the A9.

Fuji X200

Fujifilm X70F

A new sensor and processing engine, plus an improved AF system look on the cards for Fujifilm's pocket premium compact camera

Predicted specs: 24MP APS-C format sensor | 28mm equivalent lens | Improved AF system

We've just had the X100F announced with a number of new improvements, so we can expect Fujifilm to turn its attention to the X70 update next.

We'd be incredibly surprised if it doesn't get a resolution upgrade, increasing the pixel count from 16 million to 24 million as we've seen with Fuji's other recent announcements.

We reckon Fujifilm will stick with the 28mm equivalent prime lens, but it might be tempted to up the ante a little by increasing the maximum aperture from f/2.8 to f/2 for even better low light performance and depth of field control, but it may 'just' use a new optical design or coatings to boost performance.

Or perhaps we'll see multiple versions - maybe one with a fast 50mm f/1.8 equivalent optic.

Fujifilm has been working hard on improving the autofocus systems in its cameras, and this seems likely to continue, so we can expect the X70F to focus more quickly than the X70, with better low-light responses.

Fujifilm X-E3

A moderate update to Fujifilm affordable rangefinder-style mirrorless camera

Predicted specs: 24MP APS-C format sensor | Touchscreen | 4K video capture

The current rangefinder-styled X-E2S sits alongside the popular X-T10 in the Fujifilm mirrorless range. While one of the newer models, it's the odd-one-out when it comes to its sensor, utilising the ageing 16MP chip, so we'd expect a X-E3 with a 24MP sensor to fall into line with the rest of the range.

AF is likely to be tweaked for snappier performance, while awe could see a touchscreen and 4K video capture.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 III

It's still one of our favorite mirrorless cameras, but the E-M10 II is almost two years old now. Will we see a refreshed model soon?

Predicted specs: 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor | Core features to remain the same | 4K video

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II is one of our favorite mirrorless cameras - it's a compact powerhouse of a camera with great handling and spec, but it's now almost two years old now and with the likes of Fujifilm's X-T20 giving it some stiff competition, we would be surprized to see a Mark III model.

43rumors.com is reporting that we'll see one very soon, and has even got hold of what it believes to be the specification. From the looks of it, the core specification will remain the same, with the E-M10 III featuring the same 16MP resolution and excellent 5-axis image stabilization, though we're likely to see 4K video capture. Focusing could also get a bump up to 121 points.