Canon brings video, improved autofocus to EOS-1D Mark IV

(Credit: Canon USA)

With the winter Olympics looming on the horizon, Canon's announcement of an update to its pro sports-shooting mainstay, the EOS-1D series, comes as little surprise. While the buzz will probably center around the incorporation of a similar video-capture engine to that of the 7D, (thanks to slick, promotable-at-launch pro videos like this) or the incredibly high max sensitivity of ISO 102,400 (like the D3S), neither of those matters much if it can't deliver on its core mission of fast, accurate autofocus (AF) and low noise in the midrange sensitivities.

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV photos

The reputation of the EOS' AF system has taken a beating over the past couple of years, and Canon seems to have pulled out the stops to redeem itself--of course, only time and testing will tell if it's succeeded. On paper, though, with more cross-type AF points, enhancements to improve low-light/low-contrast AF, and an update to its predictive AF tracking algorithms, it has the potential to outpower the veteran system in the D3S.

Here's where it stands on the key specs:

	Canon EOS-1D Mark III	Canon EOS-1D Mark IV	Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III	Nikon D3S
Sensor (effective resolution)	10.1-megapixel CMOS	16.1-megapixel CMOS	21.1-megapixel CMOS	12.1-megapixel CMOS
	28.1 x 18.7mm	27.9 x 18.6mm	36.0 x 24.0mm	36.0 x 23.9mm
Magnification factor	1.3x	1.3x	1.0x	1.0x
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded)	ISO 50 (expanded)/100 - ISO 12,800/102,400 (expanded)	ISO 50 (expanded)/100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded)	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 12,800/102,400 (expanded)
Continuous shooting	10 fps 30 raw/110 JPEG	10 fps 26 raw/121 JPEG	5 fps 12 raw/56 JPEG	9 fps 36 raw/82 JPEG
Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification	100% coverage 0.76x/0.58x	100% coverage 0.76x/0.58x	100% coverage 0.76x/0.76x	100% coverage 0.70x/0.70x
Autofocus	19-pt AF all cross-type	45-pt AF 39 cross-type	45-pt AF 19 cross-type	51-pt AF 15 cross-type
Metering	63 zones	63 zones	63 zones	1,005 pixel 3D color matrix
Shutter speeds	1/8000 to 30 sec; 1/300 sec max flash X-sync	1/8000 to 30 sec; 1/300 sec max flash X-sync	1/8000 to 30 sec; 1/250 sec max flash X-sync	1/8000 to 30 sec; bulb; 1/250 sec max flash X-sync (1/8000 focal plane sync)
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video (highest resolution)	None	1080p at 30fps (720p at 60fps) H.264 QuickTime MOV	None	1280x720 at 24fps MJPEG AVI
LCD size	3 inches fixed 230,000 dots	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots	3 inches fixed 230,000 dots	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots
Shutter durability	300,000 cycles	300,000 cycles	300,000 cycles	300,000 cycles
Battery life (CIPA rating)	2,200 shots	1,500 shots	1,800 shots	4,300 shots
Dimensions (inches, WHD)	6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1	6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1	6.1 x 6.3 x 3.1 in.	6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4
Body operating weight (ounces)	47.3	47.9 (estimated)	50.0	50.4 (estimated)
Mfr. Price (body only)	$3,999.99	$4,999.99	$6,999.99	$5,199.95

As is usual, in conjunction with increasing the resolution Canon has tweaked the sensor design to combat noise. In this case, that means improving the coverage of the microlenses for maximum light gathering and making the photodiode wells deeper. Canon bumps to two Digic 4 image processors, up from the Digic III, to maintain its 10fps burst rate at the higher resolution.

In addition to the increase in AF points, Canon has made them more configurable. As with Nikon, you can choose subsets of the group or expand points around the selected one, though I don't believe it allows you to clump them the way Olympus' AF system allows--one of my favorite capabilities. (You can find a complete feature list on Canon's site.) However, it does allow you to preset three selected single-focus points, one for each orientation of the camera (two vertical, one horizontal), that it automatically switches to. That sounds kind of neat.

Canon also announced a new wireless transmitter the WFT-E2 II A that only works with the Mark IV (which might peeve some people who have a variety of Canon bodies), though it has some nice features like support for Bluetooth (to link with geotagging accessories).

The EOS-1D Mark IV is slated to ship at the end of December. If the universe is feeling benevolent, I'll have one to test soon after--a (hopefully) hot camera to warm up those cold midwinter days.

[chriscooksey]

it seems like neither Nikon nor Canon is making an effort to throw something revolutionary into the works lately, just refinements. That said, that 1/300th sync speed is nice

[Neumenon]

Exactly how many models of cameras do these companies feel they need to offer?

Talk about a glut of choices.

You'd think there were 10's of millions of professional photographers out there. I kinda think a fair portion believe that if they had a $5000 camera that it somehow makes them a fotografer er sumpin'

Kinda think this is a marketing myth, and CNet certainly plays it's part in the storytelling.

[abashford]

Probably at least two models...

One optimized for absolute resolution & silence - portrait work, weddings, other more 'still' work

One optimized for speed - sports, reporting, etc.

And ?of course? probably one to bridge the two for 'prosumers'....

And another just to be sure you covered everyone.

;)

[stump556]

Obviously you're not in the photog business or hobby. If you were, you would understand all the differences and how nice having options is. Different tools for different "types" of shooting and different budgets.

[SX10 IS]

Huh? The APS-H sensor is smaller than that of the Mark III? What gives?

[stump556]

Nope, it's the same size as the 1D Mark III. You're probably thinking of the 1Ds Mark III, it's a full frame version. But the regular 1D III has always been a 1.3 crop sensor.

[SX10 IS]

Er, have a look at Lori's chart...

[SX10 IS]

Lori:

You made the same mistake with the 7D. The two cameras shoot video at 30p for 1080p and 60p for 720p, yes that's true. But you left out one of the main features: 1080p can be shot at either 24p, 25p, or 30p, and 720p at either 50p or 60p.

[brndrstn]

i hope this means a new 5D Mark III soon :)

[SX10 IS]

Not quite. It's not time for a Canon EOS 5D Mark III yet. Maybe a Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark IV.

[romek]

So my 7D is really impressive, I know it will be my last Crop camera but I have to say... it's really good. (both in speed and features).

This 1D MIV has very similar specs to the 7D (with the focus system being the most different, though similar). Looking at Canon's history of releases, the 5D MIII won't be out until end of next year at the earliest, but that's still much faster than when they moved from the 5D MI to the 5D MII... the thing is that the markets are changing. Competition as well as new technology are forcing these changes and since the DSLR market has grown so much over the years, you should expect models to start coming out more regularly (12-14 month intervals). This will be true for all models including the high end ones. Also, I predict Canon, Nikon and everyone else to start making the move to full frame DSLRs more reducing (and later discontinuing) all the crop DSLR models (I would say there will be few or no crop sensor cameras sold within 5 years time).

The thing with the 7D is that even though it is not full frame, it's speed and quality is very close to the full frame models and that difference will only get smaller with time. It's a great time to own a DSLR and to watch as the models evolve, with new features, some that are expected (new metering, focusing, higher fps) and others that are not (video, GPS geo-tagging, even 3D).

[reng2005]

The battery life is a bummer. If you're into videography, the 1D Mark IV is definitely better than the D3s, but otherwise I'd probably pick the D3s. (Much will depend on how good the new AF system, with 39 cross-type points, is.)