Canon EOS-1D Mark II Review
The new Canon EOS-1D Mark II is the successor to the Canon
EOS-1D which was announced and introduced at the end of 2001. This new
generation of digital SLR almost doubles resolution with its new eight
megapixel CMOS sensor, doubles the size of the continuous shooting buffer.
Despite the advertised 8.5 fps the EOS-1D Mark II actually shoots at a
maximum of 8.3 fps (the same as the EOS-1D).
The EOS-1D Mark II is also obviously Canon's answer to
Nikon's fast shooting D2H announced last year, it does appear however
as though Canon are raising the bar with resolution and one would hope
we can expect similar low noise performance from its CMOS sensor as we
have seen from the same technology in the EOS 10D.
Putting the additional resolution and buffer size to one
side there are also a variety of improvements and changes compared to
the EOS-1D, not least of which a new version of Canon's DIGIC image processor,
an extension of selectable ISO sensitivity, support for Secure Digital
as well as Compact Flash and the addition of a USB port (although only
USB 1.1). The SD slot and USB connector are interesting additions as they
may hint towards potential future add-ons for this camera such as a wireless
kit (pure speculation on my part at this stage).
Canon EOS-1D Mark II vs. EOS-1D (primary specification
differences)
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Canon EOS-1D Mark II
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Canon EOS-1D
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| Sensor |
28.7 x 19.1 mm CMOS
8.2 million effective pixels |
28.7 x 19.1 mm CCD
4.2 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes |
3504 x 2336, 3104 x 2072, 2544
x 1696, 1728 x 1152 |
2464 x 1648, 1232 x 824 |
| Processor |
DIGIC II |
DIGIC |
| White balance |
Image sensor only |
Hybrid external & image sensor |
| Shooting modes |
(P, M, Tv, Av) |
(P, M, Tv, DEP, Av) |
| Sensitivity |
ISO 100 - 1600
Boost: Low: 50, High: 3200 |
ISO 200 - 1600
Boost: Low: 100, High: 3200 |
| Color matrix |
4 sRGB, Adobe RGB, 2 user configurable |
4 sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Contrast |
Tone curve, 5 level contrast
control |
Tone curve |
| Sharpness |
Level |
Level, Pattern |
| Continuous |
Max. approx. 8.3 fps |
Max. approx. 8.3 fps |
| Buffer size |
JPEG: 40 frames
RAW: 20 frames |
JPEG: 21 frames
RAW: 16 frames |
| Max shutter |
1/8000 sec |
1/16000 sec |
| Flash X-Sync |
1/250 sec |
1/500 sec |
| Flash |
E-TTL II |
E-TTL |
| Storage |
Compact Flash
Secure Digital
(Dual writing capable) |
Compact Flash |
| FAT32 support |
Yes |
No |
| Digital connection |
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
USB 1.1 (enables PictBridge) |
IEEE 1394 (FireWire) |
| LCD monitor |
2.0" 230,000 pixels |
2.0" 120,000 pixels |
| Orientation sensor |
Yes |
No |
| Playback zoom |
Up to 10x |
No |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based
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This article is Copyright 2004
Phil Askey and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in
any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images)
please contact: Phil Askey
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