Canon 1D X Mk3 rumours and info

Canon 1D X mkIII rumours – 1D X mark 2 replacement

Our collected rumours about the new 1 series camera that follows the 1D X mk2

• The 1D X was announced in October 2011, but didn’t ship until July 2012.
• The 1D X 2 (1D mk6) was launched in February 2016.
• The Mk3 will ship in time for the 2020 Olympics (pretty good bet).

With Canon’s lengthy update cycles for high end cameras, I’m not expecting much here until 2019, but I’ll update the page with any info we’re sent or that I see on the web.

There is a regularly updated timeline for EOS DSLRs further down the page, which is always useful when considering replacement timetables. Further down the pages are the specs for the 1DX2, 1DX and 1D4 /1D3

The Canon camera timeline

Do you print your photos? I’ve written up my top 10 reasons prints look wrong.
Based on my 30+ printer reviews and many email discussions…
Never miss new articles/reviews – sign up for our Newsletter (2-4 max. per month).

The 1Dx Mk3 Rumours

• For assorted ‘High MP Camera’ rumours see also our long running 3D page or 1D Xs page
• The 5Ds/5Dsr at 50.6MP may well damp down high MP rumours for a bit… [5Ds mk2]
• One of our longest running rumour pages – Will Canon do Medium Format?

A reminder for new readers – Any suggestions for products more than 6 months from announcement automatically get my biggest ‘pinch of salt’ rating. I’m disinclined to use numerical rating systems , since to me, they imply rather more precision in ‘rumourology’ than I’ve ever found in our 15 years of following rumours… ;-)

2018 March

20th An interesting interview [DPR] from Canon at the recent CP+ show seems to have fired up mirrorless rumours, but it pretty much confirms a new ‘flagship’ camera in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. That’s still likely to be a 1D X mk3 IMHO.

We may well see a high end mirrorless then, maybe even with a new FF mount, but the top end DSLR has a way to go

“We still believe there’s work to be done before we can achieve the level of satisfaction that our users are looking for before they could confidently move from DSLR to mirrorless”

January

25th The timeline is updated and I still don’t expect to see anything 1D X mk3 related until late 2019 or early 2020, in time for the next summer Olympics.  By 2020 we should be well into Canon’s move to mirrorless, but I’m feeling there is at least one more top end DSLR in the company.

2016 February

2nd The 1D X mk2 is official, so this page steps up…

So, what will we see in a 1D X mark 3?

Given the nature of its market I reckon it will still be in an obvious 1 series body.

The safe money goes on another modest increase in speed, improved AF performance and bump in megapixels.

Maybe they’ll even dispense with the need for an external WiFi unit

For video, good 4k would seem obvious, but going to 8k needs a somewhat higher MP count.

It’s far enough ahead that we may see much more of a change in basic sensor type – the 1DX2 has dual pixel AF and on-chip A/D conversion.

The amount of non-bayer (‘foveon type’) sensor patents has seen a jump recently and I’d not be surprised to see Canon or (more likely) Sony dip their toes into this area in 2016/17 – will it be the next big thing, as regularly predicted on forums since Foveon’s first appearance?

I’m definitely not seeing a place for an EVF in Canon’s next flagship camera, even if by 2020 it has appeared lower down the EOS line.

Will we see a return of a 1 series ‘s’ model? I’d suspect less likely now that the 5Ds/R has taken a lot of the high megapixel market.

Canon hinted that a very high MP camera was on its way with a 120MP APS-H (~200MP FF) example at their expo last autumn (2015) More likely for a 2018 5Ds mk2 (almost certainly an ‘R’ version only)

1st 1D X mk3? A camera for 2019/20

Full specs for the 1D X mk2 appear – all info on the 1Dx 2 page

Older rumours

January

29th The 1D X mk2 leaks seem to have been started for the weekend…

More detailed specs emerging:

• 20.2MP CMOS Sensor
• Dynamic range improvement
• Dual pixel CMOS AF
• Dual DIGIC6 + processor
• ISO100-51200 (extended with 409600)
• Continuous shooting 14 frames / sec.
• Live View mode at 16 frames / sec – high-speed continuous shooting new mirror drive system to allow the (at 16 frames / sec.)
• Continuous shooting possible number is 170 frames in RAW -. In JPEG Unlimited
• 61-point AF system, which range is expanded. 41-point cross-type
• AF is -3EV correspondence
• With lighting AF point red
• AI AF accuracy and motion tracking was improved Servo AF III + – 360000 dot metering sensor.
• EOS iSA. EOS itr
• Viewfinder magnification 0.76 times. 100% field of view
• Video
  • 4K 60fps.
  • Full HD 120fps.
  • 4K video can be recorded with the internal CFast2.0 Media
  • Movie Servo AF
• LCD monitor 3.2 inches, 1.62 million dot. Touch panel.
• Camera digital lens Optimizer (DLO).
• Lens aberration correction.
• Diffraction correction
• CFast2.0 and compact flash of dual card slot
• GPS built-in – 2-axis electronic level
• USB3.0 terminal, HDMI terminal
• W-FI option (WFT-E8A)
• Size of 158mm x 167.6mm x 82.6 mm

27th An announcement is looking very likely for the 1st/2nd of Feb (next week)

—

A slew of US patents might hint at some of the new technologies in the 1D X mk2 – see main Canon rumour page

22nd A forum suggestion of expanded AF capabilities [FM]

“…feature of the 1DX Mk2 is its AF and tracking capabilities over the 1DX. Not only is the AF faster, when using a 2X TC on a 500/600mm f4 lens, the new camera will allow all focusing points to be active even when the effective aperture is f8. On the 1DX, only the centre AF point and 4 surrounding points (with AF area expansion) are effective. I understand there will also be a multi-frame silent shooting mode instead of the single shooting silent mode on the 1DX.”

We’re likely close enough to an announcement that such details are a bit more worthy of attention.

17th Canon events are planned for the start of February, so it’s looking like 1D X mk2 time

16th Two slots for the 1Dx 2 – 1 CF and 1 Cfast? [CR]

13th 1D X 2 to feature a 4k burst mode? [CR]

Still no solid info, so expect more snippets like these for a while

11th Latest ‘info’ for the 1D X mk2 suggests that Canon will claim 15 stops of DR [CR]

Still no signs of detailed info I’m afraid.

8th 22MP for the mk2 is suggested [CR]

7th With the Nikon D5 announced, it would seem that a 1D X mk2 announcement shouldn’t be more than a month or two away (the CP+ show is next month) [CR]

2015 December

17th A few 1Dx2 suggestions – no solid details yet [CR]

One idea is that the 1D X mk2 will replace both the 1D X and 1D C.

I don’t know how good 1D C sales have been and whether the likes of the C300/500 meant that a dedicated video 1 series body just doesn’t fit any more?

Max video frame rate: 4K @ 60fps, 120fps @ 1080p
Touch setting for AF point selection
New sensor technology
A “learning mode” for AI Servo
New AF system
GPS built-in (no mention of Wifi)
New LCD screen type/technology

11th No details, but a January announcement for ‘a significant Canon DSLR’ is suggested [CR]

…it is an Olympics year after all, so a new 1Dx is quite reasonable.

November

24th More possible specs appear – are we getting closer to an actual leak ;-) [CR]

24mp full frame Canon sensor
80+ AF Points
New processor technology
14+ stops of dynamic range
Nearly 15fps
4K video (max frame rate unknown)
Dual CFast
Slightly larger LCD

6th More and a wider spread of AF points suggested [CR]

3rd Some more 1Dx2 mentions [CR] maybe faster cards (CFast) and Digic 7.

January is looking good for an announcement, but given how many times we’ve seen predictions, lets wait for some ‘real’ leaks ;-) 

As ever just have a look at the camera timeline below for one of the best long term guides to what to expect …

October

21st No real info, but the 1Dx2 is expected to be shipping by April [CR]

12th Some specs (20MP) appear [CR] although it’s probably too far from an announcement as yet for much accuracy

September

7th A suggestion that the 1D X mk2 will have 4k video, but won’t be a video oriented DSLR [CR] It’s said that there won’t be 4k in any other DSLR launched next year

If so with the 5D4 then I expect a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth ;-)

August

24th No specifications, but there are reports of pre-production versions of the 1DX 2 out for testing and promotional use [CR]

8th A suggestion [CR] that the 1D X 2 will manage 14 fps with a 24MP sensor.

Rumours are quiet again, so I’m thinking the 14th (next Friday) is looking less likely…

5th Another mention of the 1D X replacement [DPR] and putting an announcement (along with the 5D 3 replacement) around the US Photoplus show in October.

Nothing else backs this up at the moment, so keep the usual big pinch of salt ready. 

2nd A drop in price of the 1D X to $4600 [Adorama] – look out for more widespread price drops, that sometimes trail an update?

It’s now August and there are no solid signs of any product launch yet…

July

28th 24MP and at least 12fps? More 1Dx2 noises [CR]

12th If we’re to see a 1D X mk2 soon, the there should (hopefully ;-) be a few more leaks. There are suggestions [CR] that the new camera will have many more AF points (cross type) and that changes in viewfinder capabilities will be needed for it.

May

7th More 1Dx 2 snippets – 25MP Canon sensor [CR]

Time to review the timeline – note that Digic 6 is hardly widespresd, and Canon doesn’t tend to skip versions (note the dual Digic6 in the 5Ds – probably enough to work for the 1D mark 6 (as IMHO, you might reasonably call any 1DX2)

2nd 1Dx 2 snippets – Digic 7 and extended DR [CR]

April

27th Suggestions that the 1D X mk2 is out for testing will have a few more MP, improved viewfinder/display/AF, lighter battery, but no details [CR]

The only dates we’ve heard for this are late 2015/early 2016

(i.e. no idea really ;-)

February

13th The actual appearance of a 1D X mk2 is pushed into 2016 [CR] even if it gets an announcement this year.

5th With the 50MP 5Ds announced tomorrow, some Nikon D5 rumours appear, suggesting a 20MP camera later this year. This makes a 1Dx 2 just that bit more likely in September

… let’s just hope it ships a bit faster this time?

January

4th The 1D X mk2 is suggested as getting a high MP sensor, although apart from both Sony and Canon saying in interviews that there will be such a sensor appearing some time, there is as yet very little actual evidence for where Canon will put one.

See main rumours page for more.

2014 November

6th A 5D4 and ‘another Canon Pro DSLR’ for the start of February are mentioned in a dealer sourced rumour(see the 5D4 page for details)

September

28th If there is to be a ‘High MP’ camera in the near future, then it’s probably not the 1D X mark 2 [CR]

That’s reassuring to me if it means the ‘high MP’ talk is about the return of the ‘Ds’ or even that old favourite, the 3d ;-)

June

21st Both the 5D mk4 and 1D X mk2 are to be announced January/February of next year, we’re told (thanks).

The 1D X mk2 will be announced first (potentially late this year), but will ship later.

Both will incorporate significant advances in sensor design, which mean that there will be no high MP ‘3D’ class body this year.

The info suggested that this was what was being tested in the studios we heard about last month, and that elements of it woud appear in the upcoming 7D mk2, but that the real advance would be seen next year.

Thanks too for the aside, that I would finally see a camera that would make me ‘rush’ to replace my 1Ds mk3 – I’ll believe it when I see it, but Northlight’s next year financials does include provision for quite a bit of new glass and equipment, that I didn’t see a need for, this year ;-)

• The correct video format of [NTSC] or [PAL], matching the connected TV, must be set or the video image will not appear.

Extension System TerminalFor connection to WFT-E8A and WFT-E6A

Power Source

Battery

Battery Pack LP-E19 (or LP-E4N, LP-E4) x1

• With the AC Adapter + DC Coupler, AC power of possible.

Number of ShotsApprox. (Based on CIPA testing standards)Shooting Method BatteryTemperaturePossible ShotsViewfinder shootingBattery Pack LP-E19At 73°F/23°C1210At 32°F/0°C1020Live View shootingAt 73°F/23°C260At 32°F/0°C240Battery CheckAutomatic battery check when the power switch is turned ON.Power SavingPower turns off after the set time (1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30 min.) of non-operation elapses.Date/Time BatteryBuilt-in secondary battery
When fully charged, the date/time can be maintained for approx. one month.

 

• Recharge time: approx. 8 hr.
  • To become capable to maintain the right date/time for one month after main battery power exhaustion.

Start-up TimeApprox. 0.1 sec. (Based on CIPA testing standards)
* Excluding the recognition time for genuineness (genuine Canon battery) at the installation of the battery.
* Start-up time becomes longer with a battery being used for the first time with the very camera.

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions
(W x H x D)Approx. 6.22 x 6.60 x 3.25 in. / 158.0 x 167.6 x 82.6mmWeightApprox. 53.97 oz. / 1530g (Based on CIPA guidelines)
Approx. 47.27 oz. / 1340g (Body only, without battery, cards, body cap or eyecup)

Operating Environment

Working Temperature Range32–113°F/0–45°CWorking Humidity Range85% or less

Published specs for the Canon 1D X and Nikon D4

	Canon EOS-1Dx	Nikon D4
Announced	October, 2011 (availability: July 2012)	January, 2012 (availability: February 2012)
Lens Mount	Canon EF mount	Nikon F bayonet mount
Effective Pixels	18.1 million	16.2 million
Sensor Size	36 mm x 24mm	36.0 x 23.9mm
Image Sensor Format	full frame	FX
File Format Still Images	JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon Original) M-RAW S-RAW RAW+JPEG M-RAW+JPEG S-RAW+JPEG	JPEG NEF (RAW) NEF (RAW) + JPEG TIFF (RGB)
Picture Control	Auto Standard Portrait Landscape Neutral Faithful Monochrome User Defined 1-3	Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Standard User-customizable S Vivid
Storage Media	Compatible with UDMA 7 CF cards	CompactFlash (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA) XQD Type Memory
Card Slot	Dual CF Cards (Type I or II)	1 CompactFlash (CF) card and 1 XQD memory type card
Viewfinder Frame Coverage	Vertical/Horizontal approx. 100%	FX (36×24): 100% Horizontal and 100% Vertical Approx. 1.2x (30×20): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx. DX (24×16): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx. 5:4 (30×24): 97% horizontal and 100% vertical Approx.
Viewfinder Magnification	Approx. 0.76x	0.70x Approx.
Fastest Shutter Speed	1/8000 sec.	1/8000 sec.
Slowest Shutter Speed	30 sec.	30 sec.
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution	Super High-speed: 14 shots/sec. High-speed: 12 shots/sec. Low-speed: 3 shots/sec.	10 frames per second 11 frames per second (AE/AF Locked)
Exposure Compensation	±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments	±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
ISO Sensitivity	ISO 100-51200 Extension settable: ISO 50; 102,400 and 204,800	ISO 100 – 12,800 Lo-1 (ISO 50) Hi-4 (ISO 204,800)
Dynamic AF Mode	One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. (The number of cross-type AF points will differ depending on the lens.)	Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
Focus Modes	Single-point AF (Manual selection) Auto selection 61-point AF Single-point Spot AF (Manual selection) AF point expansion (Manual selection, 4 points: up, down, left, and right) AF point expansion (Manual selection, surrounding 8 points) Zone AF (Manual zone selection)	Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) Continuous-servo (AF-C) Face-Priority AF available in Live View only and D-Movie only Full-time Servo (AF-A) available in Live View only Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder Normal area Single-servo AF (AF-S) Wide area
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points	61	51
Built-in Flash	No way!	No!
Flash Compensation	±3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
White Balance	Auto Daylight ShadeCloudy Tungsten Light White Fluorescent Light Flash Custom Color Temperature setting	Auto (2 types) Choose color temperature (2500K–10000K) Cloudy Direct Sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored) Shade
Movie	1920 x 1080: 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps 1280 x 720: 60 fps / 50 fps 640 x 480: 30 fps / 25 fps	HD 1920 x 1080 / 30 fps HD 1920 x 1080 / 24 fps HD 1280 x 720 / 30 fps HD 1280 x 720 / 60 fps
Monitor Size	3.2-inches	3.2 in. diagonal
Monitor Resolution	Approx. 1.04 million dots	921,000 Dots
Monitor Type	TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor	Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD
Battery Life (shots per charge)	TBA	2,600 Battery Life (shots per charge) (CIPA)
Approx. Dimensions	6.2 x 6.4 x 3.3 in. (158 x 163.6 x 82.7 mm)	Width 6.3 in. (160mm) Height 6.2 in. (156.5mm) Depth 3.6 in. (90.5mm)
Approx. Weight	TBA	41.6 oz. (1180g) camera body only
Price	$6,800.00	$5,999.95

1D3/1D4 comparison

	Canon EOS-1D Mark IV	Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Sensor	16.1 million total pixels 27.9 x 18.6mm	10.7 million total pixels 27.9 x 18.6mm
Image processor	Dual DIGIC IV	Dual DIGIC III
A/D converter	14-bit	14-bit
Image sizes	4896 x 3264 4320 x 2880 3552 x 2368 2448 x 1632	3888 x 2592 3456 x 2304 2816 x 1880 1936 x 1288
RAW files	CR2 format, 14-bit RAW full resolution mRAW (9.0 MP) sRAW (4.0 MP)	CR2 format, 14-bit RAW full resolution sRAW (7.6 MP)
Auto focus	45-point TTL CMOS sensor 39 cross-type for F2.8 or faster lenses	19-point TTL CMOS sensor 19 cross-type for F4 or faster lens 26 non-selectable assist points
Noise reduction	Four levels of High ISO NR	High ISO NR On/Off
Movie mode	1920×1080 at 30, 25 or 24 fps 1280×720 at 60 or 50 fps 640×480 at 60 or 50 fps	None
LCD monitor	3.0″ TFT LCD 920,000 pixels 7 brightness levels	2.0″ TFT LCD 230,000 pixels 5 brightness levels
Continuous shooting	10.0 fps Up to 121 JPEG Large/Fine images Up to 28 RAW images Up to 20 RAW+ Large/Fine JPEG images (Figures are with UMDA 6 card)	10.0 fps Up to 110 JPEG Large/Fine images Up to 30 RAW images Up to 22 RAW+ Large/Fine JPEG images
Custom functions	62	57
Storage	Compact Flash slot (UDMA support) SD card slot (SDHC support) USB drives via WFT-E2/E2A	Compact Flash slot SD card slot (SDHC support) USB drives via WFT-E2/E2A
Dimensions	156 x 157 x 80 mm (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)	156 x 157 x 80 mm (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)
Weight	No battery: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) With battery: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb)	No battery: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) With battery: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb)

The original 1D Mk4

US Info (from Canon)

Offering a comprehensive combination of speed, accuracy and image quality, the EOS-1D Mark IV is the perfect choice for professional photographers and subjects on the move.

With a completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease.

An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 – 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations.

Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process.

The EOS-1D Mark IV is the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.

Features

New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm.

ISO 100 – 12800 (expandable to L: 50, H1: 25600, H2: 51200, H3: 102400) for shooting from bright to dim light with low noise levels.

EOS HD movie with manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 60p (59.94) / 50p).

16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed.

10.0 fps continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGS or 28 RAW using a UDMA CF card.

3.0-inch ClearView II LCD monitor, 160° viewing angle, 920,000-dot VGA, reflection resistance with multi coating and high-transparency materials for bright and clear viewing.

Magnesium alloy body with shutter durability up to 300,000 cycles and exclusive dust- and weather-resistance.

Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories.

Professionally Proven, High-Speed AF.

New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm.

The EOS-1D Mark IV has a newly developed, high-precision Area AF sensor with 45 manually selectable points including 39 cross-type, high-precision AF points for exacting and fast focusing no matter the subject. New AI Servo II AF focus tracking features improved algorithms that help improve stability, reliability and focus no matter the situation.

Whether shooting a fast-paced soccer game or shooting a close-up of a bee on a wind-blown flower during macro photography, AI Servo II AF helps ensure sharp focus every time. AF point selection has been improved as well.

Photographers can select their own point through either the camera’s Multi-controller or Main Dial/Quick Control Dial. Automatic selection is as simple as the press of a button.

With Custom functions, photographers can select their own default focus point to automatically switch between horizontal and vertical shooting and can even choose to have primary focus supported by adjacent focus points for more accuracy with moving subjects.

Never miss a new article or review - Sign up for our Newsletter (2-4 a month max.)

Enjoyed this article?

Other areas of our site that may be of interest...

All the latest articles/reviews and photo news items appear on Keith's Photo blog 

We've a whole section of the site devoted to  Digital Black and White photography and printing. It covers all of Keith's specialist articles and reviews.

Categories include Colour management and Keith's camera hacks - there are over 800 articles/reviews here...

Articles below by Keith (Google's picks for matching this page)

---

If you start your buying of anything whatsoever from Amazon (not just what's listed) via one of our links below, it helps myself and Karen to keep the site going. We really do appreciate this - thanks 

[link for Amazon UK | Amazon US]