Canon 1D X Mark II announced with 4K video support

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Canon has finally announced the long-rumored and sought-after EOS 1D X Mark II, its new flagship DSLR that is here to compete against the Nikon D5.

Just like the gossip mill said, Canon has revealed the 1D X replacement in early 2016, shortly after Nikon introduced the D5. As expected, the new shooter comes packed with numerous improvements over the previous generation.

It will be a fierce battle between Canon and Nikon, as the EOS 1D X Mark II also comes with a new 20-megapixel sensor, new image processor technology, and 4K video recording. However, the EOS unit may have an advantage over the FX-format shooter right out of the box, as it is roughly $500 cheaper.

Canon unveils EOS 1D X Mark II with new 4K-ready 20.2MP sensor

The Japan-based company has added a new 20.2-megapixel full-frame image sensor into its flagship DSLR. The sensor is joined by Dual DIGIC 6+ processors which will allow the camera to shoot up to 16fps in continuous shooting mode with both the focus and exposure locked.

This sensor technology, however, also gives photographers the chance of capturing up to 14fps with continuous focusing and auto exposure. It has been confirmed that the Canon 1D X Mark II can shoot up to 170 RAW frames and as JPEGs as their memory cards can hold.

canon-1d-x-mark-ii-front Canon 1D X Mark II announced with 4K video support News and Reviews

Canon 1D X Mark II is now official with a 20.2-megapixel full-frame sensor.

CFast cards are supported by the new DSLR and this is a good thing because the device is capable of recording movies at 4K resolution and 60fps. When using a CFast 2.0 card, users can capture 4K movies for a lot longer than with a regular CompactFlash card.

As with most 4K-ready cameras, the 1D X Mark II offers the ability to snap JPEG photos while shooting videos. Canon is calling this feature 4K Frame Grab and it extracts an 8.8-megapixel photo from a 4K video.

Its video recording capabilities do not end here. If 4K is too much, then you will learn that this new EOS-series DSLR also captures full HD videos at a frame rate of up to 120fps.

New autofocus technology added into the Canon 1D X Mark II

Canon has revamped the autofocus system in its high-end camera. The new AF system features 61 focus points, 41 of them being cross-type. The frame coverage has increased by 24%, while Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology is supported in Live View mode.

The metering technology now consists of a 360k-pixel RGB + IR sensor, that is capable of providing superior subject tracking and face detection. The list of AF improvements can go on for longer and the company has also confirmed that the Canon 1D X Mark II is capable of focusing in -3EV exposure conditions at its center point.

canon-1d-x-mark-ii-back Canon 1D X Mark II announced with 4K video support News and Reviews

Canon 1D X Mark II employs a high-res 3.2-inch LCD screen on the back.

On the back, users will find a 3.2-inch 1.62-million-dot LCD touchscreen. However, it seems like there is a catch. The touch-sensitive capability only allows users to select the AF point in Live View mode and there is no ability to control other settings.

Either way, when capturing stills, photographers can frame their shots using the built-in optical viewfinder. As expected, there is no built-in flash, but users can attach one via the hot-shoe on top of the OVF.

Weathersealed EOS 1D X Mark II features built-in GPS

Canon 1D X Mark II has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The DSLR comes with a built-in GPS with an electronic compass. This way, it provides accurate localization details, so that users know exactly when and where a photo or video has been captured.

The aforementioned viewfinder has a special tool that allow users to illuminate the AF points in red at all times for better visibility in low-light conditions. A Digital Lens Optimizer is available, too, allowing photographers to get rid of all sorts of aberrations directly in the camera, without the need of post-processing.

canon-1d-x-mark-ii-top Canon 1D X Mark II announced with 4K video support News and Reviews

On top of the Canon 1D X Mark II there is a secondary display for a quick glance at the exposure settings.

Its native ISO sensitivity spans between 100 and 51,200, but it can be expanded between 50 and 409,600. The shutter speed range sits between 30 seconds and 1/8000th of a second, whereas the flash X sync speed is 1/250s.

This is a weathersealed DSLR that is not afraid of dust, rain drops, and low temperatures. It offers USB 3.0, HDMI, microphone, and headphone ports, but no built-in WiFi connectivity.

The latest Canon DSLR flagship measures 158 x 168 x 83 mm / 6.22 x 6.61 x 3.27 inches, while weighing about 1,530 grams / 3.37 lbs. The EOS 1D X Mark II will become available this April for a price of $5,999.

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