Canon EOS 1D Mark IV   

By Leonard Goh, CNET Asia
Oct 20, 2009

Canon today announced its latest high-end dSLR, the EOS 1D Mark IV. This model succeeds the EOS 1D Mark III and features several notable upgrades over its predecessor.

The image resolution has been bumped up from 10 to 16 megapixels, though the crop factor of 1.3x remains as the sensor is an APS-H size. To keep up with imaging trends, the EOS 1D Mark IV has full-HD video capture at 24, 25 and 30 frames per second (fps). Users can also record at 50 or 60fps at HD resolution (1,280 x 720 pixels). Like the Nikon D3s, the maximum ISO sensitivity has been increased to 102,400. According to a Canon representative, this is a new benchmark for high-end dSLRs. We have some high ISO sample images taken with a pre-production unit coming up right below.

Also notable are the dual memory card slots which support CompactFlash and SD/SDHC media formats. Users can choose to record to either card or both simultaneously. The EOS 1D Mark IV has 45 autofocus points, of which 39 are cross types. Combined with two DIGIC 4 image processors, Canon claims the autofocus module is now faster and more precise.

Specifications/model	Nikon D3s	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Sensor type	FX format (full frame)	APS-H (1.3x crop factor	APS-H (1.3x crop factor)
Sensor resolution	12 megapixels	16.1 megapixels	10 megapixels
Dimension/weight	159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm/1.24kg	156 x 156.6 x 79.9mm/1.18kg	156 x 156.6 x 79.9mm/1.155kg
LCD size	3-inch, 920k-dot	3-inch, 920k-dot	3-inch, 230k-dot
ISO range	ISO 200 to 12,800 (expandable to 100 to 102,400)	ISO 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 50 to 102,400)	ISO 100 to 3,200 (expandable to 50 to 6,400)
Autofocus points	51 points	45 points	45 points
Max. video resolution	1,280 x 720 pixels	1,920 x 1,080 pixels	N.A.
Audio	Mono with 3.5mm stereo jack	Mono with 3.5mm stereo jack	N.A.
Burst mode	9fps	10fps	10fps
Memory media	Dual CompactFlash cards slots	One CompactFlash card and one SD/SDHC slot	One CompactFlash card and one SD/SDHC slot
Battery type	EN-EL4a/EL4 lithium-ion battery	LP-E4	LP-E4

We gave the dSLR a quick go at a Canon press event held in Singapore, and found it to be very well built. It has weather seals at strategic points, which make the camera suitable for professional photographers out on the field. Controls are well-laid out, and as with Canon's other high-end dSLRs, there is no mode dial. Users will have to press the Mode button and turn the command dial to toggle between different settings. We also noticed the lack of a dedicated video-recording button, so we had to go into Live View mode before we could start capturing clips.

Interestingly, Canon didn't skip the IV model and jump from III to V for this dSLR. We were expecting the company to skip the "unlucky" number 4 (a digit which has negative connotations in parts of Asia), since it didn't launch a G4 model for its PowerShot series, either.

The EOS 1D Mark IV will compete with the full-frame Nikon D3s which was unveiled last week. Although the D3s has a burst rate of 9fps compared with 10fps on the Canon dSLR, some users have mentioned that there may not be any operational differences between these two continuous shooting modes. However, shutterbugs who want to print larger photographs may look to the higher-resolution EOS 1D Mark IV.

The Canon dSLR will be available from December in the region. Although its Asia pricing has yet to be announced, it is expected to retail for US$5,000 in the US.

Click for larger image of the camera:

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