On 7 January 2020, Canon announced a new professional flagship DSLR camera: The EOS-1D X Mark III. Packed with the latest Canon technologies, the new full-frame camera seeks to provide paramount image quality, speed and precision, boasting a remarkable jump in both its still and video shooting specifications compared to its predecessor. In Part 2 of this 2-part article, we explore its groundbreaking video capabilities and network functions. (Click here for Part 1: Still Shooting Performance)

 

4K uncropped, 5.5K RAW movie recording: An excellent cinema camera

The movie shooting capabilities of the EOS-1D X Mark III also get a huge upgrade. The ability to create shallow focus effects is a given on the camera’s 35mm full-frame image sensor, but in addition to that, you can also take full advantage of the large sensor area to shoot cropless 4K movies oversampled from 5.5K, as well as 5.5K RAW movies in-camera. No crop means that at any given 35mm-equivalent focal length, the angle-of-view will be the same as what you get during still shooting, which is an advantage especially when shooting at wide angles.

Able to record in both the 4K DCI  (4096×2160) standard widely-used in filmmaking and the 4K UHD (3840×2160) standard used in broadcasting, the EOS-1D X Mark III also supports internal recording in Canon Log 4:2:2 10-bit. Whether you are shooting a movie or footage for broadcast, you can be sure that the EOS-1D X Mark III will step up to your needs.

The difference between various video recording standards

A: DCI 4K (oversampled from 5.5K)
B: UHD 4K (oversampled)
C: DCI 4K (cropped)

Oversampling processing based on Cinema EOS System technologies

When shooting 4K DCI movies without crop, RGB data in 5.5K (5.5K red, 5.5K green, 5.5K blue) is first generated, and then downward-resized into 4K data. This is the same oversampling technology found on Canon’s Digital Cinema EOS system.

You can also choose to shoot in cropped 4K. Whether you choose to shoot cropped or uncropped 4K, you can enjoy footage that is more detail-rich than on the EOS-1D X Mark II thanks to the new High Detail Low-Pass Filter with 16-point separation and high-resolution sharpness processing by the DIGIC X image processor.

High specs to assist creative storytelling through video

In addition to the upgraded CMOS sensor and DIGIC X image processor, the use of CFexpress cards, capable of a very high write speed, also contributes to the higher movie shooting performance of the EOS-1D X Mark III. With its compact size relative to digital cinema cameras and its ability to record 5.5K RAW files without an external recorder, the EOS-1D X Mark III makes an enticing tool for getting creative with video.

The many recording options on the EOS-1D X Mark III is particularly attractive when shooting scenes that require extensive editing. 5.5K RAW files created by the EOS-1D X Mark III can be edited in Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software, allowing you to change the look of the footage without image quality deterioration by adjusting white balance, Picture Style and other parameters, just like how you would edit the RAW file of a still image. It is also possible to extract an approximately 16-megapixel still frame from 5.5K RAW (5472×2886)60 fps/50 fps footage and export it as JPEG, TIFF or HEIF file. 

There are also plans for plug-in compatibility with Canon’s Cinema RAW development software and software by other manufacturers, which will improve the efficiency of the editing workflow.

Main recording standards supported
*Frame rates: PAL/NTSC

●MP4 H.264 (YCbCr 4:2:0/ 8bit)
No Crop: DCI 4K 50p/60p (ALL-I/IPB) (MF only)
No Crop: DCI 4K 25p/24p (PAL) or 30p/25p/24p (NTSC) (ALL-I/IPB) (AF)
Over Sampling: UHD 4K 50p/60p (ALL-I/IPB) (MF only)
Over Sampling: UHD 4K 25p/30p (ALL-I/IPB) (AF)
Crop: DCI 4K 50p/60p(ALL-I/IPB)

●MP4 HEVC Canon-Log (YCbCr 4:2:2/ 10bit)
No Crop: DCI 4K 50p/60p (ALL-I/IPB) (MF only)
No Crop: DCI 4K 25p/24p (PAL) or 30p/25p/24p (NTSC) (ALL-I/IPB) (AF)
Over Sampling: UHD 4K 50p/60p (ALL-I/IPB) (MF only)
Over Sampling: UHD 4K 25p/30p (ALL-I/IPB) (AF)
Crop: DCI 4K 50p/60p(ALL-I/IPB)

●RAW (12 bit)
No Crop: 4K DCI 50p/60p (MF only)
No Crop: DCI 4K 25p/24pP (PAL) or 30p/25p/24p (NTSC) (with AF)

The camera also supports HDMI output to 4K/FHD (non-compressed Canon-Log / YCbCr 4:2:2/ 10bit), external recorder recording, and output to an external display monitor. High frame rate shooting at Full HD 100p/120p is also possible.

Precise focusing with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, including Eye Detection AF

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which uses all pixels on the CMOS image sensor for phase detection, is also active during movie shooting*. In fact, Movie Servo AF has been enhanced due to the faster readout from the CMOS sensor and faster processing by DIGIC X. It automatically makes the necessary adjustments to AF speed and tracking characteristics to ensure smooth, reliable subject tracking, making it possible to shoot without a camera assistant.

The high definition of 4K movies means that it can be very obvious if the focus is slightly off, but the high precision of Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which includes features such as Eye Detection AF, helps you to easily lock focus even in difficult shooting situations, improving efficiency and the quality of the footage. During manual focusing, distance data from Dual Pixel CMOS AF is used for the Focus Guide, which displays the focus position to aid focusing accuracy.

* Only MF is possible for: 
- Cropless oversampled 4K DCI 50p/60p and 4K UHD 50p/60p
- 4K DCI 50p/60p RAW

 

Improved operability

The approximately 2.1-million dot high definition rear LCD panel on the EOS-1D X Mark III provides a clear view of the scene. While touch operations were available only for AF control on the EOS-1D X Mark II, almost all menus can be activated by touch operation on the EOS-1D X Mark III, including playback and soft keyboard.

The EOS-1D X Mark III also features seven illuminated buttons for easier shooting in the dark: MENU, INFO, Q, Playback, Index/Magnify/Reduce, Erase and Protect/Voice memo buttons.

 

Enhanced networking capabilities

The EOS-1D X Mark III is the first EOS-1D X series camera to feature built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity. This allows users to transfer photos and videos to a smartphone and carry out remote control shooting using a paired smartphone installed with the Canon Camera Connect app.

Pair with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E9 for faster transmissions, more secure file transfer

Compatible with IEEE 802.11ac/2x2 MIMO, Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E9 has two Dual Band-compatible antennas that are capable of high-speed transmission of up to 270Mbps. It also supports FTP/FTPS/SFTP protocols, allowing you to connect to high-security servers. It has a maximum transmission range of 150m. 

Tip: Use the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for simple, nearby remote operations. Use Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E9 on larger assignments to carry out faster, more secure transmission and remote operations over a longer distance.

The EOS-1D X Mark III also supports an improved secure LAN connection that is capable of a transmission speed of up to 700Mbps.

 

Leaner and meaner: The perfect balance between light weight and durability

The EOS-1D X Mark III may contain huge improvements in specifications over its predecessor, but it is around 90g lighter. This is because the developers reviewed each and every component and integrated the electronic circuits, streamlining mechanical design to ensure that non-essential parts were eliminated.

EOS-1D X Mark II: approx. 1,530g
EOS-1D X Mark III: approx. 1,440g

 

This endurance extends beyond the body build. Although the EOS-1D X Mark III uses the same LP-E19 battery as the EOS-1D X Mark II, it can shoot more than twice the number of shots on a single charge* due to improved power consumption management. The shutter unit of the EOS-1D X Mark III has also been designed to pass a 500,000-shutter cycle endurance test in consideration of the increase in the number of shots due to the improved continuous shooting capabilities.

*For still shooting.  

It is this resilience and reliability, in addition to speed, precision and imaging power, that makes the EOS-1D X Mark III fit for the pros.

EOS-1D X Mark III

 

Key specifications

- Up to 16 fps (OVF)/20 fps (Live View) continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
- 191-point high-resolution AF sensor (OVF)
- Native ISO speed up to 102,400, expandable to 819,200
- 20.1MP CMOS sensor + DIGIC X image processor
- Support for 10-bit HEIF recording (HDR PQ)
- 5.5K 50p/60p cropless in-camera RAW movie shooting
- Dual CFexpress card slots
- Canon Log (YCbCr 4:2:2, 10-bit)
- Wi-fi/Bluetooth low energy connectivity

 

Sample Images

EOS-1D X Mark III/ EF600mm f/4L IS III USM/ FL: 600mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/2000 sec, EV -1)/ ISO 1250/ WB: Auto

EOS-1D X Mark III/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM/ FL: 24mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/60 sec, EV -1)/ ISO 200/ WB: Auto

EOS-1D X Mark III/ EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM/ FL: 400mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/2000 sec)/ ISO 160/ WB: Auto

EOS-1D X Mark III/ EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM/ FL: 85mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/500 sec)/ ISO 800/ WB: Auto

 

Find out more about the EOS-1D X Mark III in: 
Master the Game: EOS-1D X Mark III - Flagship Full-frame DSLR

 

---

---