New Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is the 1st DSLR to Shoot 4K/60p

After months of wild rumours and speculations about whether it will shoot 4K or not, and whether it will be the unicorn some claim it to be, earlier today the official specs and PR text for the new flagship Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was leaked on CanonRumors and Digicame-Info. Whether the official specs were deserved of the hype or not, one thing is for sure – the 1D X Mark II raises the bar in the world of 4K DSLR video as the first DSLR ever to shoot True 4K/60p.

The new EOS-1D X Mark II features a brand new 20.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor, ISO up to half a million (!) and a body very similar to its predecessor. However, much to the chagrin of many (present company included) the 4K codec is the same “good ‘ol” Motion JPEG that is featured in the 1D C.

The good thing is that thanks to the faster Dual DIGIC 6+ processors this time there’s no need for stitching of files and the length of 4K file is only limited to the capacity of your CFast 2.0 card. Speaking of cards, the 1D X Mark II features both a CFast slot and a Compact Flash card slot. Dual Pixel AF in video and 1080p/120 fps slow-motion are just the icing on the cake.

Canon EOS-1D X II

Canon 1D X Mark II Front

Summary of EOS-1D X Mark II Video Features

  • 20.2 Megapixel Full-Frame (36 x 24mm) CMOS Sensor
  • Dual DIGIC 6+ Processors
  • 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) up to 60 fps (59.94p)
  • Full HD up to 120fps
  • File Formats:
    • MOV (4K Movie: Motion JPEG, Full HD Movie: MPEG4 AVC/H.264; Audio: Linear PCM)
    • MP4 (Movie: MPEG4 AVC/H.264; Audio: AAC)
  • Frame Rates
    • [4096 x 2160]: 59.94fps / 50.00fps / 29.97 fps/ 25.00fps / 24.00fps / 23.98fps
    • [1920 x 1080]: 119.9fps / 100.0fps / 59.94fps / 50.00fps / 29.97fps / 25.00fps / 24.00fps / 23.98fps
  • 8.8-Megapixel Stills from 4K stream
  • 1920 x 1080 up to 120 fps for super slow-motion
  • Motion JPEG 4K codec
  • Picture Profiles:
    • Auto
    • Standard
    • Portrait
    • Landscape
    • Fine Detail
    • Neutral
    • Faithful
    • Monochrome
    • User Defined 1–3
  • Uses CFast 2.0 cards for 4K capture
  • CFast and Compact Flash card slots
  • Dual Pixel AF & Movie Servo AF in video
  • Magnesium Alloy Body; Dust Proof

Screen Shot 2016-02-01 at 22.25.56

Looking at the specs above, one glaring omission is the lack of C-Log or Wide DR in the picture profile options, which may be e a deal-breaker for a lot of folks out there. In my opinion, I think Canon are saving up C-Log and WideDR for the 5D Mark IV, which is to be a lot more video oriented than the 1D X Mark II, which is after all a top-dog high-end stills camera for wildlife and sports photographers to whom 4K video is a secondary preference to super fast AF and rugged body design.

The 1D X Mark II is said to cost $5,999 USD and be available to buy very soon. Official word from Canon is yet to be seen on the EOS-1D X Mark II, but I won’t be surprised to see an official announcement any day now that the cat is out of the bag.

The 5D Mark IV is rumoured to be released sometime later this year. NAB 2016 is approaching fast, and we have CP+ before that at the end of February, so we may see a lot more of Canon very soon.

[via Canon Rumours/Digicame-Info]

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2 Comments

  1. Eno February 2, 2016
  2. PuckerFactor February 4, 2016

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