Top-of-the-line Camera
At the core of the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is a brand new CMOS sensor that lights the way for a next level of professional image quality. The new sensor technology features significantly improved light collecting performance and the ability to effectively convert this light into digital signal. This delivers a high-sensitivity performance which reduces noise in both high and low ISO speeds. It also sports a high latitude, enabling you to easily adjust and pull out details in dark areas of your image.
Features
- 20.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
- Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
- 3.2" 1.62m-dot touchscreen LCD monitor
- DCI 4K video at 60 fps, 8.8 megapixel still grab
- 61-point high-density reticular AF II
- Native ISO 51200, expanded to ISO 409600
- 14 fps shooting, 16 fps in Live View
- Dual pixel CMOS AF & Movie Servo AF
- Built-In GPS, CFast & CF card slots
Canon's Flagship Model for Pro Photographers
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20.2 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
The EOS 1DX MK II features a 20.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with high latitude, and improved noise reduction at both high and low ISO speeds. This exceptional sensor is designed with gapless micro-lenses to ensure superior image quality under all shooting conditions. Gapless lens technology ensures that no light is lost between pixels as all the light falling on the sensor is optimally funnelled into the pixels below. This improves light gathering capacity and increases the signal-to-noise ratio.
The high 20.2 megapixel resolution in the 1DX Mark II allows for more cropping in post production while still retaining an exceptional level of detail. An increased exposure latitude allows more exposure leniency and images that were over or under exposed can easily be recovered without much degradation in quality.
High ISO Sensitivity for Maximum Shooting Flexibility
High ISO sensitivity opens up an entire new range of shooting opportunities. Speed is of the essence in any professional situation, and greater ISO flexibility is particularly useful when shooting in low-light and in near-dark locations. It has always been the big quest to offer higher ISO shooting ability while still maintaining optimal image quality, and in this regard the Canon 1DX Mark II certainly delivers. The new sensor features a native maximum ISO of 51200, which can be expanded further still to ISO 409600 for shooting in very dark situations. Flexibility continues with the ability to use shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec in Auto ISO mode.
In-Camera Lens Aberration Correction
With the launch of the previous model of the 1DX, peripheral brightness correction and chromatic aberration correction functions were introduced, while a further distortion correction function was included in the EOS 7D Mark II. The camera now includes these along with a new diffraction correction function that is applied to JPEG images during shooting. This function allows photographers to work at smaller apertures without any concerns over image quality degradation caused by diffraction.
In the past it was necessary to register lens correction data using EOS Utility software. Now, with the EOS 1DX Mark II, the peripheral brightness, chromatic aberration correction and distortion correction lens data is already stored on the camera, which removes the need to correct these lens artefacts in JPEGs during post production. The 1DX MK II also accepts data from any future lenses that have aberration correction data built-in, making it unnecessary to register data using the EOS Utility Software.
The new Digital Lens Optimiser function imitates lens performance, with a series of mathematical functions replicating each stage of the journey of light through the optical path. Using this information, the Digital Lens Optimiser can correct a range of typical optical aberrations and loss of resolution caused by a camera’s low pass filter, by applying an inverse function to each shot. This creates detailed, high-quality images providing photographers great flexibility of working with large or small apertures without worrying about aberrations and diffractions.
Fine Detail Picture Style
The ‘Fine Detail’ Picture Style, originally developed for the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R, has been included in the Canon 1DX Mark II to maximise the amount of detail captured by the camera’s 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor. This setting prioritises gradation of tones and emphasises fine detail. The Fine Detail Style feature is intended for images that will be used straight from the camera, without post-production.
Fine Detail Picture Style features three adjustable sharpening parameters, which give more control over the sharpening performed in-camera on JPEG files. The parameters are similar to those found in the Unsharp Mask filter in Adobe Photoshop and Canon’s DPP software.
The ‘Strength’ slider adjusts how much sharpening is applied to edges in the image. The ‘Fineness’ slider determines the size of the details that are sharpened, move it to the left to sharpen smaller details. The ‘Threshold’ slider specifies how much contrast there needs to be in a part of the picture before it is considered an edge and sharpened. At low settings even subtle edges can be sharpened.
AWB: Ambience Priority / White Priority
The Canon 1DX Mark II features a choice of Auto White Balance (AWB) settings that take a different approach to artificial light. ‘Ambience Priority’ aims to retain some of the warm colour tones from artificial light sources in order to preserve some of the mood of a scene, similar to the conventional AWB setting on other EOS cameras, while ‘White Priority’ eliminates most of the warmth from tungsten lighting and tries to give colour-neutral images where possible.
360k RGB+IR Metering Sensor
The Canon 1DX Mark II has an RGB+IR metering sensor with a high resolution of 360,000 effective pixels. Evaluative metering and evaluative flash metering are based on the information detected by this sensor. The sensor includes IR pixels that detect infrared (IR) light, which helps the EOS Scene Detection System analyse scenes and improve AF precision. The IR pixels, together with the RGB pixels are also used to detect brightness, colour and faces in a scene. In addition to taking distance information into account, the algorithm recognises a subject based on face detection and colour information.
The metering sensor is supported by a dedicated DIGIC 6 processor, which processes all the colour information and face detection data to recognise shooting subjects with outstanding accuracy. This significantly improves speed and accuracy with which exposure and focus adjustments can be made.
AI Servo AF III+
Canon’s AI servo AF III+ features an AF algorithm that, along with the EOS Intelligent Tracking and Recognition (EOS iTR) system, improves the tracking sensitivity in scenes where subject movements may occur suddenly, delivering precise and accurate focusing even in situations where focusing is difficult. This feature makes the Canon 1DX Mark II a great tool for high-action photography like sports and wildlife.
Since focus tracking scenarios can vastly differ from subject to subject, six AF Case study settings are available to help you choose the most appropriate option for your subject. These case studies provide different setups for the three different AF preference settings of Tracking Sensitivity, Acceleration/Deceleration tracking and AF Point Auto Switching. These parameters can be further customised based on personal preferences.
61-Point Expanded AF Area With 21 Cross-type AF Points at f/8
The Canon EOS 1DX Mark II features 61 focus point placed over an expanded area – an 8% more vertical expansion in the central area, and 24 percent more vertical expansion in the peripheral area – giving greater freedom when composing and tracking subject.
41 cross-type and 5 dual cross-type AF(1) points further extend the reach of focus capabilities. Cross type AF points provide greater autofocus precision over a wider area of the frame ensuring correct focus, important for fast moving subjects. All 61 AF and 41 cross-type AF points are individually selectable.
Wildlife and sports photographers often have to use super telephoto lenses with extenders to get closer to their subjects. This limits the AF usability because of the resulting smaller aperture of f/8. The f/8 AF compatibility on the Canon 1DX Mark II has been significantly improved with an increased maximum of 61 points, and with 21 cross-type points available at f/8 aperture. The Zone AF - which makes subject tracking easy - and EOS iTR AF provides powerful subject tracking support even with super telephoto and extender shooting.
The AF low-intensity limit has been improved to EV-3(2), significantly improving autofocus in extreme low lighting conditions.
(1) The number of focusing points, cross-type focusing points, and dual cross-type AF points vary depending on the lens used
(2) EV-3 at one central AF point focusing at f/2.8, 23°C/73°F and ISO 100
Flicker Detection
Under flickering light such as fluorescents, using a faster shutter speed may result in irregular exposures and colour variations due to the light’s flicker frequency. The camera detects the flicker frequency of light sources and adapts the shutter release timing to capture the image near peak brightness to reduce flicker effects. This function works with flicker frequencies of 100 Hz and 120 Hz and has an improved algorithm to prevent the incorrect detection of flickering light.
14 fps with Full AF/AE Tracking, 16 fps in Live View Shooting(1)
In the heat of the moment you will never get a second chance. Therefore having a tool capable of capturing decisive moments with accuracy and superb sharpness is of vital importance. The camera can achieve a quick maximum mirror drive speed of 14 fps with full AF/AE tracking.
The speed performance bar can be risen even higher by shooting in Live View Mode. This enables a maximum of 16 fps continuous capture when focus and exposure is fixed at the first shot. This feature is further enhanced by the possibility to still see the scene in Live View, as it is being captured.
(1) Maximum high-speed continuous shooting speed with fully charged LP-E19 battery pack, 1/1000 sec. or faster shutter speed, ISO 51,200 or lower and max. aperture (depending on the lens)
Rapid-Return Mirror Technology
To achieve 14 fps continuous shooting speed, and to deliver fast accurate Autofocus, it is vital that there is virtually zero mirror bounce and the mirrors return to their positions as quickly and as precisely as possible. To achieve, the camera features a two-motor system with separate high-torque motors to drive the mirror and shutter cocking. This isolates the two different stages from affecting each other and in effect delivers a high-speed performance. The mirror drive motor and shutter cocking motor have a floating support made of an elastic material which ensures minimal vibration when shooting and reduces operating noise.
Dual "DIGIC 6+" Processors
The 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor produces an extreme amount of data at high-speed shooting. To deal with this high-speed readout, the Canon 1Dx MK II employs a front-end processing circuit in tandem with the Dual “DIGIC 6+” processing system for high-speed signal processing. The incredible power of these processors enables increased latitude and dramatically improved noise reduction at both high and low ISO range. This processing system utilises advanced algorithms to render images with the natural skin tones Canon is known for while applying various lens corrections in real time to JPEG images even when shooting at 16 fps. The DIGIC 6+ is capable of capturing movies at DCI 4K up to 60 fps or in Full HD up to 120 fps.
CFast 2.0™ Media
The Canon 1DX MK II is the first DSLR camera to feature a CFast 2.0™ card slot as part of a dual memory card system. CFast 2.0™ is similar in size to CompactFlash but has recessed contacts making the card more robust and less likely to suffer issues related to bent pins. CFast 2.0™ currently has a write speed of up to 440 MB/s, which is three times faster than the fastest CompactFlash (150 MB/s) currently available. Such fast write speeds allows continuous RAW shooting burst of up to 170 full resolution images. Additionally, exFAT format support removes the 4 GB file size limitation (as with Compact Flash cards smaller that 128 GB), doing away with the necessity to merge files when recording movies.
High-Resolution Touch-Panel LCD Screen
The Canon EOS 1DX Mark II features a high resolution 3.2-inch Clear View LCD II monitor with an aspect ratio of 3:2. The capacitive touch screen allows for easy selection or switching of AF points and for magnified view when shooting in Live View or Movie shooting modes.
Magnesium Alloy Construction, Ultimate Weather Resistance
The Canon 1Dx Mark II is designed for continued professional use in harsh environments. It features a dust and drip-proof construction, using a total of 76 seals around buttons and body joints to help keep water and dust out of the internals. When combined with Canon L-series EF lenses and Speedlite 600EX-RT flashgun, the weather sealing is maintained with rubber gaskets around the joining points. Combined with the magnesium alloy body shell and internal structure, the camera is rigid and rugged and ready for heavy-duty professional use.
Built-In GPS
The Canon EOS 1Dx Mk II features built-in satellite connectivity for global positioning satellites (GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia) and Quasi-Zenith Satellite Michibiki (Japan)) for improved GPS accuracy and quick signal acquisition. The camera will add Geotag information (longitude, latitude, elevation and Coordinated Universal Time) to the image metadata. This is a useful extra for agencies and photographers seeking to automatically identify when and where images were taken.
The GPS system will also automatically set time on the camera’s clock based on data from the satellites while a logging function enables the user to track steps with the camera, which can be added to mapping systems. The GPS information can also be recorded in movies at the start of recording.
Crop & Send Functionality
A crop and resize function in playback further extends the capabilities of the EOS 1DX Mark II. These two features enables easy reworking of the composition after shooting, and easy resizing of images for immediate sharing. Photographers can crop images as they would like to see it published and quickly send them to editor’s and picture desks.
High-Speed Connectivity
The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 terminal enables high-speed image transfer to a computer. The 1DX Mark II also offers photographers the ability to transmit images over a network via a built-in Ethernet socket or via an optional WFT-E8 or WFT-E6 wireless transmitter.
