October 20th 2009 - Canon announced today the release of the new Canon EOS 1D MkIV DSLR. The major features are:
I'm sure Canon remember the initial (and continuing) problems with the AI servo tracking AF drive on the EOS 1D MkIII under difficult conditions and so they have likely gone to great lengths to make sure the AF system on the 1D MkIV works well! They have introduced a new AI Servo II system which they describe as follows:
Sounds good, but we'll have to wait and see what the performance is in real world testing. Canon have a more detailed description of the new AF system on their website: http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3107.
The full specifications for the Canon EOS 1D MkIV can be found here on the EOS 1D MkIV specs page.
Here's the Canon USA Press Release on the EOS 1D MkIV:
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 20, 2009 Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the next evolution in the EOS 1D series of cameras: the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon's most rugged and durable professional camera body.
The crowning achievement of Canon's 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system
that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points
capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames
per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly
redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera
sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs. Whether
shooting for the six o'clock news or the front page, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR is the
quintessential camera to freeze fast-moving action with high-speed stills or capture
stunning HD video with dynamic color and image quality. To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark
IV Digital SLR camera, Canon is also announcing a new accessory, the WFT-E2 II A wireless
file transmitter providing photographers with a wide range of professional digital
connectivity options.
"Canon works hard to be the imaging leader in all our business endeavors. This
goal has fueled our innovation and R&D efforts to engineer the most advanced autofocus
system Canon has ever produced. We are proud to announce the camera that will deliver the
ultimate in imaging quality to professionals working in all areas of multimedia imaging,
whether it's action photography, photojournalism or HD video and cinematography,"
stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group,
Canon U.S.A.
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera will intrigue professional photographers in virtually
every category from photojournalism and sports through nature, wedding, portrait and
fashion to commercial, industrial and law enforcement. What makes the EOS-1D Mark IV
camera different from its predecessors, in addition to numerous focusing system and image
quality improvements, is its exceptional Full HD video capture capability. With this new
level of functionality, the 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is destined to appeal not only to
professional still photographers but also to a diverse market of professional
videographers and filmmakers who are looking for exceptional Full HD video quality,
amazing low-light performance, outstanding portability and a level of durability unheard
of in most HD video cameras in this price range.
New 45-Point Autofocus System
The new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera features Canon's most advanced Autofocus system
to date. It is equipped with a newly developed 45-point AF sensor featuring 39
high-precision cross-type AF points, and an all new AI Servo II AF mode that gives still
photographers the power and performance to track and focus a fast-moving subject at speeds
up to 10 frames per second. With more than twice as many cross-type focusing points as the
EOS-1D Mark III and a new AF sensor construction that improves performance in low light
and with low contrast subjects, the EOS-1D Mark IV has greater subject detection
capabilities than any previous EOS model. To complete the range of AF improvements, Canon
has developed a new AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm that significantly
improves responsiveness and stability by making better decisions on focus tracking in a
variety of shooting conditions.
Amazing High ISO Performance
Wedding and event photographers shooting in low light without the benefit of a flash can
take advantage of Canon's widest ISO range and highest performance ever. The EOS-1D Mark
IV camera's ISO speed settings range from 100 up to 12,800 in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments
with ISO Expansion settings of L: 50 for bright light or H1: 25,600, H2: 51,200, and H3:
102,400 for even the most dimly lit situations. Photographers and documentary filmmakers
working in available light will be impressed by the low-noise image quality of the 1D Mark
IV, capturing amazing still images and video footage even at speed settings as high as ISO
12,800. High ISO, low light still images are further enhanced by Canon's adjustable High
ISO Noise Reduction feature, now a default setting in the camera.
The EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS HD Video Powerhouse
Over the past year, Canon's EOS HD Video technology has changed the way users capture
1080p HD video and opened new doors for multimedia journalists and Hollywood
cinematographers alike with full manual exposure control, selectable frame rates, and
interchangeable lenses on some of the largest and most sensitive image sensors on the
market. Canon continues this innovation trend with the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR with
Full HD capture and full manual exposure control, plus selectable frame rates on an
all-new APS-H-sized image sensor that's similar in size to a Super 35mm motion picture
film frame. The large sensor allows filmmakers to achieve shallow depth-of-field just as
cinematographers have traditionally done using much higher-cost motion picture equipment.
The more than 50 Canon EF lenses compatible with the EOS-1D Mark IV give videographers
incredible creative options, including an impressive selection of large-aperture
professional L-series primes as well as zoom lenses, macro, Tilt-Shift and Fisheye optics.
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows for three video recording resolutions - 1080p Full HD and
720p HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The
camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p,
or 30p (29.97); and 720p HD or SD video recording at either 50p or 60p (59.94). SD video
can be recorded in either NTSC or PAL standards. Sound is recorded either through the
internal monaural microphone or via optional external microphones connected to the stereo
microphone input. The camera also provides an in-camera video editing function allowing
users to remove the start or ending of a video clip directly in the camera to eliminate
unwanted footage and speed up post-production.
Image Quality and Performance
The heart of the EOS-1D Mark IV camera's outstanding image quality is a newly developed
16.1-Megapixel CMOS sensor featuring Canon's latest and most advanced proprietary
technologies. These technologies include improved photodiode construction to enhance
dynamic range and gapless microlenses that are positioned closer to the photodiodes for
improved light gathering efficiency. The transmissive quality of the color filter array
has been enhanced to improve sensitivity. Canon has also upgraded the sensor circuitry to
improve noise reduction before the image data is exported from the CMOS sensor to the rest
of the image processing chain.
With 60 percent more pixels than the EOS-1D Mark III, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR
employs Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors with approximately six times the processing power of
DIGIC III for full 14-bit A/D conversion at 10 fps. High-speed continuous shooting up to
121 Large JPEGs is possible using a UDMA CF card. This camera also features three RAW
shooting modes for versatility with Full RAW (approx. 16 million pixels), M-RAW (approx.
nine million pixels), and S-RAW (approx. four million pixels). Three additional JPEG
recording formats (M1, M2 and Small) are also available.
The 14-bit per channel conversion facilitated by the dual DIGIC 4 Processors provides
smoother tonalities in final images capturing all 16,384 distinct tones in each channel
(red, green and blue) at the full 10 fps frame rate. RAW images shot on the new Canon
EOS-1D Mark IV use the entire 14-bit space when converted to 16-bit TIFF files in Canon
Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, which is supplied with the camera at no extra
charge. The 14-bit A/D conversion is also the foundation for Canon's Highlight Tone
Priority feature that takes maximum advantage of the camera's extensive dynamic range to
preserve detail in highlight areas of the image. Canon's new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR
also features an improved white balance algorithm making colors more accurate when
shooting under low color temperature light sources such as household tungsten lamps.
The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR features Canon's Peripheral Illumination Correction
function which corrects darkening that can occur in the corners of images with most lenses
when used at their largest apertures. When activated, it is automatically applied to JPEG
images and video clips as they are shot. For RAW images, it can be applied in DPP
software.
Other new features include a large three-inch solid structure Clear View II LCD screen
with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution and a wide 160-degree viewing angle for enhanced clarity
and more precise color when reviewing images and shooting video. The new in-camera
copyright information feature helps professionals secure control over images by setting
copyright data directly into the camera and appending that information to each image file
in the Exif metadata. Additional features include a fluorine coating on the Low Pass
Filter to further repel dust and enhance the EOS Integrated Cleaning System.
Minimize Post-Production with Enhanced Canon Auto Lighting Optimizer
Action photography truly is all about speed, capturing a fast subject with fast focusing
and fast frame rates. However, all this speed might be wasted if it is slowed down by
lengthy post-production procedures to adjust image quality. The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR
helps reduce post-production work with a powerful new Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO)
system. When enabled, Canon's ALO automatically adjusts the image for optimal brightness
and contrast on the fly during in-camera image processing, reducing clipped highlights
while keeping shadowed areas as clear and detailed as they actually appear. By optimizing
brightness and contrast in-camera, Canon's ALO system significantly reduces the need for
post-production image optimization, and gives photographers image quality they can take
directly to press. Demanding professional photographers who tested ALO clearly stated that
this one feature will reduce their post-production image optimization process by more than
75 percent. Canon's ALO works with both RAWi and JPEG images as well as video
recording.
Rugged Reliability
Canon has taken every measure to ensure that the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera has the
highest degree of weather resistance in the EOS line. The 1D Mark IV camera incorporates a
wide range of design features that enhance its durability and reliability for professional
assignments. For example, the 1D Mark IV's body, chassis and lens mount are completely
weather-resistant and 76 gaskets and seals surround all buttons and seams. The body covers
and internal chassis, including the mirror box, are constructed with magnesium-alloy, one
of the strongest and rigid metals available for its weight. For added strength, the lens
mount is constructed with stainless steel. In fact, when used with Canon's Speedlite 580EX
II and/or most current L-series lenses, the entire camera system remains fully weather
resistant, so professionals can concentrate on getting the shot instead of worrying about
protecting their gear.
New Wireless Connectivity
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E2 II A* wireless file
transmitter exclusively for the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The WFT-E2 II A
wireless transmitter is an extremely small and versatile device that offers professional
photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including IEEE802.11a/b/g and
Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. In addition to adding the ability to
connect to wireless networks over 802.11a, the new WFT-E2 II A adds a wealth of new
professional features to the photographer's tool kit. The new Camera Linking feature
allows a single photographer to simultaneously fire up to 10 cameras remotely; and the
updated WFT Server mode lets you remotely use Live View, control settings, and fire the
EOS-1D Mark IV over the internet from anywhere in the world using a standard Web browser
or many Web-enabled smart phones. Additionally, geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth,
using compatible GPS devices to append coordinate data to the images.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers
in late December, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail
price of $4,999.00ii. Final pricing and availability for the Canon WFT-E2 II A
wireless file transmitter will be available later this year.
The following AF features have been improved with AI Servo II:
Stable lens drive: In normal operation, the AI Servo algorithm makes calculations, and based on these results, instructs the lens to change focus position. Now, if the algorithm gets two results one after the other that are very different - for example, the subject changed direction rapidly and was not where the system expected it to be - this calculation is ignored and the system waits to instruct the lens until two results match. This means that errors generated no longer cause the lens to jump unexpectedly out of focus. Secure focus tracking of a subject: If an obstacle is detected or if the AF point is not kept over the subject, tracking continues based on the last known trajectory result immediately before the interruption.
Moderate lens drive: If there is a radical change in focus distance, the lens is not driven straight to that value. It is slowly taken there based on past prediction results. This means that if a photographer drifts off the subject to the background for an extended period of time, the lens will not snap focus straight to the background. This in turn means that if the photographer gets the AF point back onto the subject that the lens is able to achieve sharp focus much more quickly.
Predictive control with quick response: The system is now able to achieve predictive focus immediately as the subject starts moving and there is no delay before it can start tracking.