This month’s Technical Report introduces the EOS-1Ds, Canon’s new cutting-edge professional digital autofocus single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, incorporating an 11.1 megapixel CMOS sensor.
The EOS-1Ds is based on the EOS-1D, but it employs a new 11.1 megapixel full 35mm-frame CMOS sensor developed by Canon. It is our new top-of-the-line digital AF SLR camera for professionals. It was developed under the following concepts:
Ultrafine, ultrahigh image quality
| • | 36 x 24mm (full 35mm film frame size) CMOS sensor with about 11.1 effective megapixels |
| • | High-performance digital image-processing IC for precise, natural color reproduction |
| • | Continuous shooting of up to 3 fps (10 consecutive frames) |
| • | Quick response for shooting operation equal to that of the EOS-1V |
| • | Fast shutter speed of 1/8,000 sec. and X-sync at 1/250 sec. |
| • | Same features and operability as the EOS-1D |
| • | Same dust and water resistance, and durability as the EOS-1D |
| • | Magnesium alloy body and external covers |
| • | Customizing features |
| • | Enlarged image display |
| • | Automatic recording of evaluation data to detect any modification to the original image |
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| Photo3 EOS-1Ds Top view | Photo4 EOS-1Ds Back view |
| Canon’s own large 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor with about 11.1 effective megapixels (see Photo 2), RGB primary color filter, and the optimal hybrid low-pass/infrared cut filter, give the EOS-1Ds the highest level of precision and image quality of any digital AF SLR camera, matching the performance of the digital back for medium format cameras. The same 3:2 aspect ratio as 35mm film assures 35mm film camera users familiar composition when shooting with EOS-1Ds. |
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Feature 2: Compatible with all Canon EF lenses with the same photographic expression as 35mm film SLRs
With its full 35mm-frame CMOS sensor, the EOS-1Ds can fully utilize all of more than 50 Canon EF lenses (see Photo 5), from ultra wide-angle to super telephoto with the same image coverage as conventional 35mm SLR cameras.
The EOS-1Ds incorporates high-speed sequence control for shutter and mirror charging as in the EOS-1V, high-speed two-channel reading of the CMOS data as well as digital image-processing IC for high-speed image processing as in the EOS-1D, and buffer memory twice that of the EOS-1D. These features enable the camera to achieve continuous shooting speed of about 3 fps (10 consecutive frames) despite the high 11.1 megapixel pixel count.
During continuous shooting, the maximum burst is 10 shots under all shooting conditions regardless of recording format.
Feature 4: High-performance digital image-processing IC for precise, natural color reproduction
High-performance digital image-processing IC and resolution-oriented image processing
The EOS-1Ds has the high-performance digital image-processing IC developed for the EOS-1D. This IC has a dual structure for high-speed processing with two-channel reading of signals from the CMOS sensor. It forms the heart of the digital image processing system of the EOS-1Ds designed to support resolution-oriented high-speed, precision image processing, natural color reproduction, false color suppression, and simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG images.
Hybrid low-pass filter/infrared cut filter
The infrared cut (reflective) filter and infrared absorption filter are installed on the lens side and CMOS side of the low-pass filter respectively in the hybrid structure (see Fig. 2). This hybrid filter eliminates both the biased (overlapping) color attributable to infrared and the ghosts caused by reflections from the lens and CMOS surfaces.
Digital cameras execute matrix operation to convert RGB information received by the sensor into the color information of each pixel. The color tone and color space can be adjusted by changing the matrix factor. Color matrix function utilizes this method to let the user select the appropriate color tone and color space.
Color matrix settings 1, 2, 3, and 5 programmed in the EOS-1Ds correspond conceptually to different types of film, and its color space is compatible with sRGB (see Note 1).
Color matrix "1" offers natural-looking hues and saturation; "2" has hues and saturation ideal for portraits with natural skin color; "3" produces hues and saturation similar to high-saturation slide film; and "5" gives low saturation. Color matrix "4" creates image characteristics optimized for Adobe RGB (see Note 2) and suitable for output of captured image data to Adobe RGB-compatible devices.
Note 1: sRGB is a color space standard co-developed by Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard to ensure the same color reproduction across standard-compliant cameras, monitor displays, application software, and printers. Many devices in the market support sRGB standard. The "s" before "RGB" stands for "standard".
Note 2: Adobe RGB is a color space that Adobe Systems has adopted in Photoshop 5.0 and later versions. It offers a broader color reproduction range than sRGB and covers the CMYK color gamut of most printing devices. Adobe RGB is regarded ideal for commercial printing involving expanded color reproduction.
Processing parameters can be set with the camera alone
Processing parameters define the processing characteristics for a captured image. While all the parameters must be controlled from the computer with EOS-1D, sharpness and JPEG quality (compression ratio) can now be set on the EOS-1Ds menu screen (see Fig. 3). The tone curve settings, however, must be customized and uploaded into the camera via computer (the camera selects the setting from among three preset settings).
Fig.3 Processing parameters menu screen
Precision white balance
The EOS-1Ds has the same precise white balance functions as the EOS-1D.
Enlarged image viewing
In response to EOS-1D user feedback, the EOS-1Ds allows magnified image viewing on the camera’s LCD monitor. When P.Fn-30 is enabled, it is possible to quadruple any area of 25-block image. For enlarged playback, press the assist button simultaneously with the DISPLAY button after selecting an image. Rotate the Quick Control Dial while pressing the SELECT button to select the area to be magnified.
Feature 5: Original image evaluation system
Digital images are extensively used in various business fields, from news photography to product photos of Internet shops, because of their immediacy and processing freedom.
Conversely, since digital images are always exposed to a risk of alteration, insurance, construction, and other industries that use images as evidence or proof seek an effective solution to verify that digital camera images are unaltered, original files. The EOS-1Ds is the first digital SLR camera that has an original image evaluation system to meet the industry demand.
When the EOS-1Ds user shoots with P.Fn-31 on, a code containing the image’s characteristic data is automatically attached to the image. Then the Data Verification Kit DVK-E1 (Windows only/kit price 250,000 yen, see Photo 6), concurrently developed with the EOS-1Ds, works on the computer to determine the correct code for the image and compare it with a code attached to the image. The system is so precise, that even the discrepancy as slight as 1bit is detected while up to 100 images can be verified at once.
It takes about 2.5 seconds to attach a code to the image in JPEG/fine mode and about 6 seconds in RAW mode. As long as there is enough space in buffer memory, continuous shooting is possible.
Fig.4 Original image evaluation system of Data Verification Kit DVK-E1
Feature 6: 600 shots with one fully charged dedicated Ni-MH battery pack
The EOS-1Ds uses the same Ni-MH battery pack NP-E3 used by the EOS-1D, but when fully charged (charging time is about 120 minutes) the NP-E3 permits the EOS-1Ds to capture about 600 shots, 20% more than the EOS-1D. This is made possible by adopting a CMOS sensor that consumes less energy than the CCD sensor of the EOS-1D, and by energy-saving design that reduces energy consumption by 20% when the metering timer is on and by 50% when image processing is in standby.
Feature 7: EOS-1D functions, operability, and reliability
The basic shooting functions and specifications of the EOS-1Ds such as shooting-priority design, the same response as the EOS-1V, 100% viewfinder coverage and information display, high-speed 45-point Area AF, metering and exposure control with the 21-zone metering sensor, dust and water resistance, operational durability of 150,000 shutter cycles, rugged magnesium alloy external covers, and operability, are all inherited from the EOS-1D. The only difference in external appearance from the EOS-1D is the gold-plated “Ds” affixed to the front of the camera.
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the EOS-1Ds.
The debut of the EOS-1Ds gives users a choice between the EOS-1Ds and the EOS-1D according to their needs. Press and sports photographers who need high-speed continuous shooting can select the EOS-1D, while studio or nature photographers who need the highest possible image quality can choose the EOS-1Ds.
Table 2 compares major specifications between the EOS-1Ds and EOS-1D, and Fig. 5 shows the EOS-1Ds system map.
The EOS-1Ds has no suggested retail price, but the expected retail price is around 950,000 yen (kit price).
Fig. 5 EOS-1Ds system map
Table 1 Recording format and capacity with 128 MB CompactFlash card (estimate)
| Image-recording quality | Image size (Pixels) |
Image file size (Approx.) |
Max. capacity (Approx.) |
| JPEG Large / Fine |
4,064 x 2,704 (Approx. 11.0 million) |
4.1 MB | 25 images |
| JPEG Large / Normal | 1.7 MB | 65 images | |
| JPEG Small / Fine | 2,032 x 1,352 (Approx. 2.7 million) |
1.4MB | 80 images |
| RAW | 4,064 x 2,704 (Approx. 11.0 million) |
11.4MB | 8 images |
| RAW + JPEG | - | 15.3MB | 4 images |
| RAW + JPEG | 12.9MB | 6 images | |
| RAW + JPEG | 12.6MB | 7 images |
| Item | EOS-1Ds | EOS-1D | ||
| Imaging System |
Imaging element | CMOS | CCD | |
| Effective pixels |
11.1megapixels | 4.15megapixels | ||
| Image size (mm) | 35.8 x 23.8 | 28.7 x 19.1 | ||
| Pixel unit (µm square) |
8.8 | 11.5 | ||
| 35mm format equivalent | 1x | 1.3x | ||
| Recording System |
Processing parameters |
Set with Camera |  |
- |
| Set with PC | |
|
||
| Original data evaluation system (P.Fn) | |
- | ||
| Playback image enlargement | |
- | ||
| Viewfinder magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm at infinity) |
0.7x | 0.72x | ||
| Exposure Control |
Metering area (%) |
Partial metering |
8.5 | 13.5 |
| Spot metering |
2.4 | 3.8 | ||
| ISO speed | Range |
100-1250 | 200-1600 | |
| Step | 1/3 | 1/3 | ||
| Expansion (C.Fn) |
50 | 100 / 3200 | ||
| AEB at 1/3 stop | |
|
||
| AEB at 1/2 stop | - | |
||
| Shutter | Type | Mechanical | Mechanical + Electronic |
|
| Speed range (sec.) | 1/8,000 _ 30 | 1/16,000_30 | ||
| X-sync. speed (sec.) | 1/250 | 1/500 | ||
| Drive System |
Continuous shooting
speed (approx. fps) |
3 | 8 | |
| Maximum burst | JPEG | 10 | 21 | |
| RAW | 10 | 16 | ||
| Continuous shooting during noise reduction for long-exposure | * |
- | ||
| Number of shots (with fully-charged Ni-MH pack at approx. 20°C) |
600 | 500 | ||
| Personal functions | 26 | 25 | ||
| Weight (g) |
Camera body only | 1,265 | 1,250 | |
| Camera body + battery pack |
1,600 | 1,585 | ||