[NewsPoster]

Canon has unveiled a new version of its EOS-1D X digital camera aimed at the professional market, one it initially released four years ago. The EOS-1D X Mark II is an upgraded version of the original, housing a new 20.2-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor with dual DIGIC 6+ image processors, giving it a boost in terms of speed and image quality, as well as allowing it to film 4K and 1080p video at 60 and 120fps respectively with a "Dual Pixel" CMOS autofocus.

Capable of a 14 frames per second burst mode with auto exposure enabled and predictive autofocus, up to 16fps in Live View mode, the EOS-1D X Mark II is able to shoot up to 170 consecutive RAW images in a single burst, with no limit to the number of JPEG images. The viewfinder autofocus now has 61 points with expanded coverage, with all selectable and supporting a maximum aperture of f/8, with the AF system also including 41 cross-type points.

ISO ranges between 100 and 51,200, extendable to 409,600, while a 360,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor is able to perform facial recognition and tracking. The video system is able to output individual frames of a 4K video as an 8.8-megapixel still JPEG image in-camera, with the AF point able to be set during a recording as well as before.

Accompanying the 100 percent-coverage pentaprism viewfinder on the back of the magnesium alloy body is a 1.62M-dot 3.2-inch LCD panel, while an extra screen on the top offers an alternative view of essential settings. GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity are also included, for tracking the location of shots and remote controlling via a mobile app, though it can also work with a separate Wireless Fire Transmitter.

Shipping in April, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will cost $6,000 for the body alone, or $6,300 in a premium kit, including a 64GB CFast memory card and a card reader.

[prl99]

Nice camera. First I've heard about the CFast memory card. Announced in late 2013, it's capable of read speeds of up to 450MB/s and write speeds of up to 350MB/s, and will be sold with 60 or 120GB of storage. It appears Lexar sells the same thing as their Professional 3400x, 510MB card. Having this fast of a car is the only way this camera can record 170 burst shots in succession. That's only 12 secs of continuous shooting but at 14 frames a second, that's a lot! Now if I could only afford the full-frame lenses I might think about this body. The full-frame Canon bodies and lenses are like buying a Mac Pro system; they're only for those people who will make a lot of money with their equipment (or people who have money to burn).