The EOS-1D Mark II offers 4K video, 14fps continuous shooting and a new autofocus system.
There are very few differences between the 1D X and the 1D X M2 bodies. Among them are the upgrade to USB 3.0 and the addition of a headphone jack, as well as a more modern Live View control.
Working action photographers with a heavy investment in Canon equipment should get ready to start their engines -- search engines that is, as you begin the research to determine whether it's worth the cost of upgrading to the next generation of the company's EOS-1D pro camera. With Canon's first full-frame dual-pixel CMOS and the company's first 4K-video implementation outside its Cinema EOS models, the EOS-1D X Mark II looks like a combination of the four-year-old 1D X and the more recent 1D C, with some important enhancements. It retains the exact same body control design and layout, with some minor changes, but everything else has been updated.
When it ships in April, the camera will cost $6,000 for the body or $6,300 for a kit with a 64 GB CFast memory card and card reader. Those directly convert to roughly £4,160/£4,360 and AU$8,450/AU$8,880. From a price perspective, at least in the US that puts it in line with the last-generation Nikon D4s ($6,000, approx. £4,000, AU$7,000) rather than the newer D5 ($6500, £5,200, AU$9,000), though that $500 difference doesn't amount to much if you're planning on making the huge switch from one system to another.
It looks like there's enough here to entice speed-first 1D X users or folks with older Canon models who've been waiting to upgrade. But the move to the dual-pixel CMOS seems a little disappointing from a photo quality and sensitivity perspective, as is the limited bright-light autofocus sensitivity. Additionally, while of course the autofocus system works with any EF lens, the dual-pixel CMOS technology is optimized for smooth Live View/video autofocus with Canon's stepper-motor series of lenses (denoted STM). But there are stilll no pro-level -- fast, full-featured and weather sealed -- STM lenses, and there's only a single full-frame option, the 24-105mm f3.5-5.6. Plus, I wonder at the camera's inability to record UHD 4K, which is usually a useful addition; I bet it shows up in a firmware update down the line.
Canon EOS-1D X | Canon EOS-1D X Mark II | Nikon D5 | |
Sensor effective resolution | 18.1MP CMOS 14-bit | 20MP Dual-Pixel CMOS 14-bit | 20.8MP CMOS 14-bit |
Sensor size | 36 mm x 24mm | 36 mm x 24mm | 36 x 24mm |
Focal-length multiplier | 1.0x | 1.0x | 1.0x |
OLPF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sensitivity range | ISO 50 (exp)/100 - ISO 51200/203800 (exp) | ISO 50 (exp)/ISO 100 - ISO 51200/ISO 409600 (exp) | ISO 50 (exp)/ISO 100 - ISO 102,400/ISO 3,280,000 (exp) |
Burst shooting | 12fps unlimted JPEG/38 raw (14fps in Live View) | 14fps unlimited JPEG/170 raw (16fps in Live View) | 12fps 200 raw (14fps with exposure and focus fixed on the first frame, mirror locked) |
Viewfinder (mag/ effective mag) | Optical 100% coverage 0.76x/0.76x | Optical 100% coverage 0.76x/0.76x | Optical 100% coverage 0.72x/0.72x |
Hot Shoe | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus | 61-pt High Density Reticular AF 21 center diagonal to f5.6 5 center to f2.8 20 outer to f4 | 61-pt phase detection 21 cross-type at f5.6 20 cross-type at f4 and f5.6 20 horizontal at f5.6 5 dual cross-type at f2.8 and f5.6 61 to f8; 21 cross-type | 153-point 99 cross-type (15 cross-type to f8) Multi-CAM 20K |
AF sensitivity (at center point) | n/a | -3 - 18 EV | -4 - 20 EV |
Shutter speed | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync | 1/8,000 to 30 secs bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync (1/8,000 sec x-sync with FP shutter) |
Shutter durability | 400,000 cycles | 400,000 cycles | 400,000 cycles |
Metering | 100,000-pixel RGB with 252 zones | 360,000-pixel RGB+IR with 216 zones | 180,000-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering III |
Metering sensitivity | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | -3 - 20 EV |
Best video | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p, 25p, 24p; 720/60p, 50p | QuickTime MOV: Motion JPEG DCI 4K (4,096 x 2,160) 2160/60p @ 800Mbps, 30p, 25p, 24p; H.264 1080/120p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 4K UHD/30p, 25p, 24p |
Audio | mono; mic input | mono; mic input; headphone jack | stereo; mic input; headphone jack |
Manual aperture and shutter in video | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maximum best-quality recording time | 29m59s | n/a | 3 minutes |
Clean HDMI out | No | Yes (HD) | Yes |
IS | Optical | Optical | Optical |
LCD | 3.2 in/8.1 cm Fixed 1.04m dots | 3.2 in/8.1 cm Fixed limited-use touchscreen 1.62m dots | 3.2 in/8 cm Fixed touchscreen (playback only) 2.4 million dots |
Memory slots | 2 x CF (UDMA mode 7) | 1 x CF (UDMA mode 7), 1 x CFast (2.0) | 2 x XQD or 2 x CF |
Wireless connection | Optional (Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E6A) | Optional (Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8A or WFT-E6A) | Optional (via WT-6A or WT-5A adapter) |
Flash | No | No | No |
Wireless flash | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery life (CIPA rating) | 1,120 shots (2,450 mAh) | 1,210 (VF), 260 (LV) (2,700 mAh) | 3,780 shots (2,500 mAh) |
Size (WHD) | 6.2 x 6.4 x 3.3 in 158 x 164 x 83 mm | 6.2 x 6.6 x 3.3 in 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 6.3 x 6.3 x 3.7 in 160 x 159 x 92 mm |
Body operating weight | 54 oz (est.) 1,530 g (est.) | 54 oz (est.) 1,530 g (est.) | 50 oz (est.) 1,405 g (est., with XQD cards); 1,415 g (est., with CF cards) |
Mfr. price (body only) | $4,600 £4,200 (est.) AU$7,000 | $6,000 | $6500 £5,200 AU$9,000 |
Release date | March 2012 | April 2016 | March 2016 |