The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is a powerful DSLR that is built for speed, sensitivity, and precision. It is ideal for sports photography, wildlife photography, and other demanding and dynamic photographic applications. The 1D X Mark III, which was designed to be the flagship of the EOS system, is distinguished by its enhanced processing capabilities and remarkable speed, which make it well suited for both picture and video applications.
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Thanks to an improved DIGIC X image processor and a newly built 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor, this camera can shoot continuously at up to 16 frames per second with the optical viewfinder or 20 frames per second in live view, with a 1000-shot buffer while shooting both raw and JPEG. As a complement to this speed, the camera has an outstanding native sensitivity range spanning ISO 100-102400, which can be enlarged to ISO 50-819200 to accommodate working in a variety of lighting settings.
Key specifications:
- Updated 20.1MP CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF
- Digic X processor
- HEIF 10-bit recording (supports HDR display at smaller-than-JPEG sizes)
- 16fps bursts (viewfinder), 20fps bursts (Live View) with autofocus
- All-new mirror mechanism to reduce vibration and blackout
- 191-pt viewfinder AF system with new ‘square pixel’ design, 155 cross-type points, Face + head detection, sensitivity to -4 EV, all points support F8 shooting
- Live View AF system is now 90% horiz / 100% vertical coverage with enhanced eye detection, sensitivity down to -6 EV, supports F11 shooting
- New AF ‘Smart Controller’ built into the AF-ON buttons
- 5.5K/60p 12-bit Raw video recording, 4K/60p 4:2:2 10-bit H.265/HEVC recording
- Dual CFExpress card slots for virtually unlimited buffer in most situations
- CIPA rated to 2850 shots with the viewfinder, 610 with Live View using LP-E19 battery
- Shutter rated to 500k shots
- Weighs 1440g
The EOS iTR AF X focusing technology, which employs 191 points for swiftly and precisely acquiring focus, also contributes to the camera’s overall speed. Deep Learning Technology is also used to maintain a crucial focus on moving targets, which allows the Face Tracking and Head Detection AF functionalities to operate properly. Besides that, when operating in live view, Dual Pixel CMOS AF employs 3869 manually selected points and gives a smooth, natural focusing quality similar to that of a camcorder’s autofocus system.
Beyond high-quality still photography, the 1D X Mark III is also an excellent video camera, with the ability to record DCI 4K content internally at up to 60 frames per second with 10-bit, 4:2:2 color as well as Full HD at 120 frames per second and raw 5.5K (5472 x 2886) at 60 frames per second, among other capabilities. Additionally, Movie Digital IS, manual focus peaking, and Focus Guide may be utilized in conjunction with the recording process, and Canon Log Gamma can be employed for additional color grading control in post-production.
One of the most important characteristics of the 1D-series cameras is their sturdy and strong body construction, which works in tandem with their image capabilities. This camera is constructed of magnesium alloy and is weather-sealed to protect against dust and moisture, making it ideal for operating in challenging settings. In addition, the body has two CFexpress memory card ports to accommodate the high-speed continuous shooting rates and high-resolution video capabilities of the camera.
There is a new mirror drive system that reduces blackout in the optical pentaprism viewfinder. In addition, there is a touchscreen LCD with a resolution of 3.2″ and 2.1m dots that allows for intuitive playback and menu navigation. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS are also built-in, allowing for smooth wireless networking, while an Ethernet connector on the motherboard provides for speedier wired LAN file transmission.
Full-frame sensor with 20.1MP resolution and DIGIC X image processor
The combination of a redesigned 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor and the DIGIC X image processor produces images with exceptional quality, as well as exceptional speed and sensitivity. The sensor itself is linked with a newly developed low pass filter, which aids in the elimination of moiré and another aliasing, resulting in more consistent picture quality in the final image. It is possible to shoot continuously at up to 20 frames per second in live view or 16 frames per second with the viewfinder, and the buffer enables for raw+JPEG bursts of up to 1000 frame sequences using the sensor and CPU. As well as providing a fast shutter time, the sensor-processor combination also provides a large native sensitivity range of ISO 100-102400, which can be increased further to ISO 50-819200 to accommodate shooting in a variety of lighting circumstances.
Autofocus with EOS iTR AF X and Dual Pixel CMOS AF are included.
EOS iTR AF X autofocus technology, which works in concert with the newly designed image system, utilizes 191 points to swiftly and precisely acquire focus on subjects. In all, there are 191 points, with 155 of them being cross-type points, which perform well in a range of lighting circumstances and give enhanced accuracy on a variety of subjects. Additionally, Deep Learning Technology is used in this AF system to provide more precise tracking abilities for subjects, such as Head and Face Detection, enabling more accurate subject recognition.
If you’re filming video or shooting in live view, you’ll be using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which has 3869 manually selectable focusing points and 525 automatic locations. This focusing technology provides smooth and rapid focusing performance in a way comparable to that of a camcorder, which is similar to how a camcorder obtains focus. When two independent photodiodes are integrated into each pixel, a large and dense network of phase-detection collecting components is created across a majority of the image sensor, which reduces focus chasing and allows for faster, more direct control of focus placement. Although it is designed for still pictures, this focusing system is equally adept at acquiring critical focus on moving things, making it particularly well suited for shooting and monitoring moving subjects to ensure that critical focus is achieved with each shot.
Using Movie Servo Autofocus when recording video, you may achieve smooth and natural focusing when switching between several objects of varying distances within a scene. You can also customize the tracking sensitivity and speed, as well as the importance is given to Face Tracking when shooting video. Rack focus is made possible thanks to the Touch AF technology, which allows you to adjust the focus by merely touching anything within the scene on the touchscreen in an easy manner. It is also possible to achieve better subject tracking in movies, thanks to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system’s ability to detect subjects and keep focus even while operating in rapidly changing or crowded environments.
Raw video in DCI 4K and 5.5K resolutions
The 1D X Mark III is also capable of internally recording DCI 4K video at 60 frames per second with 10-bit 4:2:2 color and raw 5.5K video, in addition to still images. DCI 4K recording is available with either the whole sensor area or a cropped section of the sensor, and the Canon Log Gamma mode allows greater color grading flexibility than previous models. Additionally, Full HD recording at a frame rate of up to 120 frames per second is possible for use in slow-motion playback.
Both All-I and IPB compression modes are available, as well as the ability to autofocus while shooting up to 5.5K raw at 30 frames per second or cropped DCI 4K at 60 frames per second with the camera. When employing the full-frame area, 4K autofocus is limited to a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second. Additionally, features such as Movie Digital IS, peaking, and a focus guide may be utilized to aid in the production of steady and crisp recordings.
Body
- An improved optical pentaprism viewfinder, in conjunction with an upgraded mirror drive system, results in less blackout in the field of vision.
- The rear 3.2″ 2.1m-dot LCD incorporates a touchscreen interface, allowing for easy control over playing and navigation through the menu system.
- In addition to supporting high-resolution video recording and continuous shooting speeds, the dual CFexpress memory card slots provide a versatile way of storing and sorting different file kinds.
- On the rear of the body, there is a Smart Controller that has a touch-sensitive button that allows for rapid and easy focus point selection while shooting. When compared to prior generation 1D cameras, the LP-E19 rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides much better performance.
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS are all built in, allowing for flexible wireless control and geotagging capabilities, as well as the ability to add IPTC tags to individual files.
- In terms of physical, wired connection, the N3 remote has an inbuilt USB Type-C port as well as a tiny HDMI, headphone, microphone, and Ethernet port. When used in conjunction with the optional WFT-E9A Wireless File Transmitter, file transfers via wireless LANs are significantly quicker.
- Dust and weather resistance are provided by the magnesium alloy body design for operating in adverse weather conditions.
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III Specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $6499 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Large SLR |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5472 x 3648 |
| Other resolutions | 4368 x 2912, 3648 x 2432, 2736 x 1824 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic X |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-102400 (expands to 50-819200) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 819200 |
| White balance presets | 7 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (5 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)HEIF (10-bit)Raw / C-Raw (CR3) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 191 |
| Number of cross-type focus points | 155 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,100,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.76× |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speedContinuousLow-speedSilent singleSilent high-speed continuousSilent low-speed continuous |
| Continuous drive | 20.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotSpot AF-areaPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual CFexpress type B |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (HDMI mini) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired, wireless, smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Built-in |
| Battery description | LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & dual charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 2850 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1440 g (3.17 lb / 50.79 oz) |
| Dimensions | 158 x 168 x 83 mm (6.22 x 6.61 x 3.27″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in |
Verdict
When it comes to its class, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is the camera to beat right now. It produces excellent photos immediately out of the camera, has a dynamic range that is among the best in its class, and is a capable video camera. Although it may not perform as well as some of its competitors, its autofocus topic tracking is on par with or better than many of them. If you’re looking for a robust camera that can keep up with just about everything you throw at it, go no further than this model.
