News - Canon tempts serious photographers with all-new EOS-1D X

[HEXUS]

Consolidating the high-end range.

Read more.

[cam1986]

That looks awesome. Very pricey too!

[Tarinder]

Not much use to Joe Average, but this one's no pricier than the outgoing 1Ds Mk III

[HSK]

damn!

[j.o.s.h.1408]

nice camera. only for the pro's

[kalniel]

nice camera. only for the pro's

Nah, I think it's nice too

[Cabidge]

I think it's nice too

[miniyazz]

Want. Will never afford, however. What I am looking forward to, however, is some of these improved specs filtering down to the lesser models.

[Funkstar]

I wonder if not only technology will filter down to lower models, but ideas too. I'm mainly referring to the high sensitivity and low noise aspects of the sensor in this. That would be fantastic in a 7D II

[miniyazz]

But the major contributor to its high sensitivity/low noise abilities are due to being a full-frame sensor - something the 7D will likely never be as that gap is filled by the 5D II.

And the extra technology they've used for its low noise abilities is the concept of 'gapless' pixels - so there is a microlens above each pixel, refracting the light towards each pixel, so every bit of light that reaches the sensor is directed towards the nearest pixel rather than some being lost to the gap between the pixels (as in earlier designs). And this technology is already in use in the 60D (and therefore also the 7D, since they use the same sensor - and also the 550D and 600D). This was a major reason for the much superior ISO performance with the 550D (which had this technology) vs the 500D (which didn't) - despite the higher resolution, and therefore smaller pixels and a lower signal to noise ratio.

In short, I'm not hopeful for any significant improvements in signal to noise ratios over what we now currently have, in either the APS-C or FF sensor sizes, as to get better high ISO performance will need lower resolution sensors (so the pixels can be bigger).

Sorry to poop on your parade

[Funkstar]

But the major contributor to its high sensitivity/low noise abilities are due to being a full-frame sensor - something the 7D will likely never be as that gap is filled by the 5D II.

...[snip]...

In short, I'm not hopeful for any significant improvements in signal to noise ratios over what we now currently have, in either the APS-C or FF sensor sizes, as to get better high ISO performance will need lower resolution sensors (so the pixels can be bigger).

There's more to it than just the larger photo sites of the full frame sensor and the introduction of gapless micro mirrors.

• New photodiode construction has resulted in an improved photoelectric conversion rate that gives increased light sensitivity.
• Improved transistors inside the pixels are said to make SNR higher
• The first time that gapless microlenses have been employed on a Canon full-frame sensor.
• 14fps speed is achieved by a 16-channel analog output with two-vertical-pixel simultaneous readout. The 16 outputs are muxed in 4 ADCs siting on a separate image processor chip Digic 5+. It is around 1.4 times faster than the previous generation EOS-1D Mark IV and said to be a first for a 35mm full-frame digital sensor. At ISO 32,000 or higher the frame rate is reduced to 10fps.

http://image-sensors-world.blogspot....nsor-news.html (Via http://www.canonrumors.com/)

The first two is what I'm referring to. These technologies could easily make it to their other sensors, and along with DIGIC 5+ should give increased sensitivity and image quality on an APS-C sensor.

[miniyazz]

Good good, there is still hope then

Unfortunately it's hard to assess how much benefit comes from improved circuitry and how much from bigger photo sensors

[j.o.s.h.1408]

I wonder if not only technology will filter down to lower models, but ideas too. I'm mainly referring to the high sensitivity and low noise aspects of the sensor in this. That would be fantastic in a 7D II

there are rumours of a entry level full frame coming out

[Strings]

That looks amazing. Out of my price range, sadly.