Canon EOS 1D Mark IV In Depth Review

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV In Depth Review

Introduced on October 20th, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV came out from behind the curtain with a good deal of pressure placed on it. The problem for the EOS 1D Mark IV is that its predecessor, the EOS 1D Mark III, went through something of roller coaster with its well discussed autofocusing issues, while its competitor, the Nikon D3, won over many frustrated photographers with both impressive AF performance and amazing low light capabilities. And so, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV now has to step into the limelight and restore the luster to Canon’s pro series, while at the same time now having to go to toe to toe with the newly introduced Nikon D3s.

So what has Canon done to impress professional photographers? For starters, the EOS 1D Mark IV gets an all new AF system, with 45 points, 39 of them being the cross-type variety. Next, the 1D4 gets a nice bump in resolution, up to 16 megapixels from the 1D3’s 10.1 megapixels, but still on the same and somewhat strange APS-H sensor which offers an unconventional 1.3x crop. Incredibly the Mark IV is able to maintain its predecessor’s frame rate of 10 fps, with the help of dual DIGIC IV processors. Also incredible, the Mark IV’s ISO range that extends to an eye-popping ISO 102,400, which just so happens to be the same range found on the competing Nikon D3s. Finally, the Mark IV gets Canon’s robust video recording options, including 1080p and 720p video with selectable frame rates.

On paper anyway, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV sounds a bit more exciting than the Nikon D3s, which looks like more of a refresh than the Mark IV, but Nikon’s task was simpler, tweak and improve an already highly regarded camera responsible for perhaps reducing the amount of long white lenses seen on the sidelines. The challenges for the Mark IV are more daunting, erase photographer’s angst from the Mark III, and face down the Nikon D3s. Is it up to the task? Read on in our in depth review of the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV.

Availability

The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is available for order at B&H Photo.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Digital Camera at B&H Photo Get the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the following links at B&H Photo Video. Your purchases there help us continue to provide you with more great content. Camera Body (only) $4999

Competition

The most clear competitor to the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is the Nikon D3s, at least when it comes to the intended market for both cameras. From a hardware point of view, the 2 cameras are a bit challenging to compare exactly, given the Nikon’s full frame sized sensor and the Mark IV’s smaller APS-H sensor. Still the cameras are intended to perform similar roles, and outside of sensor sizes, the specifications of the two cameras are quite similar.

Key Specifications

Camera	Nikon D3s	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Price (street est.)	$5199	$4999
Sensor Resolution	12.1 megapixels	16.1 megapixels
Sensor Size	36 x 23.9 mm	27.9 x 18.6mm
ISO Range	100-102400	100-102400
AF	51 points, 15 cross-type	45 points, 39 cross-type
Weather Sealing	Yes	Yes
LCD	3 inch, 921K	3 inch, 920K
Continuous Shooting	9 fps (at full size)	10 fps
HD Movie	720p HD video at 24 fps, connector for external microphone	720p HD video at 50fps/60fps, 1080p HD video at 30fps/25fps/24fps, connector for external microphone
Viewfinder	100% coverage, 0.7x magnification	100%, .76x magnification
Dimensions	6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4" (160 x 157 x 88 mm )	6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1" (156 x 156.6 x 79.9mm)
Weight	44 oz. (1240 g)	41.6 oz (1180g)

Highlights

A look at some of the feature highlights to be found on the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV.

1.098 x 0.73 in./ 27.9 x 18.6 mm (APS-H size CMOS sensor)	Canon claims sensor improvements like closer gapless microlenses are the biggest reason for improved ISO performance.
Dual DIGIC IV processors help the EOS 1D Mark IV fire off 14-bit files at 10 fps.	Magnesium alloy construction and 76 points of sealing.
The EOS 1D Mark IV is the first Canon to receive their newest implementation of auto lighting optimizer.	The AF unit promises to help improve autofocus performance of the EOS 1D Mark IV's predecessor.
The 45 point AF system now provides 39 cross-type points.	You can select from several different AF point layouts.
The AF system even keeps track of AF points through changes in camera orientation, moving them accordingly.	The EOS 1D Mark IV uses Canon's integrated cleaning system, including a self cleaning sensor unit.
The EOS 1D Mark IV features the same extensive HD recording options as the EOS 7D, including framerate choices.	The FEL button can be programmed to activate movie recording, even if live view has been turned on.

Continue Reading This Review:

1. Introduction
2. Specifications
3. Camera Design
4. Interface
5. Performance
6. Image Quality
7. Playback and Video
8. Verdict
9. Image Samples

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Fils-de-Daguerre says:

   March 3, 2010 at 4:23 pm

   Nice review!

   Now if I can scrape together five grand…

   (Oh yeah, first you gotta get me a 7D ;]…)

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     March 3, 2010 at 5:31 pm

     Thanks,

     How about a guide to using the 7D, would that help? Also should have some comparisons between the T2i, T1i, 7D, and 5DII up tonight or tomorrow. Maybe the T2i works for you?

     reply
     • 

       Fils-de-Daguerre says:

       March 3, 2010 at 5:54 pm

       No. I want something with (pardon the expression) “a bit more body”.

       If I’d be using the basic 18-55 then yeah, the T2i would be better. But I’m planning on using some long lenses (I mostly do zoo and wildlife shots), plus the T2i AF can’t compare.

       I have friends’ fathers that work at B&H, so I can shave off 10% (or it might be 15%) for ya.

       When I make some dengiy I’ll buy you the MacBook.

       reply
       • 

         Patrick says:

         March 4, 2010 at 5:42 pm

         I hear ya, I’ve been walking around with the 70-200mm f/1.8 IS on the T2i, and it looks…well, wrong. And yeah, the grip doesn’t provide the right leverage really for bigger lenses, though the IQ is exactly the same from what I can see.

         reply
         • 

           Fils-de-Daguerre says:

           March 4, 2010 at 9:08 pm

           So I’m getting an EOS 7D with a lens on April 20th, right? From “Patrick Dean”!

           With static subjects, yeah, the IQ should be the same. With moving subjects? T2i burst rate and AF fall short.

           P.S. Where’s this comparison y’promised?
2. 

   Abbas uddin says:

   March 27, 2010 at 4:14 am

   Nice, Camera but I’m using Sony.

   reply
3. 

   Quazi Ahmed Hussain says:

   July 22, 2010 at 12:09 am

   Since Nikon caters to photographers’ needs; they are likely to continue holding their edge over Canon rivals for the foreseeable future. This is mainly because they focus on issues that shooters raise like good AF system, low light performance and IQ. Nikon is the best in all these areas at present. Canon can never catch them unless the high pixel count witch gets off their brains.

   To Nikon’s discredit is the exorbitant price of their high-end pro lenses. Many Canon users can afford and buy some of the “L” lenses at affordable prices that produce excellent results. If Nikon can compete in that area in future; they will hold major share of the DSLR market by a big margin.

   reply
4. 

   Patrick says:

   March 5, 2010 at 5:47 pm

   The 7D is a pretty nice camera, I’ve got one again for a week or so, and I can’t say enough about its ergonomics and performance. Feels great and really blazes with that frame rate.
   The comparison is coming, I’m like half way through making it look good.

   reply
5. 

   Fils-de-Daguerre says:

   March 6, 2010 at 8:11 pm

   So… lemme have one as a birthday gift!

   For my 19th!

   reply