Is this the top of a Canon EOS 7D, or are we just hopelessly optimistic?

C'mon Canon, this is getting just a wee bit ridiculous. Yesterday's NYC event came and went without nary a mention of the just-has-to-be-real EOS 7D DSLR, though we did see the latest piece of mildly convincing evidence while canvassing those six new PowerShots. Today, we're taking a look at what appears to be the top plate of the forthcoming (or so we hear) camera, though the fanboys over at DPReview can't seem to say for sure if this is a fake or even a sensible design for such a beastly shooter. So, we're asking you, dear readers -- what do you make of this? Are you finally a believer that the almost mythical 7D is actually just around the bend? Or do you think we're all crazy for being in said camp?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 23rd 2009 5:23PM]

Okay, my .2c of speculation :o)

1. Image is real.
2. I don't care about the name.
3. Top flight APS-C camera, so will either raplace 50D or augment it. I would guess replace as without video 50D is looking a little lost. I know there are some features different to the previous XXD line (less consumer orientated top dial, for one) but that seems like a sensible evolution. I don't see many XXD user touching the various picture modes!
4. Built in flash, well it's easy with a small APS-C pentaprism, and clearly cheap enoungh so why not (other than weather sealing issues?).
5. In every other way I expect this to be an APS-C 5D2, if you get me.

6. I wonder... will they keep with the 15MP sensor? Good for headlines but it brought nothing to the image quality. If they go back to a 10MP sensor (like they just did with the G11), they'd not only have awesome low noise capability with DIGIC IV, but nearly 10FPS of through-put! Both of which would rock!