In February this year we attended the presentation of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. It has been more than four years since the previous model and this release was highly anticipated. High-end Canon debuts a revamped model that puts your workspace in nature and sporting events.
No major changes in design terms, the new version of the legendary Canon EOS-1D X aims to overcome a high bar that has left its predecessor, see if the brand engineers have met the target.
Characteristics
Input we are surprised (pleasantly) that the new model will grow little in the resolution refers, from 18 Mp to 20 Megapixels, otherwise the sensor may be a bit forced to have to respond to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF It is incorporating for the first time a full-frame EOS.
As we see, the improvements do not stay only in the implementation of technology dual photodiode or a small increase in resolution, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II shoots gusts as high as 14 frames per second with AF / AE tracking and up to 16 in Live-View mode with AF fixed. To reach these speeds have to use a card CFast 2.0. The dual slot also allows the use of a conventional Compact Flash but the total number of RAW shot at 14fps is drastically reduced to 73 shots.
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, design and ergonomics
Except for small details of pushbuttons, such as Live View and an improved joystick, the two models 1D X are practically the same in the rear. Front View the picture is not very different, maybe the trick to differentiate one from another obviating the chapter announcing that is a Mark II is set in the flash shoe in the new model is hidden by a GPS module that incorporates.
With dimensions of 158 wide by 167.6 mm high and 82.6 background and a weight of 1.34 kg. No wonder the grip is firm. Controls and buttons are designed to be used “touch”, without looking, which helps a lot when trying to tame the beast.
The body is built in magnesium alloy, taking into account the type of photographer who is addressed, the Canon Benjamin is designed to withstand shock and water.
Focus, speed and autonomy
After the initial and watch several times by all its angles groping it was time to look through the viewfinder to aim the target, then the Canon kept another surprise, I can see through the viewfinder 61 points enlightened approach.
A renewed system “AI Servo” very useful when we need to keep focus on moving subjects that can make quick changes of trajectory.
The two processors DIGIC 6+ riding the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II allows you to fire a burst of 14 frames per second, the processors and the buffer get that, without lifting your finger off the trigger, get up to 170 files in RAW and unlimited number of pictures in JPEG, for this test we used a CFast 2.0 card of 515 MB / s.
The day of testing took place in various locations and not always could have charged at the time batteries, caution and foreseeing that it was possible to be discharged without the possibility of having a new I had to change it without having completely exhausted, carrying 1,170 photographs taken. Canon says that with a charged battery can be 1,210, I think it would have exceeded that number, in any case, after a change of battery running out before the 64GB card that the second battery.
Image quality
We went to test this machine. Changing Lights Scandinavian skies, unexpected rain and subsoil of the city were chosen to test whether the new Canon model is so versatile and terrain as it seems scenarios.
The dynamic range of the EOS-1D X Mark II seems to hold quite well to the loss of information on high when we increase the exposure up to three points in Camera Raw. Despite not having lost information of clouds in the sky, that seems to be the limit on an image to ISO 2000.
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The increased resolution did not affect image quality that, despite having its best at low ISO values, pull up very well when faced with little or poorly lit situations.
Armed with the EOS-1D X Mark II and Canon EF 35mm F1.4 lens we enter a an ancient underground water reservoir of the Danish capital to test the ISO sensitivity.
From 25600 ISO began to notice the breakup of the pixel and the noise begins to be quite uncomfortable, still we decided to force up to 51200 ISO and this the result was an image that still maintains an acceptable hue color but a tone bluish black.
Wi-Fi connectivity
The camera cannot connect directly to WiFi, the housing body is made of magnesium alloy and that can make the Wi-Fi does not work properly. Given that this is a camera for professionals who cannot afford to lose the connection, both Canon in the EOS-1D X Mark II and Nikon in the D5 offer the possibility of using an external dispositive to be purchased separately.
It is a high-end camera, aimed at professionals working in nature, sports and action games that require maximum performance. With a performance that left no one indifferent. One of the things that work best in this camera is the tracking mode AF / AE which added to the burst ensures amazing results.
On the other hand, the ease with which you can shoot a moving object collides with the fact that it is not a camera to take in hand; its kilo and peak weight can come to add the weight of the objective that, in cases like the Canon EF 200-400mm f / 4, you can reach 3.6kg.
The EOS-1D X Mark II offers highly natural images and balanced, with a very correct management of color, although this is in taste and one will see them a little more saturated.