CMOS SensorDIGIC II Imaging Engine 17.20 Million Total Pixels 16.70 Million Effective Pixels 16.61 Million Recorded Pixels ISO 100-1600 ISO 50 / 3200 4fps 32 JPEG / 11 RAW Buffer 30sec - 1/8000sec Shutter CF & SD Slots Wi-Fi (802.11b / 802.11g) MSRP: $7,999.00 USD |
| Canon 1Ds Mark II |
| September 21, 2004 |
| Canon has revealed their latest Pixel Monster of Mega proportions. The 1Ds Mark II is a Full-Frame DSLR, possessing a brand new CMOS imager, which delivers a 16.7 eMP image. The 1Ds MK II has the latest imaging engine, the DIGIC II processor, which can also be found in the 1D MK II, and 20D. Pixel size has not been affirmed as of yet, but it is estimated to be around 7.09µm.
The Sensor & Imaging Processor
16.7 Million Pixels
Canon is getting into Medium Format terroritory with their 4992 x 3328 image resolution, and the 1Ds MK II is much more compact. It's also a lot less expensive than a typica MF system. You don't see too many digital backs at 16MP or more selling for less than what a 1Ds MK II is selling for. A Phase One P20 16MP digital back is currently selling for $17,000, and the Phase One P25 sells for $30,000. Phase One has virtually taken over the medium format market, and some estimates are as much as 70-75% market saturation. That's a lot. But this also means this market saturation could decrease over time as camera manufacturers like Canon produce a product much less, giving you the same resolution.
12-bit vs. 16-bit
We will probably start seeing arguments in terms of 12-bit vs. 16-bit images when a medium format camera and a Canon 1Ds MK II are concerned. The Canon 1Ds MK II still has only a 12-bit per channel value (36 bits total), so those who are thinking of a medium format system, could still be unswayed as some MF backs have true 16-bits per channel values (48 bits total). The higher the bits-per-color-channel value, the more subtle color tones, color variations within each color, and gradients are recorded in the image.
Wi-Fi: At A Price
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Canon's new Full-Frame CMOS sensor is, in my opinion, significantly better than the original 1Ds sensor. Just from looking at the 4 samples available from Canon's website, noise has been reduced. This is due to Canon's Digic II imaging processor. This processor is certainly giving Canon an edge in the 20D, 1D MK II, and now in the 1Ds MK II. The Digic II processor does a spectacular job with the 20D's images, and I can see the same kind of pattern in 1Ds MK II images. This "pattern" is unlike other noise patterns you normally see, as it is surpressed and/or blended into the surrounding pixels.
Canon's first Wi-Fi module, the WFT-E1, can be connected to not only a 1Ds MK II, but the 1D MK II, and even the 20D. However, their Wi-Fi unit currently has a MSRP of 140,000 Yen. This translates to $1,250. Ouch. I'm hoping this "suggested" price will be lowered significantly, especially since there MANY more 20D users than there are 1Ds MK II and even 1D MK II users.