3
In the Canon DSLR lineup, the gap between the EOS20D camera, at about $1,500, and
the new EOS-1D MarkII Ncamera, at about $4,000, represents an irresistible marketing
and engineering opportunity. Ofcourse, many combinations of size, performance,
ruggednessand complexity are possible, especially for Canon. Canon hasthe
inestimable advantage ofbeing able to mix original design elements with existing,
proven, successfulcomponents and software, as appropriate, from the EOS-1Ds MarkII,
the EOS-1D MarkII and new Mark II N, the EOS 20D and the EOS Digital RebelXT
cameras. Because Canon manufacturesnot only its own CMOS sensors but also the
machinerythat makes those sensors, as well as the devices that testand maintain that
machinery, Canon hasextraordinary control over the manufacturing process. Canon has
developed leading mold making and metalworking technologies, and itmakes virtually
allof the critical electronic and optical parts in its DSLRs. Consequently, the occasion ofa
new camera bringswith it the possibility of some new and very special items to throw into
the mix. Thatis exactly what has happened with the new Canon EOS5D Digital SLR.
The heartof the EOS 5D SLR is its all-new, specific to the 5D model, 12.8 megapixel
full-frame, Canon-designed and -manufactured single-plate CMOSsensor. Each pixelis a
very large 8.2µm, and istherefore able to receive a great deal of light, producing not
onlyexcellent resolution but a wide range of ISO settings and low noise levels on a par
with the 8.2 megapixelEOS-1D Mark II camera. The DIGIC II Image Processor, DDR
SDRAM and 4-channelreading enable an incredible burst performance of 60 Large/Fine
JPEGsor 17 RAW images at 3 fps.
Also newlydeveloped for the EOS 5D camera are the 9-point AF unit with 6 invisible
SupplementalAF points and a more durable shutter rated to 100,000 shots as required
in a professionalcamera. This shutter mechanism has to be large enough to handle the
full-frame sensor, which, in turn, hasrequired the development of a new, large mirror
boxassembly.
New and shared with the concurrently-introduced EOS-1D MarkII Ncamera, is the
2.5 inch, approximately230,000 pixel, wide-view monitor, which is an absolute delight
I. OVERVIEW
5D DigitalRebel XT
20D1D MarkII N
1DsMark II
1. OVERVIEW