While we wait for tomorrow's announcement of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, I figured I do a specs comparison of the 3 cameras in the EOS-1D X series. I think that the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is a bigger step forward than the jump we saw between the original EOS-1D X and EOS-1D X Mark II.
We don't know all of the specifications yet. There has been no confirmation of the processors the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III uses, and we don't know how much more advanced this new autofocus system is and there are probably more things to learn about the video features.
This is a comparison of the basic known specifications of the three cameras.
EOS-1D X | EOS-1D X Mark II | EOS-1D X Mark III | |
Megapixels | 18.1 | 20.2 | 20.1 |
Processor | Dual DIGIC 5+ | Dual DIGIC 6+ | DIGIC X |
ISO (Extended) | 100-51,200 (204,800 ) | 100-51,200 (409,600) | 100-102,400 (819,200) |
Max Frame Rate | 12fps/14fps | 14fps/16fps | 16fps/20fps |
AF Points | 61 (41 cross-type) | 61 (41 cross-type) | 191 (155 cross-type) |
Memory Card | Dual CompactFlash | CompactFlash + CFast | Dual CFexpress |
Video Resolutions | 1080p @ 60p | 4K @ 60fps | 1080p @ 120p, 4K @ 60p, RAW 5.4K @ 60p, Canon Log |
LCD | 3.2″ 1.04 million dots | 3.2″ 1.6 million dots | 3.2″ 2.1 million dots |
Buffer | 30+ in RAW | 170+ in RAW | 1000+ in RAW |
Metering Sensor | 100,000 pixel RGB | 360,000 pixel RGB+IR | 400,000 pixel RGB+IR |
Weight (inc batt) | 1550g | 1550g | 1440g |
Launch Price (USD) | $6,799 | $5,999 | $6,499 |
Purchase | $1,399 (Used) | $5,499 | $6,499 |
Note: We did not include the Canon EOS-1D C in this comparison, which was essentially an EOS-1D X with cropped (APS-H) 4K video capture which launched at an eye-watering price of $14,999 USD.
Yeah, the all-new image sensor (and hopefully jump in IQ) and an all-new and more precise autofocus system are definitely not for photographers. Obviously we have to see it in action first, but to claim there's nothing here for photographers is silly.
One has to wonder how many 1DC were sold at $14,999. Wow.
As a stills camera I must confess I was hoping to see some new in-the-pipeline features (IBIS high among them), but if the performance enhancements with focus, battery and *particularly* high ISO, are as strong as the PR suggests, then I'd deffo think to swap my older mk2 over in time.
Shutter speed and buffer are crazy and I guess they can just do that now anyway, so why not and, assuming it isn't for buffer speed, I care less about a bump in megapixels than I do about a stop of high ISO performance.
Built in wifi knocks off an additional (and irrepairable/easily losable and clumsy) £500 purchase for many who shoot live from their hands. Saving 100g is nice, and it's prob double that if the battery life improvement hits the mark.
But, while I'd consider this over time, I'd immediately buy this kind of spec in a lightweight mirrorless (or even 5d5), with a removable grip, IBIS and a flippy screen.
I bet they still haven't added in-camera 0.1 degree fidelity rotation :(
I'm guessing that the massive buffer is only possible because of the CFexress cards – they will write data fast enough to keep the buffer from filling.
The EOS-1D series is developed with pro photographers' input, and I imagine it came down to better ISO performance, DR, speed, and whatnot instead of bumping the resolution to 24mp, which is a barely noticeable difference compared to 20mp.
The larger buffer is, in my opinion, little more than a spec sheet advantage. The truth is, shooting raw to a cfast card I can't recall ever having the buffer fill shooting sports. The reason being that most sports plays only take a few seconds before they are over with, giving plenty of time to clear the buffer before the next play. In contrast, I've had to wait for the buffer to clear on the 5DIV and R many, many times.