Tokyo, Japan, Jan 29, 2004 15:57 (JST) - (JCN Newswire) - Canon (TSE: 7739) today announced in Japan the introduction of its new flagship professional digital SLR camera--the EOS-1D Mark II--featuring an 8.2-million effective-pixel CMOS image sensor and the world's fastest*1 continuous shooting speed of approximately 8.5 frames per second (fps) for a burst of up to 40*2 consecutive frames.

Canon's new EOS-1D Mark II, replacing the EOS-1D model released in December 2001, was designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional news, sports and studio photographers. The EOS-1D Mark II incorporates a large APS-H-size (28.7 x 19.1 mm) CMOS sensor with 8.2-million effective pixels and, maximizing the performance potential of the sensor, Canon's new proprietary DIGIC II high-speed digital signal-processing integrated circuit. The DIGIC II circuit performs detailed processing of large-volume data at extremely high speed, satisfying professional demands for superlative image quality and responsiveness in any shooting situation.

In response to requests from professional users, Canon has included a range of new features in the EOS-1D Mark II, including a greater choice of image-quality settings, with four JPEG sizes and ten compression levels in addition to RAW files. Additionally, two customizable color-matrix settings, in addition to five preset modes, enable image optimization according to the requirements of the subject or output device. Moreover, dedicated card slots for CompactFlash and SD memory cards enable simultaneous backup or selective recording to either card, while a video output terminal enables users to view images on a television screen. The model also incorporates a two-inch 230,000-pixel LCD monitor which, doubling the resolution of the previous model's, enables magnification up to 10x to effectively check image focus during playback.

The new EOS-1D Mark II offers outstanding resilience, boasting improvements such as dramatically increased shutter durability capable of withstanding 200,000 cycles. A lightweight, heavy-duty magnesium alloy exterior provides exceeding rigidity as well as electromagnetic shielding, while thorough water- and dust-resistant sealing in 70 locations, including all switches, body seams and memory-card slots, ensures users of unfailing reliability under even the most grueling conditions.

Incorporating an AF system with a high-speed split-multiprocessor architecture, the EOS-1D Mark II realizes improved AF performance. In addition to matching the camera's 8.5 fps continuous-shooting speed, the camera delivers One-Shot AF speed and AI Servo AF focusing precision superior to those of the EOS-1D. The camera also features Canon's new E-TTL II automatic flash exposure control which, used with Canon's EX-series Speedlite flashes, employs a revised metering algorithm to achieve more precise, stable exposure control.

The latest and most advanced addition to Canon's range of professional digital SLRs, the EOS-1D Mark II inherits the renowned functions and usability of the EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds. These include the company's proprietary 45-point area autofocus, which makes photo composition quick and easy by eliminating the need to position the subject at the center of the picture; a 21-Zone Evaluative metering sensor to ensure ideal exposure performance; an advanced full-frame viewfinder; and Custom Function control, which allows users to tailor camera operations to their individual preferences.

Further catering to the needs of pro users, the new camera ships with a software suite that includes Canon's newly developed high-speed RAW-image-processing application, Digital Photo Professional. The newly developed application incorporates input from professional users, including high-speed image previews, a multi-frame editing window and batch processing, to boost workflow efficiency when working with large quantities of RAW images. Also included among the bundled software is the all-purpose EOS Viewer Utility which, based on Canon's previous File Viewer Utility, features such improvements as high-speed RAW-image previews and a refined user-interface for enhanced operability.

Canon Data Verification Kit DVK-E2

In addition to the EOS-1D Mark II, Canon also announced in Japan today the introduction of Canon Data Verification Kit DVK-E2, enabling users to verify the originality of digital images.

Canon Data Verification Kit DVK-E2 permits users to check with high precision for traces of data modification, enabling the accurate determination of the originality of digital images. In response to user demands since the release of DVK-E1, the latest version features more compact hardware for portability, and software with seven language options.

Bundled accessories:

EOS-1D Mark II Wide Strap L5, Interface Cable IFC-200D4, IFC-400PCU, Video Cable VC-100, DC Coupler Kit DCK-E1, Ni-MH Charger NC-E2, Ni-MH Battery Pack NP-E3, Canon Digital Photo Professional Disk, Canon EOS Digital Solution Disk