Canon Announces the EOS-1D X Mark II: 20MP, 4K60p Video, ISO 409,600, and CFast 2.0

Just behind Nikon's announcement of the D5, Canon comes with their own anxiously-awaited update to their flagship DSLR: the new EOS-1D X Mark II. Building on the experience of both the 1D X and the 1D C, the 1D X Mark II features a modest increase in resolution to 20 megapixels, instead counting its improvements mostly in the areas of image quality, autofocus, and speed.

Of note, native ISO performance of the 1D X Mark II stays the same at ISO 100-51,200 while its expanded range increases one stop to 409,600. For those that may have wished for more, you have plenty to be pleased about within other areas of performance. And there's still room for wishfully thinking that Canon is taking this body's release as a way to more accurately state its ISO performance in relation to its signal-to-noise ratio in relation to that of other manufacturers. Here's to hoping.

On another note, the Mark II features new, dual Digic 6+ processors that allow for processing 14 raw or JPEG frames per second (and up to 16 in Live View). Helping these high frame rates is a shutter with carbon fiber blades that is built to withstand 400,000 exposures.

These processors can also churn out 4K video clips at 60 frames per second for, get this, as long as it takes to fill up your card, no clip-stitching necessary. Canon does this thanks to the CFast 2.0 card slot in the Mark II (the other is a traditional CF card slot). Because of the exFAT file system used by CFast 2.0 and the high speeds at which it can record, there's no need to split up clips or stop recording at any point, even when shooting at full 4K resolutions and 60 frames per second or at 120 frames per second in 1080p. Shooting at full speed, the buffer will allow recording of up to 170 raw frames on CFast 2.0 cards or 73 frames to CF cards. (Update: Unfortunately, according to the video just added, it seems that all 4K recording from this body comes directly from the center pixels of the sensor, meaning you won't get the full angle of view you're used to getting from your lenses. While this is common in various cameras -- especially DSLRs with video -- some may have expected 4K down-sampled from the full frame.)

Canon also promises continuous autofocus while shooting stills and video, regardless of the frame rate, thanks to its dual-pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF. A 360,000-pixel metering sensor helps with subject recognition and tracking across the 61-point High Density Reticular AF II system with 41 cross-type points that give improved center point focusing sensitivity to -3 EV and compatibility down to f/8.

One feature likely to be undervalued is Canon's new in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer technology that allows for in-body lens aberration and diffraction correction for every shot, naturally saving one more step in post.

Naturally, the 1D X Mark II is weather sealed, even at its connection points, as is the available WFT-E8A wireless transmitter. As an added bonus, GPS functionality is built-in, including an awesome auto time-syncing feature that syncs with Universal Time Code via satellites.

It's hard to compete with numbers above 3 million when it comes to ISO. But given further refinements in the body design (helped by a rear touchscreen), virtually unlimited video recording capabilities, continuous accurate autofocus in every scenario, the addition of a card slot that offers faster media, and ever-increasing frame rates, the 1D X Mark II should easily become the Canon pros' tool of choice.

Canon shooters, what do you think? Worth your money? Everything you'd hoped? Let us know!

The EOS-1D X Mark II will be available for $5,999 and will ship in April. Pre-order yours here.