Photography News: After an early reveal, Canon has just announced the final details on its latest flagship, the EOS-1D X Mark III. This top-of-the-line DSLR offers outstanding speed and a durable construction as well as an impressive set of video options.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera

January 06, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--B&H Photo would like to share the announcement of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR. Deemed “The Ultimate EOS” by Canon, this new release takes the top spot in the brand’s camera lineup and is an ideal pick for professionals, especially those photographing sports and wildlife. Another major feature of this camera is video, as it has the best set of options ever seen in a Canon DSLR.

Canon redesigned the sensor for the 1D X Mark III. The new 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor is paired with the latest DIGIC X image processor for improved speed, performance, and efficiency. This allows for a sensitivity range of ISO 100–102400, which can be extended to ISO 50–819200. Also, the sensor has a new low-pass filter that will maintain sharpness while minimizing various artifacts. This combination is now able to capture images in the HEIF format with HDR metadata.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera

An updated image-processing engine offers greater efficiency, allowing for extended battery life. The processor also offers improved speeds of up to 16 fps with the optical viewfinder or 20 fps in live view. Another important upgrade comes to the buffer, allowing for up to 1000 RAW images to be captured in a single burst. CFexpress is the latest standard card type and will help offload the data being created by the camera. The Canon 1D X Mark III is equipped with two CFexpress card slots.

Autofocus is another area with great improvements, starting with a dedicated DIGIC 8 processor to run the system. The standard AF offering is a 191-point phase-detect sensor with 155 cross-type points. This setup can also detect faces and heads for improved accuracy when photographing people. Live view can make use of Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 525 areas for quickly and accurately locking onto your subject. Dual Pixel will even offer Eye AF.

For video, the 1D X Mark III is class leading. Its standout feature is internal 5.5K RAW recording at up to 60 fps. Canon also offers up to DCI 4K recording at 60 fps both cropped and uncropped and Full HD up to 120 fps. It will be possible to record in up to 10-bit 4:2:2 and use Canon Log for more flexibility in post and improved dynamic range. Autofocus will be available for many modes, including 5.5K RAW at up to 30 fps and DCI 4K at up to 60 fps in crop mode or 30 fps in full-frame. Canon has included Movie Digital IS, peaking, and a focus guide to assist in video shooting.

Canon 1DX Mark III – Hands-on Review

Durability and reliability are core features of the 1D series, and things are no different with the Mark III. The camera is weather sealed and has a shutter rated to last for 500,000 actuations. A newly added Smart Controller button includes touch functionality to make adjusting select settings, such as autofocus, simpler and easier. Other changes come to the optical viewfinder, which has minimized blackout and a redesigned mirror drive mechanism, and a 3.2” 2.1M-dot touchscreen for composing and reviewing images. The camera also has a mini-HDMI port, USB Type-C, headphone and mic jacks, Ethernet, and more.

For professional-grade wireless connectivity, you can add the optional WFT-E9A Wireless File Transmitter. Wireless LAN support and compatibility with 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies will help ensure fast, secure transfers. You will be able to transfer RAW files, HDR content, and 4K video with ease.