Pro Photogs Take Note: Canon Announces EOS-1D X Mark II

Hot on the heels of Nikon's D5 announcement, Canon is updating its flagship SLR.

The new EOS-1D X Mark II looks and feels a lot similar its predecessor, the 1D X, just features a new paradigm sensor, an improved autofocus organization, and 4K video back up. It's a pro camera through and through—in features and cost.

The 1D Ten Mark 2 has the same torso design as previous entries in the series. It's a large, hefty photographic camera with an integrated vertical shooting grip, and more physical controls than you lot tin can milkshake a stick at. Photographers who experience at domicile with the 1D X won't accept to make whatever adjustments; Catechism kept the buttons, dials, and levers in the same place. That's a little surprising, as I expected to see the focus way select lever from the 7D Mark 2 show upwards here, simply a Canon representative stated that pro shooters the visitor polled preferred that no changes be made to the trunk.

But at that place are changes internally. The 1D Ten'south 18-megapixel resolution has been upped to xx megapixels, all the same total-frame. The sensor has a native ISO 100 to 51200 sensitivity, and can be pushed to ISO 409600 in expanded manner.

The 1D X Marking II is powered by dual Digic 6 image processors. Its shutter and 61-point autofocus system are able to runway and photo subjects at an outstanding 14 frames per second. That'due south the aforementioned number of focus points as the previous model, just they are spread out a fleck more than across the frame, each is selectable, and each can focus with an f/8 lens. The dedicated RGB Meter has a 360k pixel resolution, which allows the camera to focus using face detection when shooting using the optical viewfinder. If you shoot with the mirror locked up (in Live View mode) the shooting charge per unit improves to 16fps, albeit without the sophisticated predictive autofocus system at play.

In order to keep upward with the faster shooting rate, a fast retention card is required. The 1D X Marker II has dual card slots—one supports CFast and the other standard CompactFlash. CFast cards are the same size as CF media, but use a unlike data connection that supports faster transfers. Canon states that the 1D Ten Mark II tin can capture up to 170 Raw images when using CFast media, and an unlimited number of JPGs.

The 1D X Mark 2 is a ability-hungry photographic camera. Canon has adult a new battery to power information technology, and has managed to squeeze an extra 10 percentage of capacity into it when compared with the battery for the 1D Ten. To support photographers with multiple 1D Ten batteries, the new camera is backwards compatible with the older power packs, merely is limited to shooting at 12fps (14fps in Live View) when using an older battery. Y'all can also charge the older batteries using the 1D X Marker Two's charger, but you lot cannot charge the 1D X Mark II battery via the older 1D X charger.

The body is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. It'due south fully sealed against the elements, and features a full mag-alloy chassis. At that place are no changes to the optical viewfinder, which is one of the all-time you'll find in a digital SLR to brainstorm with. The data displayed in the viewfinder has been enhanced, however—now every focus betoken is illuminated in red when active.

From a video perspective, the 1D X Marking 2 has received a significant overhaul. The image sensor features Canon's Dual Pixel AF tech, which has proven to deliver smooth, quick focus in models like the 7D Mark Ii. The camera supports 4K capture at up to 60 frames per second and tin can captures 1080p footage at standard speeds, besides as 120fps.

The 1D X Marker II doesn't include in-camera Wi-Fi, but it does have a GPS. A standard Ethernet port is bachelor for wired transfer, useful when roofing alive events. If wireless transer is required, you lot can add the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8A accessory to the trunk—information technology supports the latest 802.11ac transfer protocol. Pricing for the WFT-E8A is non yet available.

The 1D 10 Mark 2 is prepare to proceed auction in April. It'southward priced at $5,999 as a trunk only, or at $6,299 with a arranged 64GB CFast card and USB card reader.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.