Camera Labs

The 1D X has new features for Canon but were already present in some form on Nikon (the metering and AF system).

So what's really new?

I believe this is the first camera with AF microadjust that can be set at different focal lengths to better handle zooms.

Multi-file video to bust the filesize limit. Don't think that's been done in a (primarily) photographic camera before although trivial to implement and I've long wondered why they haven't done so previously. The lower compression rate option might make it more essential now.

Is it the first full frame DSLR at 12fps with AF? Did any film SLRs go that fast?

That'll do for starters. I didn't verify the details so they might not be true.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi Thomas,

There are certainly some headline grabbing specifications but I have a sneaky feeling that at the end of the day what will make the 1D X really special is how well they all work together.

The only possible area of dissension I can see is from some who wanted a higher pixel count for the studio and from sports and wildlife photographers who might bemoan a slight loss of reach. I think both will soon get over that if the improvements in IQ are as claimed. The increased dynamic range and reduced moiré should easily make up for the tiny reduction in pixel count for the 1Ds shooters and the reduced moiré and improved low light capabilities (translating into faster usable shutter speeds) may well mollify all but a few 1D shooters.

OK, I'm speculating way above my pay grade in both scenarios but I have a feeling that Canon have really found the sweet spot with the 1D X as it's a camera that can do pretty much everything really well except those few jobs that need a Hasselblad or similar with a crazy digital back.

If I had need of a 1-series type of camera then, for the moment, I can't think of a single thing I'd want to change.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Interesting release at least far better than Crappy Nikon 1 Series or Pentax Q series


Its a nice replacement of a 1D MKIII but the 18 Mp this makes Pixelpeeper goes frown though

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Soon.....

Bob, I thought the "reduced moiré" was a video feature. There's no reason to assume Canon haven't designed the AA filter adequately so for stills it should not be an issue regardless. And I think if there is any improvement in dynamic range, it'll be simply from advances in sensor tech as opposed to simply having a lower MP count. On both counts I think we have to wait for sample images as well as formal tests by the usual suspects.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Hmm, you may well be right as I can only see moiré referenced in conjunction with video in the Canon documentation. I conflated the gapless microlenses (a first for a full-frame sensor from Canon) with reduced moiré. I've no idea why moiré should be an issue on 1080 video from a sensor with 18 or 21 MP.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

This camera blowed me away,I'm amazed on what features are present here. Great AF,3 processors with one handling the metering & stuff,the multi-file-video-recording-thing is great,makes scence since Canon has great movie mode availble & should enhance the maximum comfort possible for the customer. I also am amazed on the 12 FPS for an 18 Mpx full-frame,the availability of the Ethernet ( ) & the redesign of the joystick so that it would be more more logical & practical for the comfort of the photographer's hands.

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
Visit my work here

Bob, I think the "no moire" was in reference to the current big sensor DSLR video benchmark: the 5D2. Although it has a big sensor, in video mode I understand it uses line skipping and the relatively sparse sampling causes the moire if the conditions are right (or wrong). I assume the 1D X uses either less skipping, or preferably whole sensor resampling to provide the output for maximum video quality. I don't know if they stated that previously as I didn't pay much attention to video.

I believe the gapless micro-lenses are purely to increase sensitivity with possibly a benefit to reducing sampling issues close to the sensor nyquist point. The anti-aliasing filter should still primarily take care of that regardless, and this is more relevant to stills. At least I don't recall any Leica-like offset microlens references.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi folks,

14 frames per second looks and sounds like this.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Nice - I was wondering what 14 fps sounded like! I was a little disappointed that it was hard to hear the continuous shooting in Fritz's commercial.

Mirror lock-up needs to be engaged for that 14fps, so would that mean you'd have to be using it in Live View? ? If so, that doesn't seem too practical.
Anyway, 12 fps is plenty fast!

It looks like an absolutely awesome camera, but I really think they should've added an articulated screen. They are pushing the video capabilities, so what not have it?? I rarely use it on my 60D, but when I need it, its extremely handy. If you don't need it just don't use it.

I was a little surprised at the modest megapixel count, but that appears to be the trade off for low noise - and I bet this is going to have some really clean images even at high ISO's. I don't think Canon would have released anything that didn't give that last Nikon flagship (D3x) a serious run for its money - and the D3x is pretty amazing at high ISOs.

One last gripe, and that's the lack of any way to trigger off camera flashes without attaching a master flash - I don't want to waste a 580 EX II in the hotshoe! ...oh well, if you're griping about having to buy an extra 580 EX II, the 1D X is probably too expensive for you anyway.

Anyway, awesome camera!

I was convinced they would not merge the lines, especially as they just released the 8-15 with support for 1.3 crop factor. Still, I am certainly very happy with the announcement.

This camera has ticked all the boxes for me, though I note they have not sold the better DR as a key point (it is mentioned, but no details and not positioned strongly as a key feature), which makes me wonder how much of an improvement in DR there will be. Still, I love the quality of the 1DIV and 5DII, so any improvement on them is still great. I am pretty certain I am going to replace my 1DIV with this camera. I will wait and see what they bring out to replace the 5DII before deciding if I will repalce that too, as the smaller size is sometimes preferable.

The improved ISO I hope will be as good as they describe. It means a lot for low light group shots, where something like f4 is needed to get them all in focus. When a client specifically asks for no flash, this will mean it should not be so much of a problem. We will see. On the same note, I am also hoping the improved low light focusing lives up to what they claim. This will be very beneficial again to wedding receptions with no flash.

The ability to detect faces and set the exposure based on the faces is also just great. I note too that it also works with flash. Really good feature. Will be interested to try it out.

18 MP is fine for me. I am happy they did the right thing regarding pixel count vs picture quality (IMO). Not sure how much reach will be lost with the new FF vs the 1.3 crop. The extra reach does come in handy.

Such a shame we have to wait 5 months for this camera.....

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If you crop the 1DX's pictures to get the 1.3x crop of the APS-H camera you have about 10.6mp left. So in comparison you loose ~1/3 of the reach.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

thanks, good to know.

I'll repeat myself: "Any ideas why it will take them till March next year to produce?"
Haven't heard any (good) answers yet...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Hi Thomas,

Wasn't there a longish wait for a high end Nikon a few years ago? Does anyone know if Canon will be making a fair few cameras available for real world testing to identify any bugs prior to mass availability in March? It might make sense, particularly in view of the new AF system, especially if they want to see large numbers of them deployed at the Olympics next summer. Maybe Gordon will be offered one for testing or we can persuade you to switch from Nikon!

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Maybe the 5 months of wait is so stores can have time to sell off their 1D IVs, to build anticipation, or maybe the earthquake/tsunami is a factor.

Those are the only reasons I can think of.