VDSLR's Present and Future

I have been watching the Video DSLR market evolve as I use Canon still cameras for still work an other "video" cameras for video work. Just recently have I started experimenting with the DSLR's for video applications.

These cameras are not supposed to be incredible video machines, but the industry is taking notice. But will the still camera makers be quick enough to react and seize the market?

When I step back, I am a bit puzzled at the marketplace. On one hand, there is the RED company which has a $17,500 body which has a 11.5mp sensor that was designed to function in a motion picture environment. I have read that this cameras has had heat issues through it's development. Even though this camera has a 11.5mp sensor (which would give it relatively large photosites), it's ISO (light gathering ability) is not off of the charts.

Then we have the 5DMKII which sells for $3000, has 21mp and was designed for still use. This camera is limited to 12min of recording due to memory limitations but is that a heat limitation as well? Compared to the RED, the 5D seems to be more flexible with ISO and light gathering even though it has way smaller photosites.

So I wonder, if Canon could make a new sensor the size of the 5DMII sensor but at 2.1mp for 1080p video only, the ISO would be off of the charts. What is stopping them? Is it technical? Is it a relative low demand or market size?

RED and its future products was supposed to turn the industry upside down, but from my view, it looks like Canon has that ability through much better sensor development and a large user install base owning their lenses.

Will they do it? And how does RED fit into this landscape? Scarlet does not seem as groundbreaking anymore...

Your thoughts for discussion?