Okay, first off, please don't kill the messanger.
I was at a convention in San Francisco today and I spoke to a photographer covering the event. This guy was the real deal; I saw his legimate press pass and creditentials. He was shooting with two Canon 1d Mark IIs which got my attention. I've never shot one before and so I started asking him some questions about the 1d MII.
Eventually, he asked me what I shoot and I told him that I shot a D60 and an 20D. The photographer told me that he was recently speaking to a "Canon R&D guy I know in Europe." The guy works for Canon and told him that Canon's new Autumn DSLR will be a 12 Megapixel camera called the D40. It will be the newest camera in the line of D30, D60, 10D and 20D.
The sensor will "more than likely be larger, along the lines of the 1D MII size." (This would make 12 Meg more feasible)
The photographer proceeded to tell me that Canon always comes out with a rebate on the current model just before they announce the new model. SOP for them. This is to help move a large amount of bodies since people hold off purchasing the current model if a new one is going to be available soon. (And there is $100 rebate on the 20D right now)
Here's the announcement history of Canon DSLRs:
D30 - announced May 17 2000
D60 - announced February 22 2002
10D - announced February 27 2003
20D - announced August 19 2004
You'll note that Canon has announced a new DSLR in this line every year. The only exception was the two years between the D30 and D60. However, the D30 was Canon's first and only DSLR and Canon did come out with the 1D on September 25 2001.
Now, we all know that until Canon makes an announcement, this is simply speculation. But I did have this conversation this afternoon and even if it does eventually proof false, I was very geeked all the way home today.
Anybody else heard any rumours or leaks? Maybe someone who has contact(s) at Canon? Maybe someone whose intials may be M.R.? Even a "No comment" comment?