Canon has officially announced the highly anticipated successor in the Canon 1D line – not just for the high resolution 1Ds Mark III or the fast sports shooting 1D Mark IV, but both. Introducing the Canon 1D X.
The 1D series has long featured a 1.3x crop, APS-H sensor and exceptional burst rates in contrast to the slower, full-frame, high resolution 1Ds. Based on the huge success of the Nikon D3 and D3s, it seems that Canon has responded with a full-frame, 18mp camera with some rather stunning specs.
Among the most interesting is the fact that Canon is positioning the new 18mp camera as a replacement to both current 1Ds and 1D cameras.
Here are my thoughts on Canon’s latest release, a professional grade DSLR that may not only signal the end of the megapixel wars, but boast the best image quality we’ve seen yet in a full-frame DSLR.
Canon EOS-1D X Specifications
Based on these specs, what I see is a low light photography beast, plain and simple. The Canon 1Dx is a camera directly attacks the low light supremacy that Nikon has held since the introduction of the Nikon D3 back in 2007. And it’s going to dominate.
Quality Over Quantity
In terms of resolution, Canon has bumped up the to 18 from the 16mp 1D Mark IV, but takes a step back from the 21mp sensor of the Canon 1Ds Mark III. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Canon scale back resolution – their G series went from 15mp in the G10 to 10mp in the G11, which continued in the G12.
While the difference between 18 and 21mp isn’t huge, it’s a big psychological step, but also one in the right direction. It’s a beautiful thing to see engineering trump marketing for once.
I think the true success of this camera will be whether or not we see a version of this sensor in the Canon 5D Mark III. Now that would be a coup.
18mp Sweet Spot
Canon is betting that 18mp will be the sweet spot between allowing for ample resolution, speed, and image quality. For low light photography, the new full-frame promises what I suspect is the best high ISO performance we’ve seen yet.
I think that the proof of this high ISO performance is in the native ISO range of 100 to ISO 51,200. Based on these specs, I think it’s safe to say that the new 1D X will outperform the D3s by at least a stop. This is simply progress.
As a music photographer who is regularly shooting above ISO 1600 for concert photography, the ISO range of the Canon 1D X has be buzzing. This is one Canon DSLR that I will have to try out for myself.
Dedicated AF Processor
The note of a dedicated DIGIC processor for AE and AF functions seems to indicate Canon’s dedication to nailing the AF issues that have plagued their cameras, from the infamous Canon 1D Mark III’s unreliable AF to the weak, underpowered AF of the otherwise stellar Canon 5D Mark II.
Speed
As a successor to the 1D Mark IV, it’s no surprise that the 1D X looks like a very fast camera, shooting up to 12fps in RAW and 14fps in JPG. The one interesting note here is that these continuous speeds are only achieved when the batter is at 50% capacity or greater.
With a dedicated AF processor, the response of the camera should also be quite quick as well. I would love to see Canon nail the AF on the new 1D X for some true competition to Nikon’s D3 series.
Final Thoughts
Canon has long maintained that the 1.3x APS-H sensor has provided a sweetspot between image quality and reach, so it’s an interesting move to move to a full-frame sensor, though not unexpected. But more than the sensor format, I love the fact that Canon has kept resolution modest.
The Canon 1D X might represent a huge slowdown, if not an end, to the megapixel race. While it does continue trend of increased resolution with each model, the incremental increase seems like a huge coup.
With the Nikon D3, D3s and D700, Nikon demonstrated that 12mp sensor that delivered superior image quality was more valuable than simply piling on the resolution. I think that with the Canon 1D X, we’re going to see a camera that builds on this model to become the best low-light DSLR we’ve seen yet.
The only gotcha? The anticipated $6,800 pricetag.
Official Press Release
You can read the complete and official press release for the Canon 1D X on Canon’s website.
So, what do you think about this release? Are you going to be pre-ordering?
Personally, this might be the one Canon DSLR that has me tempted enough to want to try it out.
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This entry was posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 11:01 pm and is filed under News and Info and tagged with canon 1D x, canon 1d x announcement, canon 1d x press release, canon 1dx. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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That’s exactly what I was thinking when I saw the megapixel count. I shoot with a 60D which has, for all intents and purposes, the same 18.1mp but on a sensor that has 2.6x less surface area. That’s pretty impressive, especially when I usually don’t go beyond ISO 1600 when shooting low light. I’d hazard a guess that the approximate noise latitude is about two stops better which would trump even the 5D Mark II in comparison to the 600D/60D/7D.
I’m impressed that Canon has taken this route for once (assuming this all turns out to be true).
Hey Nick,
Thanks for the comment, nice to hear from you. Very excited to see what kind of performance the next crop of DSLRs – Canon and Nikon – deliver.
As a Nikon shooter, I can say that pretty much everyone is very interested in what Canon brings out. It’s only going to push progress for everyone.
I shoot a couple of 1Ds III’s be more than happy with lower pixel count for just a slight improvement in image quality mostly at high iso
Agreed. And the “drop” from 21mp to 18mp isn’t a huge difference, at least not when considering the big increase in overall image quality that I suspect we’ll see from the Canon 1D X.
An End To The Megapixel War?
Not until Nikon announce his 36MP D800 (next week ?!?)…
As much as I would like a high resolution camera for some work (portraits, travel, commercial work), for photojournalism type work like this, 36mp would really be overkill at this point.
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War? http://t.co/IF9JWP5J @toddowyoung
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War? http://t.co/hpRov2so via @zite
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War? http://t.co/wUBiMxba via @zite
Nice little piece by Mr @toddowyoung about the new Canon. End of the Megapixel war? http://t.co/SI2WyBM2
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War?: http://t.co/sMBr5YnA
Dear Santa….. http://t.co/aSLgJdXE
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
18mp definitely seems to be a perfect size. My 5DMKII is sitting at 21mp, and I find it to be a bit excessive, especially when it comes to file size. I hope 18mp or less is going to be the norm from here on out.
Looking forward to seeing how your photos look when you test out the 1DX, Todd!
Hey Nick,
Thanks for the comment. I suspect that we’ll see very good things being done in the 18-21mp range very soon, and of course including the Canon 1D X.
I’m sure we’ll see 25+mp sensors in DSLRs very soon, but it seems as though camera manufacturers are also paying attention to the high ISO game as well.
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
I agree on all points about this being a sweet spot and an amazing performer both in speed and ISO performance. That price tag will likely keep it out of my hands though. As an avid amateur and sometimes pro, it’s hard to justify the high end pro body. I’d love to have this as my workhorse camera though and it makes me consider lining up the projects to get it.
I’m most curious to see what the successors to the 5D/7D line will show for improvements.
Hey Jeremy,
Thanks for the comment, nice to hear from you here. I think you’re right – the trickle-down of this technology is going to be the interesting part. We’ve seen this before in the 1Ds Mark III > Canon 5D Mark II and the Nikon D3 < Nikon D700.
I think that even for “professional” photographers, $7k is a lot to swallow, and for music photographers in particular. If I’m faced with the reality of buying two D700/5Dmk2 level cameras or one D3s/1Dx, I’ll choose the two camera bodies.
I agree Todd. I would prefer two d700‘s to one D3/D3s/1DX.. I do like to rent high end bodies every now and then..
Great summary. Kudo’s to Canon for some great specs. Carbon fiber blades are interesting. I’ve never tracked Canon announcements before but a 6 month lead time seems a tad much. I was curious as to the weight but the official Canon product description lists weight as TBA.
Also, not tracking Canon, one spec that struck me was that out of the 61 AF points, “One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8,
10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and
15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6.”
Does Canon typically call out cross-type AF points like that?
Hey Doug,
I do believe that manufacturers have traditionally called out the f/2.8 cross-type sensors, but the less sensitive cross-type sensors are usually noted as a detail elsewhere. I think the norm is to only call out the f/2.8 cross-type sensors.
Announcements 3 months ahead of release aren’t that uncommon. I recall the August announcement of the Nikon D3 and release at the end of 2007.
Thanks for the comment.
Wouldn't mind doing a bit of night streetphotography with this badboy at 204,800 ISO. Shame it's the size of a tank. http://t.co/5KePfGAj
Highly doubt it. RT @toddowyoung Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/sjFzwLES
I hope so – sounds AMAZING! RT @toddowyoung: Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/cc3HS5eT #photography
http://t.co/O3la0P0e Gimme Gimme Gimme.
Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
*weeps* http://t.co/JckQ88n6
@toddowyoung: Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/yX3M3bVm I want this! #SummitUp
Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Updated thoughts on the Canon 1D X, The 18mp Sweet Spot: http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Canon 1d =o
http://t.co/E0FoNUGo
Canon 1 D ! ! ! http://t.co/gAMxAKTo
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War?: http://t.co/ywFMMFVQ
@toddowyoung No biggie, but there may be a small typo there— “when the batter is at 50% capacity or greater.”
(re: http://t.co/c6XUh9T3)
I can’t wait for this one Todd. I’ve been waiting a while to see what Canon has been cooking up and what they’ve come up with is pretty close to my ideal camera.
I’m not fussed about the high frame rates or the video but full frame high ISO performance, the new improved AF look to be amazing and the multi-exposure may offer some interesting creative possibilities.
It’s a lot of money for a camera but after using the 1D series for several years I know you also get a lot of camera too!
I’m certain this will be my primary camera within 12 months.
I would agree – this is very close to a perfect DSLR for my needs at this point. I have no problem saying that even as a Nikon shooter. If I shot Canon, I’d be ecstatic.
I think things will get even more interesting when we see this sensor in the Canon 5Dmk3.
Interesting to read your take on this, Todd. I like your angle that at least for the high-end segment, the MP war has been reigned in, and thank goodness for that.
All of my discussion has been in the nature photography community, particularly bird photographers, who are distraught at the lack of AF at f8, which makes some of the bigger lenses w/TCs non-starters for them.
I too am looking forward to the high ISOs that you guys have been enjoying for years. My Mark IV is pretty good in that department but it’s no D3s!
I agree that if Canon puts this sensor in a lower price 5DIII, that would be very cool! Who knows though — they make that a 40 MP beast to lure all of the medium format studio/commercial folks!
You’re not going to switch to Canon, are you? :-)
Cheers,
Greg Basco
Canon 1D X – An End To The Megapixel War?: http://t.co/GNQSEZal
Dear Todd Owyoung.
You’re an idiot. Ok, or maybe just a photographer that doesn’t shoot beauty.
Because if you were, you’d knew that 21MP from mark III DS is just enough for studio work. Especially skin retouching work.
Those 18.1MP is just a disaster.
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
“The only gotcha” is a serious gotcha…
I think it is safe to say that full frame 35mm format will stay within this range of mega pixels (18-21)
Nice review!
Is the Canon 1D X an end to the megapixel war? http://t.co/xqGmrXKs
why would you possibly want a smaller file size? the only argument i can see is speed – fair enough. otherwise, why would you want to limit your final output like that?
the 35mm format will definitely go beyond 18-21 mp. so many are craving high resolution without having to use MF backs. the 35mm format is where everyone wants it all – speed and resolution. we’ve all accepted that MF backs are going to be slow.
Thank you for some other great article. The place else may anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.
[...] that time when I said about the megapixel war being over with the release of the Nikon D4 and Canon 1D X? Well forget it. Nikon has just officially [...]
After reading the specs on the D4 and then the 1DX, I seriously wanted 1Dx and had no interest in the D4. It seemed like Canon put most everything that was on my wish list for a next gen pro body into the 1DX. Just enough extra mp’s without going bonko (aka D800), keeping two CF card slots, etc, etc, etc. I love everything I have read about this camera. except the price tag. talk about a bucket of cold water!
That being said, I think I will shoot my D3‘s and D3S until they fall apart. In fact, I will be budgeting to buy a nice, clean, well loved, D3S that someone is kicking to the curb for a D4. The D3S is an amazing camera.
I’ve with a lot of Nikon digital bodies… D70s, D200, D2Xs and then of course it was a nice kit set up of D700 and D3‘s. When I added the D3S, the D700 was sold off. It’s a solid camera for the money, BUT, I think that when you have to push the cameras to their limits and then some, that;s where the D3S blows the D700 out of the water. And that’s as it should be though since its a far more expensive camera… in my humble and limited opinion :-)
My only other complaint about what’s happening in the dslr arena for pro’s is the video thing. I just don’t want a body with video. For me, it’s useless.. Put the attention on creating a camera that will focus in .. mud!!!! Make it super durable, easier to clean, the best components and abilities. I don’t want a hybrid. I shot stills. PERIOD. When they build a camera that can focus perfectly in any light from any point on the focus grid, then go ahead and play with video. until then it just drives me nutty. Now, I know a lot of folks have seriously embraced the video thing… but then, it usually means dedicating that body to the video, right?
anyway, would be nice to see Nikon build another pro body with specs more like the 1DX. It looks to be a truly brilliant piece of hardware. Nice work Canon!
Now I’m going to go hug my D3S!
Todd – so here we are a year later. In the article above you state “This is one Canon DSLR that I will have to try out for myself.” So…did you get a chance to use it yet? If so, your thoughts?
I’m a 5D3 user, and deciding on a second/new body.