Canon EOS 1D MkIV

During years we have been worried because people seemed only interested in getting more Mega-Pixels (MP) out of the new photo cameras (or camera feature sheets). It has been repeated often enough that this single quantity is not a good measure of camera performance. It was, when cameras had so few pixels (less than 3-5 MP) that picture quality was linked first to number of pixels, then to other parameters.

Since 2009, we can consider that the race for more pixels is over. All camera manufacturers decided more or less to go easy on resolution: Over 12-15 MP, you can easily print an A4 or Letter-size print in top quality. Most photographers will never need more. So, why go over 20 MP?

Most manufacturers followed the lead of Olympus and Nikon trying to enlarge the pixels in order to ensure they collect more light and this leads to a higher level of sensitivity as measured by the ISO standard. This is good, because this means that our pictures are going to be better and better, not only uselessly finer and finer. Moreover, maximum ISO sensitivity becomes a relatively good proxy for image quality.

However, there is a slippery slope here. It has already been observed in some Point-and-Shoot compact photo cameras: A manufacturer may be tempted to push a maximum ISO level to ridiculously stratospheric altitudes. It’s not only because you P&S camera can do ISO 1600, that its pictures are still usable (noise cancellation algorithms may be so energetic that most of the details are blurred in the process).

Usually, in the D-SLR market we do not see this happening too often, but there is a risk. With Canon and Nikon leading the race with (pro) cameras over ISO 100,000, we already see figures that are amazingly high and images that are already quite bad (for a pro).

Don’t get me wrong! I’m quite happy to see that technology will soon be allowing us to shoot pictures in darkness without using a flash. But those two very serious camera manufacturers have obviously been racing to reach an ISO landmark. Some others, maybe less able, will reach it not only with barely usable photos, but with really unacceptable pictures. Then, it would become a fruitless race again, with figures creeping into the fact sheets and a real-life comparison will be ever more critical.

For me, the Canon EOS 1D Mk IV and Nikon D3s are useful because they produce absolutely great photos at ISO 32,800, not just because they can collect a barely informational document at ISO 102,400. Let’s be attentive with the present products from Canon and Nikon and the future cameras from all the photo camera manufacturers.

We should still be photographers and not just number-seeking blind consumers. I hope we are.

Thanks to DigitalRev.com, here is a preview presentation of the very handsome (but very expensive) Canon EOS 1D Mark IV:

If you are looking for the best SLR camera that your money can buy, you have certainly seen the announcement of the latest pro cameras from Nikon and Canon as very interesting. Both the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and the Nikon D3S pretend to be very fast cameras and to have actual record sensitivity (up to ISO 102400).

But, even if you are ready to switch from your current brand of photo camera, which one should you choose? There are a few comparisons that are starting to pop around the Internet and I want to list them to you:

• The Mansurovs: in Nikon D3s vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV highlights the 9 key differences between them and says “this camera [the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV] beats the Nikon D3s in almost every feature category.”
• PhotographyReview.com says “the choice comes down to image quality vs. speed.”
• Digital Rev says “Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S – Rivalling in Speed and Sensitivity” but they simply compare feature lists and draw no conclusion.

So, which one is yours now?

If you want to know everything about the technology included in the Canon 1D Mark IV, you can now download the White Paper published by Canon about this pro photo camera whose possibilities are clearly astonishing (as much as the price, by the way; But, who’s to prohibit dreaming a little?).

Canon White Paper for the EOS-1D Mark IV.

• US: $ 4,999, Europe: € 4,999, UK: £ 4,999
• Buy it from B&H (The Professional’s Source)
• Buy from Amazon.com
• Acheter sur Carrefour online

And now, Canon has revealed the User Manual for the Canon EOS 1D Mk IV. It is available for download.

• User manual (in English on the Canon Rumors web site)
• Other languages still to be found

It may help you decide whether you want to get it for Christmas.

A movie from the photographer Vincent Laforet with the all new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, professional digital SLR camera.

Just arrived, the new Canon EOS 1D MkIV.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

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There are a series of informations or rumors rolling in about a possible double announcement in October. Both Canon and Nikon would be readying themselves for major announcements targeting the highest end of the market. It would be a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Nikon D3s (or D3x).

But this is still to be confirmed.

Sources: Shots.fr, Nikon Rumors.

Update: The D3s is now confirmed for October 15th, by another source (via RP).

Since about two months, the web is ringing with a rumor about a possible new high-end pro Canon SLR camera soon to be disclosed: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Let’s summarize what we have and let’s evaluate the probability of each of the possible features.

• Launch date: Two possibilities, either September 29th, 2009 (Canon intends to make a spectacular presentation and some think that this could well be the upcoming Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, but it could also be a product from another Canon branch, like printers), or beginning of 2010, probably in March, just after the 2010 Winter Olympics which would be used as a pro test platform (I doubt it could be as precise as that right now, but the event sequence is credible and quite in line with Canon habits).
• Full Frame sensor: This is nearly certain, pros would not accept something else now, but it would call for a dual DIGIC V in order to sustain high-speed continuous shooting (I heard 10 frames/s).
• 100% viewfinder: Compulsory.
• 20-zone AF system (and many more non-selectable AF assist sensors).
• 3″ LCD VGA display (I heard OLED technology display, but the interest would still be very marginal).
• Compatibility with CompactFlash & SD memory cards (normal today)
• 1080p video (24i/s, 25i/s, 30i/s)

Obviously, we will have to wait a little more to know. But, we also have to remember that this will be a camera for a high-flying class of pro (or rich) photographers.

Canon Press Event September 29, 2009 : “biggest and most important launches in history“. From CR forum

We are told that this Fall is a great time for news on the SLR market. I let you judge by yourself:

• Canon: one announcement would be a definite possibility to replace the Canon 1D Mk III with a Canon 1D Mk IV and maybe also a Canon EOS 7D whose top cover and a detail are visible below (August 25?)
• Nikon: D700x (or D800) to offer a 24 MP full frame sensor.
• Sony: Alpha 500, Alpha 550, Alpha 850 (probably on August 28)
• Pentax: an entry-level SLR

We only have to wait (impatiently) for a few days (maybe a few hours) in order to know all about .

Canon 7D ? top

Canon EOS 7D detail

Canon EOS 1D Mk IV?

According to NorthLight Images, there are a few Canon EOS 1D MkIV in real test now. Their features would be:

• 1.3 crop
• Images ~16MP
• ISO 50-26500
• 8MP sRAW1 format providing images that seem to best 1D3 files in detail
• Very clean images at ISO 3200. 6400/12800 take further processing very well
• Slightly faster FPS than 1D3 in real life shooting
• AF greatly improved and very good in low light (actual comment was ‘Nikon fast’
• Liveview AF – not up to fast sports use, but very usable otherwise
• Video as with 5D2
• Screen as per 5D2
• Ergonomic improvements with grips – some buttons moved
• Feels faster and more responsive in nearly all aspects of real use.

Of course, this may be right or not. Canon may change the name and feature set, or not.

Canon is rather discreet in these times. But 2009 will not end without several important news. What can we expect? Two reflex cameras are about to arrive.

• A successor to the 50D, the Canon EOS 60D, probably at the end of the year (will it be ready for Christmas? I doubt it). Again, it will only be a small evolution of existing products but not the technological evolution that the Canon enthusiasts keep dreaming about. A new battery, 15+MP, 7 fps, 1080p video, SD memory cards (no longer CF).
• As always, Canon is preparing its best and most shocking news for higher up in the camera range. Even without rushing to another Full Frame camera, the successor to the 1D should arrive to bring ground-breaking progress in the field of light sensitivity (in private, it has been nick-named “The lord of darkness“). Still in APS-H size, it would have two Digic V processors, 16+MP, perfectly usable 6400 ISO (maybe more), 19-zone AF, video, LiveView, all-weather protection, 100% viewfinder, more than 3 inches of LCD screen (maybe 3.2″). Clearly, this will be the best technology Canon has, but the price will be definitely pro.

After that, a Canon EOS 2000D could arrive in Fall with a tilt-and-swivel LCD screen. But nothing more in terms of informations/specs.