Photography News Issue 30

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Photography News Issue 30 absolutephoto.com

Preview

Head to head: How theMark II compares to the EOS-1DX? While sharing what is essentially the form factor of the original EOS-1D X, many changes lie beneath the Mark II’s magnesium-alloy skin. According to Canon’s website, these are the headline variances likely to most appeal…

CANONEOS-1DXMARK II

CANONEOS-1DX

Resolution

20.2 megapixels

18.1 megapixels

Image processor

Dual DIGIC 6+

Dual DIGIC 5+

61 points/21 cross-type (all selectable)

AF points at f/8

1 cross-type

Approx 360,000 pixel RGB+IR sensor (dedicated DIGIC 6 processor)

Approx 100,000 pixel RGB sensor (dedicated DIGIC 4 processor)

Metering sensor

Auto 100-51,200 expandable to 50 and 409,600

Auto 100-51,200 expandable to 50 and 204,800

ISO sensitivity

Max approx 12fps with full AF and AE. Max approx 14fps in Live View mode

Max approx 14fps with full AF and AE. Max approx 16fps in Live View mode

Continuous frame rate

Above The soon-to-be-released WFT-E8 transmitter will offer EOS-1D X Mark II users the faster 802.11ac standard, plus the ability to start/stop movie recording through the Canon Camera Connect app.

GPS

Built-in with auto time update

External accessory

4K up to 50/60p for up to 29mins, 59secs

Full HD up to 25/30p for up to 29mins, 59mins

Movie function

High frame ratemovie

Full HD to 100/120p

n/a

Dual pixel CMOS AF with touchscreen LCD

Movie

Contrast-detect AF

If an FTP connection is more your thing, there have been substantial improvements here, too. On the 1D X, just five settings could be saved, whereas now up to 20 are available, along with the capability to name each one, something which pro sports shooters are sure to appreciate. With the more prestigious sporting venues offering dedicated services for photographers, once the connection has been made and renamed, it should be much easier on subsequent occasions. Just choose Old Trafford, Murrayfield or Wembley, for example. GPS bump aside, it’s hard to see many cosmetic differences, but they’re there. Canon was clearly keen to make the camera as familiar as possible to existing 1D X users and it has achieved this. But the handgrip has been deepened and

narrowed to make it easier for small-handed photographers to hold, plus there’s an index finger indent to make it more comfortable. On the front of the camera the ridge has been removed between the depth-of-field preview and Multi Function 2 buttons to make them easier to access when you’re wearing gloves, while if you peer through the eyepiece you’ll find a customisable viewfinder, which includes a handy leveller. Summary You can pre-order a Canon EOS- 1D X Mark II now, although you won’t get your mitts on it until May. In that time you can do one of two things. First, you can save up. At £5199 for the body, this is clearly not going to be to everyone’s financial taste, although most major retailers are

There’s little doubt that this is an incredibly accomplished DSLR

offering interest-free options and extra incentives if you to sign up now. Second, you can start to get very excited about what exactly you’re going to get. There’s little doubt that this is an incredibly accomplished DSLR and working my way through the specification, it’s hard to see exactly how the EOS-1D XMark II could be improved upon in the future.

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