I agree that Canon has not produced any new ground breaking cameras in several years, but their lens lineup allows me to create images that no other 35mm system can offer.
The Canon tilt-shift lineup outpaces any other manufacturer (17mm, 24mm, 50mm, 90mm, 135mm, all with the ability to change the tilt/shift orientation, and three with 1/2 life-size macro capability). The macro lens lineup includes the unique MP-E 65mm, which has 1x-5x macro capabilities. Telephoto lenses with image stabilization were introduced by Canon years before they were available from other companies. The 200-400mm with built in 1.4 TC stood alone until the recent announcement by Nikon. The 8-15mm fisheye to rectilinear lens has been available since 2010, and has only recently been introduced by Nikon. Canon was also the first company to introduce DO lenses. I could go on, but suffice to say I would have switched to Nikon when the D800 came out, but the Canon lens lineup continued to keep me in their camp.
I understand that most photographers can make the photos they want with standard lenses (the 24-70s and 70-200s, for example), and so they can easily switch from one great body to another, regardless of manufacturer, if they can afford to take the losses incurred when switching systems. However, I own and use many of the above mentioned Canon lenses, and switching to a company that offers less creative options does not make sense for me.
Do other companies offer cameras and lenses that I would like to have? Of course. But none that I know of offer the whole package that Canon produces. Can some of the work these lenses allow me to do be created in Photoshop? Yes, but I prefer to get what I want in camera, and not spend any more time than I have to working on images in PS. Do my prints suffer because I don't have the best cameras available? Perhaps, but I can easily make 40 x 60 prints if that is what the customer wants, and I don't think you would be able to tell what camera made them.
I've been following these forums for years. I remember when both Michael, and many members, were smitten with Canon gear. Times change, and most of the current praise on these forums is for Sony and Nikon gear, as it should be when it comes to cameras. Indeed, I have often thought of buying the Sony a7rII (now III) for the better DR it offers. So, I'll give you that Canon cameras have not been innovative, but I have to disagree with that when it comes to lenses. In my opinion, Canon leads the innovation parade when it comes to lenses.
Mary