Canon recently showcased its latest flagship DSLR camera the EOS-1D X Mark II at a press preview held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the company its latest powerhouse DSLR shoots 14 frames per second (fps) with full AF/AE tracking and 16 fps in Live View mode – which is ideal for capturing high-speed subjects, whether in the wild, or at world-class sporting events.
Developed using feedback from the worldwide community of EOS-1D X photographers, the EOS-1D X Mark II features a new 20.2 MP full frame CMOS sensor and new Al Servo AF III+, as well as 4K video capture up to 60p.
Canon revealed that the latest camera boasts a wide and versatile ISO range – an incredible 100 to 51200, expandable from 50 up to 409600 – which allows it to excel in all lighting environments, from the brightest through to near darkness.
Ensuring each shot is captured with precision, the camera features an improved 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type AF points, which covers an expanded area and focuses under low light up to -3EV. For the first time, when shooting with selected extenders and telephoto lenses, the new AF system also offers f/8 AF support with all 61 points, giving you the freedom to choose the focus point. Alongside Canon’s popular pro AF technologies – EOS iTR and AF Case settings – the EOS-1D X Mark II also includes new AI Servo AF III+ that improves the tracking sensitivity in scenes where subject movements may occur suddenly, such as animals moving quickly through the wild.
Working in partnership with the AF system is a new 360k RGB+IR metering sensor, providing accurate exposure and improved subject detection. Flicker Detection, as originally introduced in the EOS 7D Mark II, also guarantees consistent results under artificial lights – perfect for indoor sporting events.
Canon revealed at the event that the EOS-1D X Mark II is able to shoot 14 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking and in RAW, equipping you to capture the exact moment of a sporting event, or an animal catching its prey. For those needing even more, up to 16fps can be shot in Live View mode without AF. With the new CFast 2.0 card capability, the camera can deliver a burst of unlimited JPEGs or 170 RAW images in continuous high speed shooting.
The EOS-1D X Mark II is a highly responsive EOS DSLR thanks in part to the new Dual “DIGIC 6+” processors providing high-speed processing of the vast image data captured by the sensor. The refined mirror construction utilises a new drive mechanism to empower high speed shooting, with minimal mirror vibration or noise.
Canon’s heritage in 4K movies culminates in the EOS-1D X Mark II, giving film-makers the option of shooting 4K (4096×2160) in a variety of frame rates up to 60fps to the CFast 2.0 card. It also enables Full HD (1920x1080p) movie shooting at an incredible 120fps, ideal for slow motion scenes. Decisive moments from a 60fps 4K scene can be extracted as a high resolution 8.8MP still, giving you even more control over the exact moment of capture.
Film-makers, according to Canon, can enjoy fast and smooth AF in 4K and Full HD shooting thanks to Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and Movie Servo AF, while the touch panel LCD enables you to quickly select AF points when shooting movies.
Professionals have the tools they need to manage their images, ensuring they can easily be transferred to news agencies or outlets in a matter of seconds. Built-in GPS records shooting locations in EXIF data, helping pros keep an accurate record of their shoots. Both Ethernet wired LAN and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 give you the choice of how images are shared – via FTP or direct to computers. Additionally, the new WFT-E8 wireless file transmitteri also supports the high-speed standard 802.11ac (5 GHz band).
Epitomising EOS design heritage, the EOS-1D X Mark II features an improved grip and controls, offering enhanced operability that feels natural in the hand, and weather proofing makes it resilient against the elements, ideal for outdoor shoots. The Intelligent Viewfinder II provides approximately 100% field of view, with an electronic overlay of shooting information meaning you never have to move your eye away from the viewfinder.
Editor: Darryl Linington
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