EOS-1D Mark II

Its new 8.2 million pixel CMOS sensor, faster DIGIC™ II imaging engine and ability to capture brilliant, eight-megapixel JPEG images at 8.5 fps in continuous bursts of up to 40 frames and RAW images in continuous bursts of up to 20 frames — thanks in large part to new Canon technology's innovative use of DDR SDRAM — make the EOS-1D Mark II the world's fastest pro-digital SLR camera. Building on the success of the 4.1 megapixel EOS-1D with its 8 fps, 21 frame maximum JPEG (or 16 frame RAW) burst capability, Canon doubled the resolution of the imaging sensor, doubled the size of the high speed buffer memory and reevaluated, redesigned and in some cases, actually reinvented the technology that makes the new EOS-1D Mark II camera the most reliable, responsive, and remarkable professional digital SLR on the market. Key among those speed-increasing innovations is Canon's first use of dual 32-bit RISC CPUs to operate the camera's autofocus separately with one dedicated to detecting focus while the second controls the lens drive.

Able to stand up to real world conditions in the field, on the sidelines, or in the studio, the Mark II camera's exterior and chassis are constructed of a rugged yet lightweight and weather-resistant magnesium alloy. Its shutter is durability-tested to 200,000 exposures (50,000 more than on the EOS-1D), the body is highly weather-resistant with more than 70 gaskets and seals, and the camera's lens mount is made of stainless steel (and is fully compatible with all Canon EF, TS-E and MP-E lenses).

New and Improved At the heart of the advancements provided by the EOS-1D Mark II camera is its extra-large, high-resolution, Canon-designed and produced 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor. Measuring 28.7 x 19.1mm and 34.5mm on the diagonal, the CMOS sensor is comprised of 3520 x 2336 recording pixels, each 8.2 microns square, featuring primary RGB filtration and, like its popular predecessor the EOS-1D, has a 35mm focal length conversion factor of only 1.3x. What's more, the EOS-1D Mark II is the first Canon Digital SLR equipped with the next generation DIGIC II image processor, which permits faster processing of large files with superior color rendering and more precise detail. This new DIGIC II chip is twice as fast as the image processor used in the EOS-1D and four times faster than the DIGIC chip in the EOS 10D and EOS Digital Rebel.

In addition to the EOS-1D Mark II camera's top-end 8.2 megapixel resolution for JPEG and RAW image files, intermediate JPEG resolution preferences of 6.4MP (medium1) 4.3MP(medium2) and 2.0MP (small) are easily selected. JPEG compression settings can be adjusted independently over a ten-step range for each of the pixel resolution levels and freely set on the camera's LCD monitor menu as well. The EOS-1D Mark II camera also marks the debut of Canon's new "CR2" RAW file format standard that eliminates any potential confusion over the use of the TIF suffix found with the EOS-1D and 1Ds. RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG image settings are now selectable on the camera's rear LCD panel.

Adding to its speed and flexibility, the EOS-1D Mark II camera is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I or II as well as MicroDrives™) memory cards up to a theoretical capacity of 2048GB, and it features a second card slot for SD cards, allowing for successive or simultaneous recording on both types of media. Like its EOS-1D and 1Ds forebears, the Mark II camera is capable of capturing sound clips up to a maximum of 30 seconds per image.

Enhanced Image Quality and Color

The EOS-1D Mark II camera provides superior color rendition at default settings, reduces false color artifacting and produces less "noise" in low light settings thanks to its DIGIC II image processor and a redesigned state-of-the-art CMOS sensor. The camera also features improved auto white balance control, now done entirely off the image sensor; a new user-set white balance compensation which permits varying the color temperature in amber-blue or magenta-green, or combinations of the two; and new user-set custom Color Matrix and Processing Parameter settings which allow users to select their choice of color space, contrast, saturation and tone. A white balance bracketing option adds shifting in magenta-green or amber-blue. The Mark II camera's new EXIF 2.21 compatible standard for metadata now tags Adobe 1998 RGB color space profiles directly to user-specified images, removing the necessity to assign the color space manually in Photoshop