This month’s Technical Report introduces the EOS-1D Mark II, the top-of-the-line professional digital AF SLR camera, incorporating an 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, which was announced worldwide on January 29, 2004 (available in late April).
The EOS-1D Mark II (see Photo 1), the successor to the EOS-1D, is a top-of-the-line digital AF SLR camera for professionals offering higher performance and enhanced features. The development concept is as follows:
Higher image quality, faster and quicker response than the EOS-1D
| • • • • • • • | Large 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor Continuous shooting up to 8.5 fps Maximum burst of 40 consecutive frames with JPEG Large format DIGIC II digital imaging engine, for precise natural color reproduction and high-speed image processing Quick response for shooting operation Wide ISO speed range (L: 50 - H: 3200) Optimum images provided to meet the diverse needs of professionals |
Improved features suggested by users |
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Two memory card slots, magnified zoom display, video OUT, and other features requested by EOS-1D users are incorporated. | Inheriting basic features and reliability of the EOS-1D |
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Same basic shooting features and operation as the EOS-1D Shutter durability of 200,000 shutter-release cycles Same water- and dust-resistance as the EOS-1D Magnesium alloy body and external covers |
Optimum software for professionals |
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Simultaneous development of the new high-speed RAW image processing
software Significant improvement of EOS DIGITAL standard software |
Evolution of digital features
(1) Large 8.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor
| The EOS-1D Mark II employs a new large
CMOS sensor with approximately 8.2 effective megapixels (out of a total of 8.5
megapixels) and an effective sensor size of 28.7 x 19.1mm (see Photo 2). The EOS-1D Mark II achieves thorough noise reduction with its second-generation on-chip noise reduction circuitry, high-speed 8-channel signal scanning for high-speed continuous shooting, and much lower power consumption. The EOS-1D Mark II incorporates the same hybrid low-pass filter as the EOS-1Ds. |
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(2) Newly-developed DIGIC II Digital Imaging Processor
Incorporating cutting-edge processing and renovated circuitry, as well as double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) with high-speed buffer memory, Canon’s newly developed DIGIC II imaging engine enables advanced high-volume image processing at ultrahigh speed which is severalfold faster than the previous DIGIC. As a result, it produces precise, high-quality digital images and high-speed continuous shooting.
(3) Selectable recording quality settings
Freely settable color matrix
As with the EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds, the EOS-1D Mark II provides five color matrix settings. In addition, EOS-1D Mark II allows the user to customize two sets of color matrix settings (see Figs. 1 and 2) in combination of color space (sRGB, Adobe RGB), color saturation (5 levels), and color tone (5 steps).
The EOS-1D Mark II supports DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21 standards, ensuring the proper color reproduction of the image with Adobe RGB color space using software application and printers compatible with both DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21.
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| Fig. 1 Color Matrix Setting Menu Screen | Fig. 2 Color Matrix Selecting Menu Screen |
The EOS-1D Mark II provides two recording formats, RAW and JPEG. The JPEG image size can be selected from 4 types: Large, Middle 1, Middle 2, and Small (Table 1).
| Image size (Recording pixels) | File size | Print size | ||
| JPEG | Large | 3504 x 2336(Approx. 8.2 megapixels) | 2.8MB | A3 or larger |
| Middle 1 | 3104 x 2072(Approx. 6.4 megapixels) | 2.2MB | A4 or larger | |
| Middle 2 | 2544 x 1696(Approx. 4.3 megapixels) | 1.7MB | A5 to A4 | |
| Small | 1728 x 1152(Approx. 2.0 megapixels) | 1MB | A5 | |
| RAW | 3504 x 2336(Approx. 8.2 megapixels) | 8.3MB | A3 or larger | |
| The JPEG image quality (compression
rate) can be set independently (10 levels) for each image size (Fig. 3). Furthermore,
the EOS-1D Mark II can simultaneously record and store a RAW image and a JPEG
image with any image size selected. |
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The EOS-1D Mark II employs a new RAW format that combines the EOS-1D’s TIFF and the PowerShot/EOS 10D’s CRAW formats. This new format will be incorporated in future Canon digital cameras as the standard RAW format (file extension is “CR2”).
(4) Improved white balance and white balance compensation
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Auto white balance The EOS-1D Mark II calculations are more precise. Auto white balance, which is more accurate and stable than the EOS-1D, is obtained using only the image sensor. |
| • | Preset white balance Like the EOS-1D, the EOS-1D Mark II provides seven preset white balance modes, direct color temperature setting, and three custom white balance settings (pre-registration using the bundled software is required). |
| • | White balance compensation The EOS-1D Mark II has added a digital color filter having the same effect as commercially available color temperature conversion or color correction gelatin filters. It can correct the bias toward blue/amber, magenta/green (by ±9 levels) and combinations of the two. |
| • | White balance bracketing The EOS-1D Mark II’s white balance bracketing records three bracketed images simultaneously with a single shot. Besides correcting blue/amber bias, the camera can now also correct magenta/green bias. |
Normally, the ISO speed can be set from ISO 100 to 1600 in 1/3-stop increments, and may even be set as low as 50 or as high as 3200 through the ISO extension menu.
(6) Two memory card slots
The EOS-1D Mark II provides two memory card slots (one for Type I / II CF card and one for SD memory card), allowing the user to select between the back-up recording to record images on both memory cards simultaneously and the separate recording to record images on either card.
| (7) 230,000-pixel, high-definition,
2.0'' LCD monitor The EOS-1D Mark II employs an LCD monitor that has approximately twice the resolution of the EOS-1D. It also incorporates a RGB histogram display (see Fig. 5). |
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| The LCD image can be magnified up
to 10x. By turning Quick Control Dial while in the magnified zoom mode, the previous
or following images will also be enlarged. This is helpful for focus confirmation
of multiple shots in a single shooting session. (9) Automatic rotation of vertical image With orientation detection, vertical images captured while [Auto Rotate] is [ON] are rotated automatically to the upright position for viewing. (10) New video output terminal NTSC/PAL-compatible video OUT is provided. |
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Evolution of shooting features
While retaining the basic functions of the EOS-1D, the EOS-1D Mark II improves on the following functions.
(1) High-speed, 45-point AF
By incorporating a split multiprocessor with 32-bit RISC microcomputer, the EOS-1D Mark II improves the AI Servo AF focusing precision for approximately 8.5 fps high-speed continuous shooting and makes the One-Shot AF speed faster than the EOS-1D.
(2) 8.5 fps continuous shooting and maximum 40-shot burst
Although the EOS-1D Mark II has about twice as many pixels as the EOS-1D, it gives faster continuous shooting and a maximum burst of 40 shots (JPEG Large).
(3) 0.5-second start-up time, approximately 40ms shortest release time lag
The EOS-1D Mark II has quick 0.5-sec. start-up time. The default shutter-release time lag is intentionally set to the same 55ms as the EOS-1D, but a very short 40ms time lag (approx.) can be achieved with P.Fn-26.
(4) Power-saving design more than double the battery life of the EOS-1D
The EOS-1D Mark II is capable of taking twice as many shots as the EOS-1D (see Fig. 7). This is made possible through as the low power DIGIC II, CMOS sensor, LED backlight for the LCD monitor, power-saving circuitry design, and firmware.
The EOS-1D Mark II incorporates the improved version of Canon's proprietary Evaluative Through-The-Lens (E-TTL) Autoflash system. This E-TTL II algorithm offers new averaged metering that utilizes the distance information data provided by EF lenses. This effectively controls flash exposure even with changes in subject location, reflectivity, size or brightness level, improving the exposure accuracy in flash photography using EX-series flashes.
(6) Shutter durability of 200,000 cycles
The EOS-1D Mark II achieves shutter durability of 200,000 cycles, approximately 30% higher than in the EOS-1D.
Evolution of design and operation ease
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| Photo 4 EOS-1D Mark II Top View | Photo 5 EOS-1D Mark II Back View |
The EOS-1D Mark II is easy to operate because the basic operations are based on the EOS-1D.
(2) Improved mechanical operation
Redesigned memory card slot cover knob
In response to user demand for easier operation with gloves, the knob has been reshaped to make it easier to turn. It has also been modified to prevent data loss in case the slot cover is opened accidentally during data writing.
Improved digital operation
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JPEG and image size, RAW, RAW+JPEG and image size can be selected in a single operation with the image size selection button and Quick Control Dial. |
| • | ISO speed extensions have been moved to the menu screen. |
| • | Color temperature can be directly set with the WB button and Main Dial. |
(3) Enhanced custom functions
The EOS-1D Mark II adds a new feature which enables the user to save and read the camera settings in the memory card. The camera settings include those in the top LCD panel, rear LCD panel, and almost all items displayed in the menu including C.Fn and P.Fn. The Quick Control Dial’s ON/OFF switch now also applies to the Main Dial and the original image verification data is appended.
(4) Direct printing
The EOS-1D Mark II carries a small USB port for direct printing with PictBridge-compatible printers, Bubble Jet Direct and CP Direct.
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the EOS-1D Mark II.
Table 2 shows the major specifications comparison among the EOS-1D Mark II, the EOS-1D and the EOS-1Ds.
The EOS-1D Mark II is already in compliance with the “EU’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive” which goes into effect in July 2006. More information on the new software applications and new lenses developed with the EOS-1D Mark II will be provided in a later issue.
Table 2 Major Specifications Comparison among EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds