Canon has today announced the successor to the EOS-1D Mark II, this updated camera carries the N suffix to indicate its moderate range of updates. The EOS-1D Mark II N has the same 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the same DIGIC II image processor and 8.5 fps shooting speed. The primary changes are a new 2.5" wide viewing angle LCD monitor, improved buffering characteristics, new 'Picture Style' image parameters and the ability to write different formats simultaneously to SD and CF cards. The EOS-1D Mark II N is priced at $3999 and will be available in September.

Phil: The only imaging pipeline change introduced to the 'N' are the new 'Picture Style' image parameters. Anyone who has used an EOS-1D digital SLR will know that the default image parameters apply virtually no sharpening at all, the new Picture Style's now do so. My only concern with the new 'Picture Style' option is how it is presented in the menu, each Picture Style can have a different tone curve however a contrast of zero (0) could be indicated for each leaving the photographer with the assumption that they would produce the same contrast, not true.

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Press Release:

Professional requirements drive Canon’s
new EOS-1D Mark II N

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 August, 2005 - Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today launches the EOS-1D Mark II N: an upgrade of the award winning EOS-1D Mark II. Still featuring 8.2 Megapixel performance at 8.5 frames per second, the upgraded camera has a higher performance buffer to deliver a 48 frame burst in JPEG and 22 frame burst in RAW. LCD monitor size increases from 2.0” to a 2.5”, and dual CF and SD memory card slots provide for separate RAW and JPEG recording. Colour Matrix and parameter settings are replaced with Canon’s new Picture Style – 6 pre-sets that simplify in-camera control over image optimisation and processing.

“The EOS-1D Mark II took photojournalism and sports photography by storm and was chosen by more than 70% of professional photographers at the 2004 Athens Olympics, ” reported Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Taking feedback from the professionals as their guide, Canon’s engineers have made a great camera even better.”

Exceptional image quality is assured with an APS-H size (28.7 x 19.1 mm) CMOS sensor and high performance DIGIC II processor. The EOS-1D Mark II N also features 45-point Auto Focus and a start-up time of 0.2 seconds. Its wide 100-1600 ISO speed range is expandable to L:50 and H:3200.

First choice of professional agencies

Launched in January 2004, the EOS-1D Mark II fast became Europe’s best selling professional D-SLR camera . It secured the major share of sports and photojournalism worldwide, with the world’s leading wire agencies such as Reuters, Getty Images and AFP choosing Canon professional products for their photographers. “One of the big pluses of working with Canon is the interaction we get as a ‘body’ of photographers,” explained Stephen Munday, Director of Operations – Editorial, Getty Images. “Canon consults with us about our wish list for new products. When they come to testing a new camera, most of the work has been done because they have listened to their clients – the photographers.”

New screen

For improved image review and menu readability, the EOS-1D Mark II N is fitted with a larger, brighter 2.5” 230K pixel poly-silicon TFT LCD monitor, giving photographers a significantly larger viewing area. The improved screen has twice the number of backlighting LEDs so that it retains brightness and visibility throughout a wide 170 angle of view, both vertically and horizontally. This makes it easy to view images when camera is mounted in a fixed position. With image playback, the magnified view can now be viewed straight away on any selected AF point , and magnification is possible during the quick review immediately after image capture.

Meeting photographers’ needs, listening to the market

The EOS-1D Mark II N incorporates a host of improvements to enhance performance, operation and speed. To prevent shooting disruption, new folders are now automatically created when image number 9999 is reached in the current folder. A new memory card selection short cut makes it fast and easy to switch between card slots when choosing recording location. A Low Level Format option executes secure and permanent deletion of SD card data and increases SD card write speeds.

When shooting RAW and JPEG simultaneously, images can now be recorded separately onto a different memory card (CF or SD). In-camera file names are now customisable: users can decide the first four characters of the filename and the camera will append the 4 digit image number ¬– a feature particularly useful for agencies and photo libraries dealing with memory cards from multiple photographers.

Ready to use images as standard

New Picture Style pre-sets simplify in-camera control over image quality. The camera’s factory default configuration delivers more immediately usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings. Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types – each one offering a different colour response. Within each easily selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation.

The pre-sets include:

• Standard – for crisp, vivid images that don’t require post-processing;
• Portrait – optimises colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones;
• Landscape – for punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree and building outlines);
• Neutral – ideal for post-processing;
• Faithful – adjusts colour to match the subject colour when shot under a colour temperature of 5200K;
• Monochrome – for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and green).

Additionally, 3 user defined entries allows the possibility to create additional variations on the in-camera styles or install additional custom Picture Style files. Additional custom Picture Style files may be downloaded from Canon’s web site.

Picture Style replaces internal image processing previously controlled by setting processing parameters and colour matrix. Picture Style is also supported by the supplied Digital Photo Professional and RAW Image Task software.

Exceptional image quality, total reliability

Exceptionally high quality images are assured due to the combination of Canon’s DIGIC II processor and 2nd generation CMOS sensor, which features an on-chip noise elimination circuit to reduce the creation of fixed pattern and random noise. A low-pass filter placed in front of the sensor reduces false colour and moiré effects, while the infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog.

The EOS-1D Mark II N has a shutter durability of 200,000 cycles, and a weather resistant magnesium-alloy casing with over 70 dust and moisture resistant seals protects the camera.

A new Auto option is available on the Noise reduction menu screen, which offers automatic detection and correction when necessary of noise levels in images with exposures of 1 second or longer.

Compatibility and accessories

The EOS-1D Mark II N is compatible with all Canon EF lenses and the entire EX series Speedlite flash range. Canon's E-TTL II flash system optimises flash exposures by linking distance information from the camera/lens system to the 21-zone evaluative or averaged metering readings from the pre-flash.

The camera’s focussing screens are interchangeable; an optional new “Super Precision Matte” Ec-S focussing screen enables easier manual focussing with fast lenses.

With the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1, photographers can work cable-free as images transfer automatically through a wireless LAN to a computer in seconds . Interfaces include video out (for display in both NTSC and PAL formats), IEEE1394 (Firewire) and USB. The camera is PictBridge compliant for PC-less direct printing to any brand of compatible photo printer.

The EOS-1D Mark II N supports the optional Data Verification Kit DVK-E2 v2.2, which verifies the originality of images taken with the camera.

New software

The EOS-1D Mark II N is bundled with the EOS Digital Solutions Disk v11, which includes an upgraded version of Canon’s RAW image processing software Digital Photo Professional (DPP). DPP v2.0 now supports RAW images shot on all EOS digital cameras from the EOS D30 forwards, and includes support for Picture Styles. Improvements and additions are aimed at improving functionality and workflow efficiency for professionals, and include: easy image selection with three levels of check marks; real-time adjustment of sharpness; improved image correction (Copy Stamp); enhanced image transfer function – single image transfer to PhotoShop is possible; extended colour space support, now including Apple RGB and ColorMatch RGB; and an enhanced CMYK simulation function.

Also provided is on the solution disk is ZoomBrowser EX (PC) and ImageBrowser (MAC) v5.5 for managing images, EOS Capture v1.5 for remote shooting, PhotoStitch v3.1, PhotoRecord v2.2 (PC), RAW ImageTask v2.2 and CameraWindow v 5.3. EOS-1D Mark II N is compatible with CANON iMAGE GATEWAY providing a 100 MB online photo album.

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N specifications

Pricing (body only)
USA	$ 3,999
Europe	€ 4,500
Image sensor
Type	28.7 x 19.1 mm CMOS
Effective Pixels	Approx. 8.2M
Total Pixels	Approx. 8.5M
Aspect Ratio	3:2
Low-Pass Filter	Built in/ Fixed
Colour Filter Type	Primary Colour
Image processor
Type	DIGIC II
Lens
Lens Mount	EF (excludes EF-S lenses)
Focal Length	1.3x Multiplication with EF lens fitted
Focusing
Type	TTL-AREA-SIR with a CMOS sensor
AF System/ Points	45 -point AF (Area AF)
AF working range	EV 0-18 (at 20°C & ISO 100)
AF Modes	• One Shot • AI Servo
AF Point Selection	• Automatic selection • Manual selection • Home position (switch to registered AF point)
Selected AF point display	Superimposed in viewfinder
Predictive AF	Yes
AF Lock	Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode.
AF Assist Beam	Emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlite
Manual Focus	Selected on lens
Exposure control
Metering modes	TTL full aperture metering with 21 zone SPC 1. Evaluative metering (linked to any AF point) 2. Partial metering (approx. 8.5% of viewfinder at centre) 3. Spot metering: Center spot metering (approx. 2.4% viewfinder at center) AF point-linked spot metering (approx. 2.4% of viewfinder) Multi/Spot metering (Max 8 spot metering entries) 4. Center weighted average metering
Metering Range	EV 0-20 (at 20°C with 50mm f1.4 lens ISO 100)
AE Lock	• Auto: Operates in 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved • Manual: By AE lock button in all metering modes
Exposure Compensation	+/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments (can be combined with AEB).
AEB	• +/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments. • 1/2-stop increments selectable with C.Fn-06-2. • Bracketing methods: 1 Shutter speed or aperture, 2 ISO speed
ISO Speed Equivalent	• 100-1600 (in 1/3-stop increments) • ISO can be expanded to L: 50 or H: 3200 (selected on shooting menu)
Shutter
Type	Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter
Speed	• 30 - 1/8000 sec. (1/3 stop increments) • Bulb • (Shutter speeds of 1/2 sec or more operate with noise reduction)
Shutter release	Soft-touch electromagnetic release
White balance
Type	Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
Settings	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten light • Fluorescent light • Flash • Custom • Colour Temperature Setting • Personal WB • (Total 10 Settings) • White balance compensation:     1. Blue/Amber +/-9     2. Magenta/ Green +/-9.
Personal White Balance	Up to 3 personal WB settings can be registered
WB Bracketing	• +/-3 stops in full stop increments. • Method:     1. Blue/Amber     2. Magenta/Green     3 x bracketed images per shutter release
Colour matrix
Type	2 types of colour space: * • sRGB • Adobe RGB
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal)	Approx. 100% (for JPEG Large images)
Magnification	0.72x (4)
Eyepoint	20mm
Dioptre Correction	-3 to +1 dpt
Focusing Screen	Interchangeable (9 types). Standard Focusing Screen Ec-CIII
Mirror	• Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 37:63 • no mirror cut-off with EF1200mm f5.6 or shorter
Viewfinder Information	• AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light) • Exposure information (shutter speed, aperture • manual exposure • metering range • ISO speed • exposure level • exposure warning) • Flash Information (flash ready, FP flash, FE lock, flash exposure level), JPEG format • number of remaining shots • CF card information • WB compensation.
Depth of field preview	Yes
Eyepiece shutter	Built-in
LCD monitor
Monitor	• 2.5" TFT * • approx. 230K pixels
Coverage	Approx. 100% (for JPEG images)
Brightness	Adjustable to one of five levels
Flash
Modes	• E-TTL II • Auto Flash • Metered Manual
HotShoe/ PC terminal	Yes/ Yes
X-sync	1/250sec
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/-3 EV in 1/3-stop increments with EX series Speedlites
Flash Exposure Bracketing	Yes
Flash Exposure Lock	Yes
Second Curtain Synchronisation	Yes
External Flash	• E-TTL with EX series Speedlites • wireless multi-flash support.
Shooting
Modes	• Program AE • Shutter priority AE • Aperture priority AE • Manual
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous L • Continuous H
Continuous Shooting	• Maximum approx. 8.3 fps • JPEG: up to 48 images (JPEG quality 8) • RAW: up to 22 images (2)
Recording pixels / compression
Image Size	• 3504x2336 (L)       (8.2 million pixels) • 3104x2072 (M1)    (6.4 million pixels) • 2544x1696 (M2)    (4.3 million pixels) • 1728x1152 (S)       (2.0 million pixels) • 3504x2336 (RAW)
Compression	• JPEG (1-10 settings, user selectable) • RAW (Canon RAW 2nd edition, .CR2 files)
File format
Still Image Format	• JPEG (Exif 2.21 [Exif Print] compliant) • Design rule for Camera File system (2.0) • Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording	Yes
Simultaneous multiple formats to SD & CF card	Yes *
Folders	Folder creation & selection is possible
File Numbering	1. Consecutive numbering 2. Auto reset 3. Manual reset
Processing Parameters	• 6 Preset 'Picture Styles' * • 3 User defined settings *
Sound Files	WAVE (monaural)
Direct print
Canon Printers	Canon Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
PictBridge	Yes
Other features
Custom Functions	21 Custom Functions with 69 settings *
Personal Functions	27
LCD Panel (EL) Illumination	Yes
Water/ Dust resistance	Yes
Sound Memo	Up to 30sec per image
Orientation Sensor	Yes
Histogram	• Brightness: Yes • RGB: Yes
Playback zoom	1.5x - 10x
Display Formats	1. Single image with information 2. Single image 3. 4 image index 4. 9 image index 5. Magnified view
Image Erase Protection	Erase protection of one image, all images in a folder, or all images in the memory card can be applied or cancelled at one time
Image Erase	• Single image • All
Self Timer	Approx. 2 or 10 sec.
Menu Categories	1. Recording Menu 2. Playback menu 3. Set-up menu 4. Custom/ Personal Functions Menu
Menu Languages	• English • German • French • Dutch • Danish • Finnish • Italian • Norwegian • Swedish • Spanish • Simplified Chinese • Japanese • Traditional Chinese * • Korean * • Russian *
Firmware Update	Update possible by the user.
Interface
Computer	• IEEE 1394 (Supplied with 4-pin dedicated cable) • USB 1.1(Mini-B, PTP)
Other	Video output (PAL/ NTSC)
Memory card
Type	• CompactFlash Type I/ II (Microdrive compatible) • SD memory
Supported operating system
PC	Windows 98 (including SE) / 2000 / Me / XP
Macintosh	• OS 9.0 – 9.2 • OS X v10.1 / v10.2
Software
Browsing & Printing	EOS Viewer Utility/ EOS Capture
Other	PhotoStitch
Drivers	• TWAIN (Windows 98 / 2000) • WIA (Windows Me)
Image Manipulation	Digital Photo Professional
Power source
Batteries	• 1x Ni-MH pack NP-E3 • 1x CR2025 for date & settings
Battery life	Approx. 1200 (at 20C) Approx. 800 (at 0C)
Battery check	Automatic
Power saving	Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins.
A/C Power Supply	Power adapter DCK-E1
Accessories
Lenses	All EF lenses (excludes EF-S lenses)
Flash	Canon Speedlites (220EX, 380EX, 420EX, 550EX, Macro-Ring-Lite, MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2)
Remote Controller/ Switch	Remote control with N3 type contact
Power Supply & Battery Chargers	• DC coupler kit DCK-E1 • Battery charger NC-E2
Physical specifications
Body Materials	Magnesium Alloy
Operating Environment	• 0-45 °C • 85% or lower humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD)	156 x 158 x 80 mm (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)
Weight (body only)	Approx. 1.2 kg (battery weight 335 g)

* New or changed compared to the EOS-1D Mark II

Additional images