Canon EOS-1D X
Continuing our occasional series, we celebrate cameras that became modern classics soon after they launched
It’s the turn of the former Canon flagship to grace our Modern Classics series
The EOS-1D X ascended to Canon’s throne in March 2012, deposing both the EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS-1D Mark IV in the process. The former was a comparatively sluggish, 21.1MP full-frame camera maxing out at 5fps, whereas the latter was a 16MP APS-H format model with a much faster 16fps continuous drive rate. Combining an 18MP sensor with dual Digic 5+ image processors, the EOS-1D X delivers full-frame images at a rate of up to 14fps, satisfying even the most demanding professional photographers while celebrating Canon’s manufacturing milestone of 50 million EOS camera along the way. The camera features an additional Digic 4 processor, dedicated to autofocus and metering systems. These are both formidable facets of the camera’s overall prowess. The 61-point autofocus system boasts 21 cross-type points and five ultra-highprecision diagonal cross-type points at the centre. It also features EOS iTR AF (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition AF), with options based on colour information and facial recognition. These are linked to the 100,000 pixel RGB metering sensor, for enhanced accuracy and consistency in exposures.
Typical of the EOS-1D line of cameras, this one has the build quality of a battleship and features an integral vertical grip, with duplicated controls that are perfectly positioned to make shooting feel equally natural in landscape and portrait orientation.
Performance
The autofocus and metering systems live up to their billing, tracking even fast and erratically moving objects and capturing them with reliable exposure settings. Low-light performance is better than in any previous EOS digital camera, thanks to a redesigned image sensor with physically larger pixels and gapless micro-lenses, able to gather more light. The net result is low-noise images even at very high ISO settings.
The regular 12fps high-speed drive rate is highly impressive, and you can push this to 14fps if you shoot in JPEG mode and don’t need continuous
“The Canon EOS1D X satisfies even the most demanding photographers”
autofocus and metering after the first shot in a sequence. The shutter mechanism is particularly durable too, featuring carbon fibre blades and offering a rating of 400,000 cycles.