Canon launched EOS-1DX Mark II

The Canon 1 series is from a legendary SLR and DSLR Canon camera family, it’s not just a very powerful DSLR, it’s a monster machine, rugged, tough, powerful specifications and at a high fps. The main and ideal tool of trade for sports photographer, wildlife photographer and photojournalists. Having owned a Canon EOS-1D Mark III, I had the first hands on experience on the power and capabilities of the Canon 1 series. When the Canon EOS-1DX Mark I was launched, I had the opportunity to review it. The review experience was great and I had been longing to upgrade my Canon EOS-1D Mark III. With the announcement of the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, there is a likely chance that I would go for a used Canon EOS-1DX Mark I due to budget constraints. I confessed that I would love to own a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II if my finances and budget allow me to own it. Maybe in the near future!

At a recent media event, we were shown the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II and had a short hands on with the two units. It was very exciting for me, some of my friends and public relations folks knew about my desire and my next dream DSLR camera. I managed to record some short videos of the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, the short hands on and the 14fps action, with some help and assistance from fellow photographer friend, Joe Teh of TechieLobang.

In this particular article sharing, this would be more of an introduction article from the press release information and I would not go into details on the differences yet between the Canon EOS-1DX Mark I and EOS-1DX Mark II. On the differences and comparisons, I hope to share it when I am able to have the EOS-1DX Mark II unit available for review when they are officially available in the market.

Let me share some key points on Canon flagship DSLR, Canon EOS-1DX Mark II –

16fps when shooting with Live View with no screen blackout
AI Servo AF III+, a new AF algorithm
4K Image quality for EOS Movie
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Shutter count @ 400,000

Personally, I am into sports and wildlife photography, the Canon EOS-1 series definitely and always fit and suits my needs and requirements. Although I am not in the profession of a news photojournalist, my freelance photography work in events coverage and my own personal photography projects, the EOS-1 series is a great asset, especially my beloved, trusted and robust EOS-1D Mark III. Over time, wear and tear, the Canon EOS-1D Mark III had served me really well, brought me towards a level of professionalism and recognition. With the announcement of the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, this might be the time to semi-retire my Canon EOS-1D Mark III and I would get the Canon EOS-1DX Mark I as my flagship camera setup (I secretly and openly declare that I still want the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II if my budget allows).

From my lengthy personal thoughts and feelings on the introduction of the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, you would be able to see the passion and support that I have for the EOS-1 series family.

Let me officially introduce the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II from the press release information –

“To photographers, a moment lost is lost forever. The EOS-1D X Mark II is our masterpiece crafted through close collaboration with professionals in the industry, years of research and innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence for our users,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “We’re ecstatic to be unveiling the next generation of pro-level DSLRs capable of delivering stunning image quality and an unwavering reliability that professionals demand of their work consistently.”

Built for quality high-speed photography

A split second can mean a lot to professional photographers, especially those in the sports, journalism and wildlife fields. Beyond being there in the right moment to capture that one unique shot, professionals require equipment quick enough to capture that split second, in impeccable image quality, with precise focus for a perfectly composed shot – something that the EOS-1D X Mark II is capable of delivering. With its new 61-point all points selectable AF system with 41-points cross type AF, photographers benefit from an expanded AF area (approximately 24 percent vertically) compared to the EOS-1D X.

Its low-intensity limit function at the centre AF is also improved to EV-3, thus ensuring a solid performance even in low-light and low contrast conditions. Beyond the hardware, the DSLR is equipped with Al servo AF III+, a new AF algorithm with AI servo scenes analysis that improves AF precision in scenarios involving fast and unexpected movements. With all 61-points compatible to effective aperture of f/8 or faster, autofocusing is possible even when using teleconverters on super telephoto lenses, equipment common in wildlife and sports photography.

Additionally, the mirror on the EOS-1D X Mark II is constructed with a new drive mechanism that quickly suppresses vibration which enables the DSLR to deliver a quick frame rate of 14 fps with AF and auto-exposure tracking enabled, and an even more impressive 16 fps when shooting with Live View, with no screen blackout. With a CFast 2.0 card slot for high-speed writing, the EOS-1D X Mark II can capture up to 170 RAW images and an unlimited number of JPEG images in continuous shooting mode.

4K image quality for EOS Movie

In 2012, the EOS-1D C was the first EOS DSLR to incorporate 4K movie recording. With the EOS-1D X Mark II, users are now able to utilize 4K motion JPEG at 60/50p, resulting in amazingly smooth footages. The EOS-1D X Mark II’s Full HD recording feature comes with a new High Frame Rate mode that allows recording at 120/100, enabling slow motion video recording. The inclusion of a CFast slot caters to these high data-rate shooting modes.

With the addition of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF (DAF), a first in the EOS-1D series, users utilising phase-detection in Live View mode benefit from extremely fast auto-focusing and efficient tracking of moving subjects without aperture limitations. The DSLR also supports EV-3 for all effective AF points within the sensor area when shooting 4K movies. Similar to the EOS 7D Mark II, the EOS-1D X Mark II includes selectable adjustments for Movie Servo AF speed and Movie Servo AF tracking sensitivity, giving users more flexibility in controlling focus racking during video shooting. Additionally, the EOS-1D X Mark II is equipped with touch focus function for its DAF feature. With this, users can easily switch focus by tapping the LCD panel for AF point selection in Live View mode.

With the DSLR’s 4K Frame Grab function, users can also easily extract images[1] of approximately 8.8 megapixels in JPEG format from 4K movies recorded on the camera without connecting to a computer. The camera’s ability to shoot at 60p means sports and wildlife photographers can now pick one out of the sixty images in every second of the video, thereby achieving a much higher image hit-rate and improving work efficiency.

Top-class image quality

The EOS-1D X Mark II breaks new ground for the EOS line with a newly developed 35mm full frame CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 6+ image processors, enhanced resolution of 20.2- megapixel images, and expanded ISO speeds of up to 409,600, one full stop higher than its predecessor the EOS1D X. With this, users are able to achieve better shooting results in lowlight. The new 360,000 pixel RGB + IR metering sensor and EOS iTR AF system on the EOS-1D X Mark II also greatly improves tracking precision. For indoor shoots under artificial lighting, photographers can turn on an anti-flicker mode to detect high frequency flickering of lights, thus ensuring better exposure stability. With this feature, irregular exposure and colours caused by flickering lights can be better managed.

A new in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer is now able to process and optimize RAW images in-camera. Previously available only in post-production, this editing function includes chromatic aberration correction, peripheral illumination correction, and for the first time in EOS history, diffraction correction. The combination of these corrective functions allows photographers to obtain higher quality JPEGs directly from the camera without using a computer, enabling fast image productions where time is of essence. The inclusion of Fine Detail picture style also pushes JPEG files to achieve even higher levels of sharpness.

Made to last

Every part of the EOS-1D X Mark II from its mirror to shutter mechanisms is built for endurance and durability, giving the DSLR a shutter life expectancy of 400,000 cycles. The EOS-1D X Mark II is encased in a robust magnesium alloy body and designed to be dust- and drip-proof for enhanced protection against the elements, essential for reliability in the professional photographer’s varied line of work, especially when working at outdoor shoots.

In terms of design and ergonomics, the grip and button operations were improved for greater comfort and operability for photographers of varying hand sizes. The control configuration on the EOS-1D X Mark II also makes the horizontal and vertical layouts more similar, so shooting landscape or portrait will have a similar feel.

The EOS-1D X Mark II uses the LP-E19 battery, which has a 10 percent increase in capacity compared to the LP-E4N used in the EOS-1D X, providing photographers with longer usage while in the field.

Built in GPS function and optional Wireless File Transmitter

For the first time in the EOS-1D series, GPS is built into the body of the camera. This allows all the photos to be tagged with accurate location information, providing users specific location references especially when traveling between assignments and locations. Access to satellite clocks also ensures accurate time-stamp information, allowing for more efficient organization of images.

File transfer is also made easy with the Wireless File Transmitter, WFT-E8D, available as an option with the EOS-1D X Mark II. The WFT-E8D supports high speed file transfer which supports IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz band) wireless LAN. When mounted on the EOS-1D X Mark II, it allows seamless wireless connection between the photographer’s smartphone and the camera, allowing photographers to remotely control the camera for still image shooting, movie recording and transferring of images from camera to smartphone all via Canon’s Camera Connect app. The EOS-1D X Mark II is also equipped with a USB 3.0 port for high speed data transfer.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability of the EOS-1D X Mark II will be announced at a later date

Product Specifications

EOS 1D X Mark II

Dimensions: Approx. 158 x 167.6 x 82.6m

Weight: Approx. 1340g (body only)

Image sensor: 20.2 mega-pixel 35mm Full Frame CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Imaging processor: Dual DIGIC 6+

ISO speed: 100-51,200 (expandable to 409,600)

Continuous shooting speed: 16 fps (Live View), 14 fps (Viewfinder)

Maximum video quality: 4K 60p (max. 30 mins)

AF: 61-point High-Density Reticular AF System (41-point cross type)