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Not to be outdone by Nikon’s high-end D5 DSLR, Canon has announced its own full frame DSLR with 4K video recording: the EOS-1D X Mark II.
As the successor to the EOS-1D X, the Mark II is not a camera for the budding photographer or even the intermediate shooter. Its $5,999 (body-only) and $6,299 (kit with 64GB CFast memory card and card reader) price tag should tell you that this camera’s aimed at professionals — folks who will pay top dollar for high performance.
Let’s talk video first. The 1D X Mark II is Canon’s first “affordable” DSLR with 4K video recording — yes, there was the 1D C, but that DSLR was launched at $15,000 — capable of recording in 4K at up to 60 frames per second (fps). The camera can also record in full HD at up to 120 fps for some really sweet slow-motion video.
With the “Frame Grab” feature,
users can pluck out 8.8-megapixel still JPEG pictures from the 4K video
users can pluck out 8.8-megapixel still JPEG pictures from the 4K video.
For still photos you get to work with 20.2-megapixels and Dual DIGIC 6+ image processors. Canon’s also improved the 61-point autofocus system. Standard ISO speed remains the same from 100 to 51200, but the camera’s expanded ISO now stretches from 50 all the way up to 409600 (1D X maxed out at ISO 204800) for even more incredible low-light performance.
For capturing fast action, the camera does 14 fps on continuous shooting with auto exposure and up to 16 fps in Live View mode.
On the backside, you’ll find a 3.2-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1.62 million dots. When I demoed the camera at CES, I was impressed by how sharp and bright the screen was. The touchscreen’s function, however, is limited. It can only be used to select autofocus points — which it does really quickly — and I couldn’t help but feel Canon missed an opportunity to truly make the camera modern with a touchscreen-ready UI that supports pinch-to-zoom and swipes.
The camera sports two memory card slots — one for CompactFlash and one for the much faster (and more expensive) CFast.
If you’ve been holding out for a top-of-the-line Canon DSLR with 4K video recording and have the moolah, you’ll be happy to know the 1D X Mark II comes out in April.
