Development objectives
The EOS Kiss X2 (Photo 1) was designed as the successor to the EOS Kiss Digital X with the aim of creating an even more functional and better performing entry-level digital AF SLR camera by enriching its basic functions and introducing a number of new features. The following sections describe these development objectives in more detail.
• Finely detailed, high-quality images
| · | 12.20-megapixel CMOS sensor |
| · | DIGIC III provides natural and high-resolution color reproduction |
• Enriched functions to better meet the user's needs
| · | Viewfinder magnification increased to 0.87x |
| · | New 9-point AF sensor for better autofocus accuracy |
| · | 3-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle |
| · | 3.5 fps continuous shooting with a maximum burst of 53 shots |
| · | Live View shooting |
| · | Spot metering |
• Straightforward, clear-cut operation with solid basic functions
| · | Retains the basic operability of the EOS Kiss Digital X |
| · | LCD monitor displays shooting settings |
| · | Same menu design as the EOS-1D Mark III and the EOS 40D |
• Compact, light, high-grade design
| · | 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9 millimeters, 475 grams |
| · | Modern, progressive, user-friendly form |
• Thorough cleaning system
| · | Includes the EOS Integrated Cleaning System |
Next, let's take a tour of the EOS Kiss X2, concentrating on the areas that have been improved over the EOS Kiss Digital X.
Advances in resolution, image quality, and digital function
(1) Canon-developed 12.20-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC III imaging processor
The EOS Kiss X2 is equipped with a Canon-developed CMOS sensor (Photo 2). This sensor has 12.20 effective megapixels (12.40 total megapixels) and an effective sensor size of 22.2 × 14.8mm. By adopting a new semiconductor fabrication and microlens forming process, our engineers were able to provide this CMOS sensor with the same sensitivity as the EOS Kiss Digital X sensor, despite having more pixel elements, and with consistent low-noise characteristics from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.
The combination of a primary-color filter, a high-performance low-pass filter, and the fast and powerful DIGIC III imaging processor (Photo 3) allows the Kiss X2 to render richly detailed, high-quality images. The new sensor also reads out signals about 40 percent faster than the EOS Kiss Digital X thanks to improvements to the two-channel read-out clock and output amplifier.
To keep the sensor dust free, the EOS Kiss X2 has been fitted with the EOS-standard Integrated Cleaning System (Photo 4).
(2) Incorporates the high-end EOS 40D's image processing technology
• 14-bit A/D conversion produces richer tonal expressions
The Kiss Digital X uses a 12-bit process (4,096 gradations) to convert the CMOS sensor's analog output to a digital signal, whereas this model uses a 14-bit process (16,384 gradations) that generates digital data with richer tonality.
• Highlight Tone Priority mode
This mode expands the headroom from the proper exposure (18% gray) to the white saturation point by about one f-stop. The additional headroom limits washed-out highlights and gives smoother reproduction of tones from middle gray to highlights.
• Noise reduction during long exposures
This feature is particularly effective for exposures of several minutes or longer.
• Noise reduction at high ISO speeds
This function operates at all ISO speeds but is most effective when shooting at higher ISO speeds.
(3) Auto Lighting Optimizer - auto brightness and contrast correction
When the camera predicts that an image will be underexposed or look hazy or murky, the Auto Lighting Optimizer automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast immediately after the photo is taken to give a desirable result.
The Auto Lighting Optimizer also makes use of a new face-detection feature to ensure darkened faces are properly exposed in backlit situations or when flash illumination is insufficient. This function will operate when JPEG-only output is selected and the camera is in the Full Auto mode, but it can be disabled with a Custom function in Creative Zone modes.
(4) Auto ISO speed extended to the Creative Zone modes
On the EOS Kiss Digital X, Auto ISO functions only in the Basic Zone modes and automatically sets the ISO speed between 100 and 400 depending on the shooting conditions with a reference speed of ISO 200. The EOS Kiss X2, on the other hand, features an upgraded Auto ISO mode that works not only in the Basic Zone modes but also in the Creative Zone modes, where it sets the ISO speed automatically between 100 and 800.
(5) Three-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle
The X2 sports a large 3-inch LCD monitor (Photo 5) that not only has a resolution of 230,000 pixels and a wide 170° viewing angle but also uses less power to deliver a brighter picture. The menu display (Figure 1) uses the same easy-to-read design found on the EOS-1D Mark III and the EOS 40D.
(6) SD cards
The Kiss X2 is the first EOS camera to use SD cards (and SDHC cards) as its recording media. This allows users to share memory cards between the X2 and compact digital cameras, as SD cards are the standard media on most compact digital cameras.
The SD card system has also helped make the camera slimmer (3.1 millimeters thinner than the EOS Kiss Digital X).
Advances in speed, shooting, and operability
(1) High-magnification finder for better viewing
Canon has developed a bright, comfortable 0.87x viewfinder (Figure 2) for the EOS Kiss X2 that features a four-element eyepiece, a highly reflective, vacuum-evaporated silver pentamirror, and a new precision matte focusing screen. More information is also given inside the viewfinder, including indications of the ISO speed and the B/W mode.
(2) Fast, precise nine-point AF sensor with wide coverage
The EOS Kiss X2 comes with a newly developed nine-point AF sensor (Photo 6). The center AF point is a cross-type AF point sensitive to f/2.8, which is suitable for large-aperture lenses (vertical-line sensitive to f/2.8 and cross-type vertical- and horizontal-line sensitivity to f/5.6). The other eight AF points are EOS-standard f/5.6 sensitive (AF points from top to bottom are vertical-line sensitive and all others are horizontal-line sensitive).
This new AF sensor provides more accurate autofocusing when using large-aperture lenses because the baseline length of the center f/2.8-sensitive sensor is twice that of f/5.6 sensors.
(3) AI Servo AF capable of 3.5fps continuous shooting in bursts of up to 53 frames
Thanks to faster AF calculations and a newly developed shutter, this model can shoot continuously at about 3.5fps while using predictive-tracking AF. The maximum burst during continuous shooting is about 53 JPEG (Large/Fine) or 6 RAW pictures (Table 1).
| Recording quality | Pixels [megapixels] |
Shooting capacity [frames] |
Max. burst capacity [frames] |
| Large/Fine | 12.2 | 460 | 53 |
| Large/Normal | 880 | 880 | |
| Medium/Fine | 6.3 | 770 | 770 |
| Medium/Normal | 1470 | 1470 | |
| Small/Fine | 3.4 | 1190 | 1190 |
| Small/Normal | 2290 | 2290 | |
| RAW | 12.2 | 120 | 6 |
| RAW + Large/Fine | 99 | 4 |
 |
Possible to shoot continuously until the card is full |
(4) Spot metering
This is the first entry-level EOS digital model to have spot metering (measures the light in a four-percent area at the center of the viewfinder) for advanced exposure determination on par with high-end models.
(5) Live View shooting
The Kiss X2 features Live View shooting with a manual focus mode and two AF modes. Live View can only function in the P, Tv, Av, M, and A-DEP (Creative Zone) modes. With Live View enabled, pressing the Set button on the rear panel will activate Live View shooting and display the Live View image (100% coverage) on the LCD monitor.
• Live View shooting with manual focusing
Manual focusing is recommended for delicate focusing operations or when using a tripod. The focus frame image (which can be moved with the cross-type keys) is magnified (either 5x or 10x) and focus is manual. After returning to the normal display, pressing the shutter button takes the picture.
• AF (1) Quick Mode (C.Fn-8-1)
Holding down the AE Lock button in Live View mode (Figure 3) pauses Live View (lowers the mirror) and focuses automatically using phase-difference detection. After the user confirms the focus and releases the AE Lock button, Live View immediately returns. Pressing the shutter button will begin Live View shooting.
• AF (2) Live Mode (C.Fn-8-2)
Holding down the AE Lock button in Live View mode (Figure 4) starts autofocusing with the CMOS sensor, which takes a certain amount of time. When the focus point is determined, the AF frame will turn green and the camera will beep. The AF frame can be moved with the cross-type keys. Pressing the shutter button will now take the exposure.
Evaluative metering is used for Live View shooting. The exposure level is also shown in real time.
(6) New power-supply system with 50 percent more capacity
The X2 uses the newly designed compact, high-capacity LP-E5 battery pack (a 1,080mAh lithium-ion battery pack, Photo 7). When the battery pack is fully charged (charging takes about two hours), the camera can take about 600 images at room temperature with no flash shots or about 500 images using the flash 50 percent of the time.
The battery pack's charging unit, BG-E5 battery grip, AC adaptor kit, and other system accessories were developed together with the new power supply.
(7) New design and improved operability
• Modern, user-friendly design
Taking ''luxury'' as the design concept, Canon melded together curved surfaces to create the camera's modern, user-friendly form.
• More comfortable handling
Canon improved the camera's handling and grip comfort by including a rubber grip along with an optimally shaped rubber thumb rest on the rear panel.
• Refreshed menu design
The menu's design and operation has been revamped for consistency among new EOS models.
• Improved shooting-setting indications for the LCD monitor
Our engineers strived to make the indications on the LCD monitor, which displays enlarged shooting settings and icons, more intuitive by rearranging the display items as well as adding a guide to Main dial operations and a message that certain operations are not possible in the Basic Zone modes. Also, the monitor's background color can be selected from four colors (Figure 5) to suit the shooting conditions or the user's preference.
Advances in customization
(1) Enhanced custom functions
There are now 13 custom functions with 34 options (Table 2). The custom function categories have been reorganized based on the EOS-1D Mark III and the EOS 40D categories.
(2) My Menu function
Up to six frequently used menus or custom functions can be set to appear on the My Menu screen. When enabled, the My Menu options will appear first before any other menu when the Menu button is pressed.
Advances in system expandability
• Supports the original image verification system
The EOS Kiss X2 can append original-image verification data compatible with the OSK-E3 original data security kit, which is very effective in verifying the authenticity of images.
• Set flash functions from the camera
Various 580EX II flash unit functions can be set from the camera's menu.
• Extended PictBridge functions
When the Kiss X2 is combined with a Canon printer, new direct-print special effects can be previewed on the LCD monitor and the cropping angle can be adjusted (±10° in 0.5° increments).
This month we presented a general look at the new EOS Kiss X2 digital SLR camera.
Table 3 provides a comparison between the main specifications of the EOS Kiss X2 and the EOS Kiss Digital X.