This frame was taken a Full HD movie:
EOS-1D Mark IV, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, f/2.2, 1/30 sec.,
ISO 12800, 30fps

Example 1: Movie shot in the dark
(where the naked eye has difficulty making out objects)

●Advantage 1: Superb performance in dark scenes

EOS Movie’s true capabilities can be experienced when recording scenes so dark they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Even in scenes like these, with EOS Movie, users can shoot exceptional quality movies handheld without using large lighting rigs (see Example 1).

●Advantage 2: Gorgeous images

EOS Movie can capture movies with the same beautiful bokeh found in still images by taking advantage of the superior optical characteristics of EF and EF-S lenses (see Example 2). Shrinking the depth of field by opening the aperture softens the background and makes it possible to obtain fresh scenes that emphasize the subject, create an ethereal sensation, and convey a feeling of depth.

Figure 1: Comparison of sensor sizes

●Large CMOS sensor

The CMOS imaging sensors in EOS cameras come in three sizes: 35mm full-frame, APS-H, and APS-C (from largest to smallest). Just how large these sensors are is clear when compared with the 1/3-inch imaging sensors of ordinary video cameras (see Figure 1).
But having large sensors is not enough. We worked to reduce noise and boost sensitivity by increasing the amount of light captured by each sensor pixel, and we worked to lower power consumption to a level suitable for Live View shooting and movie recording. Another factor behind EOS Movie’s superb image quality is the synergy between the sensor and the high-speed, feature-rich image processing of the high-performance DIGIC 4 imaging engine (Photo 2).

●Audio recording

Movie audio recorded with the built-in microphone (Photo 3) is monaural . Stereo recording is possible by connecting an external stereo microphone to the 3.5mm-diameter stereo mini plug (not available on the EOS Kiss X3). Audio is recorded in an uncompressed linear PCM format, which has the same audio quality as CDs. Recording level is adjusted automatically.
A firmware update (Ver. 2.0.3) for the EOS 5D Mark II adds the ability to manually adjust recording levels (Figure 4). Under the menu option “Sound recording,” the recording level can be adjusted in 64 steps while watching the sound level meter display.

Photo 3: Built-in microphone (EOS Kiss X4)

Figure 4: Recording level adjustment window
(EOS 5D Mark II)

Figure 5: Movie writing status indicator

For smooth movie recording, we recommend a CF card with a write speed of at least 8MB/second or a SD card with an SD speed class 6 or higher. When a slower card is used, a five-bar writing-status indicator (Figure 5) will appear on the right side of the monitor. If all five bars light up (meaning the buffer is full), movie recording will stop automatically. The indicator will not appear if the card’s write speed is fast enough.

■This concludes our look at EOS Movie. Why not try out all the advantages of EOS Movie in your next movie?
Table 2 provides the main specifications of all five EOS models that include EOS Movie.