Canon has unveiled the EOS-1D X, its next professional digital SLR camera with a newly developed full-frame 18.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, dual DIGIC 5+ processors and an ISO range of 100-512000, expandable up to 204800.
The DSLR camera is the first with the new dual DIGIC 5+ processors to help capture low noise images in extreme low-light conditions. Canon says it’s three times faster than the standard DIGIC 5 and is designed to manage massive levels of image data.
The EOS-1D X can record full 1920 x 1080p HD movies with a full range of manual settings to control exposure, focus and frame rate. Sound levels can also be displayed and adjusted on the LCD screen.
The dual processors work with the sensor’s 16-channel read-out to allow for full-resolution continuous shooting up to 12fps with 14-bit A/D conversion and full camera operation. A super high-speed mode extends this shooting speed to 14fps in JPEG format only. Its shutter and mirror mechanism reduces shutter lag and mirror bounce.
Its intra frame video codec maintains the highest possible video quality to limit image data compression, letting users keep increased levels of information for post-production editing.
It has a new 61-point wide-area autofocus system offering greater sensitivity. It includes 41 cross-type points with five dual cross-type points for improved accuracy.
The camera has a new RGB metering system, with a 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor linked to the AF system. This is powered by its own dedicated DIGIC 4 processor, which can detect faces and colours to detect correct exposure levels.
The EOS-1D X’s design focuses on larger, more tactile buttons to help photographers control their settings more easily, even when working in conditions when they need to wear gloves. It has two multi-controllers and a touch-sensitive control wheel for movie mode. It also has customisable function buttons, letting photographers set shortcuts and pre-sets to these buttons to suit their own needs.
It has an anti-reflective, 3.2-inch Cleer View II LCD screen with a 1040K-dot resolution. This has a hardened glass cover to boost its resistances when knocked over.
The Canon EOS-1D X’ European price has not been announced, however, it is expected to see a release in the US on March 2012 costing US$6,800.
