Full Test: Canon EOS-1D X Mk II
Canon’s top-end DSLR looks set to be the choice of pro sports and news photographers at this summer’s Olympic games…
See what new tricks Canon has managed to shoehorn into its top-of-the-line professional-level Mark II camera
Canon’s EOS-1D X is a widely respected camera used by professional news and sports photographers, but with the Olympic games around the corner, Canon has given it a significant revamp and introduced the 1D X Mark II to keep its customers happy.
The headline improvements include a hike in the maximum continuous shooting rate, an improved autofocus system and the ability to shoot 4K (4096x2160) video at up to 60fps. Like the camera it replaces, the EOS-1D X Mark II has a fullframe sensor, but its resolution has been raised from 18.1 million effective pixels to 20.2 million. Having fewer pixels than the 5DS means that each of the 1D X Mark II’S photoreceptors is larger and therefore able to capture more light, so images are likely to have less noise. Nevertheless, Canon has kept the 1D X Mark II’S standard sensitivity range the same as the 1D X’s at ISO100-51,200. However, the expansion settings take it to ISO50-409,600 whereas the 1D X tops out at ISO204,800.
Thanks to two Digic 6+ processors, the 1D X Mark II can shoot at up to 14 frames per second (fps) with full exposure metering and autofocus operation (however it drops to 10fps at ISO102,400). This can be maintained for up to 170 Raw files and unlimited JPEGS. And if you shoot in Live View mode, with the focus and exposure set at the start of the sequence, it’s even possible to shoot at 16fps.
Like the 1D X, the 1D X Mark II has a 61-point autofocus system with 41 cross-type sensors and five dual cross-type sensors. However, the AF area has been expanded to cover more of the scene and there’s a new tracking system that improves the hit rate with subjects that move erratically.
Canon has had Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology on APS-C format cameras like the 70D and 80D, but this is the first time that the technology has appeared in a full-frame camera. It means that the 1D X Mark II has phase-detection autofocus points on the sensor to enable faster focusing in Live View and video modes. However, because fast focusing isn’t always an advantage when recording video, it’s possible to reduce the speed.
Build and handling
One of the most distinguishing features of this 1D-type of camera is
the twin-grip arrangement, that makes shooting upright images more comfortable. Significantly with the 1D X Mark II, when you reach out with your thumb for the mini-joystick controller to shift the AF point, it’s in the same location whichever grip you’re holding, making it easier to find.
One of the most notable changes that the Mark II introduces over the original 1D X is that the 3.2-inch 1,620k-dot screen is touch-sensitive. However, the touch control is only used in Live View mode for setting AF point, and in video mode for turning on or off the continuous autofocusing (as well as setting AF point). That’s a shame because, although the main menu options may be a little small for selecting with a finger on the screen, the Quick Menu is larger and could be navigated by touch.
On the subject of the Quick Menu, this has been made customizable, which is useful. However, those who swap frequently between stills and video shooting may wish that it was possible to create two custom Quick Menus, one for each shooting mode.
Both the 1D X and 1D Mk II have 3.2-inch Clear View II TFT screens, but the original camera’s has 1,040,000 dots while the Mark II’S has 1,620,000 dots. Those extra 580,000 dots make quite a difference, the screen is the clearest and sharpest we’ve ever seen.
Performance
The image on the screen of the 1D X Mark II gives a very good impression of the shots it captures, and they don’t disappoint when you open them on a large computer screen. The level of detail is excellent through much of the sensitivity range, and both exposure and colours are generally accurate and pleasing.
Examining JPEG images captured at ISO102,400 makes it pretty clear why this has been kept as an expansion setting; some details are very mushy at 100%. And even when sized to make A3 prints some areas have a slight diffuse glow. The camera also struggles with reds with some gradation being lost.
Drop down to ISO51,200 and things pick up quite a bit. Without any noise reduction applied the Raw files have a little bit of visible chroma noise when sized to make A3 prints, but there’s a good level of detail. Meanwhile the simultaneously captured JPEGS have no visible noise at the same size, but a little of the detail is lost. Post-capture adjustment enables you to find a happy medium with the Raw files.
While these results are good for ISO51,200, we would keep the sensitivity to ISO25,600 or lower because both the Raw and JPEG files look better with less noise and more detail respectively.
The main competition for Canon’s 1D X Mark II is the Nikon D5 and it’s interesting to compare the results. Throughout the sensitivity range the results from the D5 look quite a bit sharper at 100% on-screen – both the Raw files and the JPEGS. However, the Nikon camera’s files look over-sharpened in some areas – even the Raw files without any post-capture treatment. By comparison the 1D X Mark II’S Raw files look soft, but they sharpen up nicely with post-capture adjustments and it’s possible to avoid them looking over-sharpened.
Step up to the EOS-1D X Mark II’S maximum expanded ISO setting
Phase-detection autofocus points on the sensor to enable faster focusing in Live View
We had no trouble shooting moving subjects in a wide variety of conditions The Canon Magazine
(ISO409,600) and the results are pretty terrible from both cameras. The JPEGS look fuzzy while the Raw files have lots of coloured speckling. We’d avoid the setting with either camera (except in emergencies).
Canon has upped its autofocus game for the 1D X Mark II and the system performs brilliantly. We had no trouble shooting moving subjects in a wide variety of conditions, including very low light. While the camera does a reasonable job of detecting and tracking a subject in Automatic selection AF mode, using one of the point or Zone AF modes is a safer bet if you can keep the active area or zone over the subject.
Metering is taken care of by the EOS ISA (Intelligent Subject Analysis) system, which has a dedicated 360,000-pixel RGB+IR sensor that divides the scene into 216 zones. We found it very reliable in a wide range of conditions and there were no occasions where we had to apply exposure compensation unexpectedly.
Canon has led the way with stills DSLRS producing video, and the 1D X Mark II doesn’t disappoint. In the default Standard picture style footage look natural – just like the stills – and there’s a good detail with noise being controlled well. The autofocus system also works well, adjusting swiftly (when that option is selected) and smoothly even in remarkably low light.