Canon delivers EOS-1 digital

By Ian Burley

25th September - 2001

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After being regarded by many as having been left behind by Nikon in the pro digital camera race, Canon has today wheeled out its new big gun, the EOS-1D. It’s fast, innovative, rugged and promises to give Nikon execs a few headaches. There’s also a new super-wide zoom to match.

The headline specifications for the EOS-1D include:

Single chip 4.48 megapixel CCD, offering a maximum image resolution of 2464x1648 pixels (4.06MP) for JPEG images and 2464x1662 (4.1MP) for RAW format images.
Option of simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG versions of image file in real time.
A conventional 35mm full frame aspect ratio of 2:3.
The sensor is a CCD (using RGB filtration) instead of the unusual, but highly effective, CMOS device used in the D30
CCD dimensions: 28.7mm x 19.1mm (1.3x lens focal length shift compared to 36 x 24mm frame from 35mm film)
Sustained max. shooting speed of 8fps for up to 21 frames (2.6 seconds).
Shutter speed range: 30 seconds - 1/16,000th second, 1/500th flash sync
ISO speed range: 200-1600 (100-3200 using EV adjustment)
Voice record image narration option
100% of image area view via both optical finder and 120K pixel 2 inch LCD viewscreen (playback only).
Interchangeable focussing screens
45-point area autofocus
21 zone metering
Dial-in colour temperature settings in degrees Kelvin
Image file name editing facility
Type I/II CF card slot
IEEE 1394 (firewire) download interface
Dimensions (body only): 156 x 157 x79.9mm
Weight: 1250g + battery: 350g

New super-wide zoom too

To underline how important Canon regards the professional market, a new EF 16-25mm f/2.8 L USM lens has been simultaneously launched with the EOS-1D. Helped by the 1D’s XL (extra large) CCD that is 20% larger in area than its nearest competitor, the new 16-35mm zoom delivers an equivalent 21-45.5mm range (1.3x approx focal length shift).

Attached to a Canon D30, to date Canon’s only true digital SLR, the same lens would have worked as a 25.6-56mm zoom equivalent (1.6x approx. shift). Until today you’d have had to be content with Canon’s EF 17-35mm f/2.8 L zoom, which delivers a rather ordinary 27.2mm widest equivalent focal length on a D30 or a much more useful 22.1mm on the new EOS-1D.

Two Nikons for the price of one Canon?

While Nikon decided to specialise the specifications of its D1 family of pro digital SLRs, culminating in the high resolution D1x and the fast but lower resolution D1h, Canon has managed to make the EOS-1D fit the bill as both an action sports photographer’s tool as well as that of a general purpose or studio photographer.

Frustrated that Canon has taken so long to satisfy their needs, former Canon EOS-1 touting professionals have been wooed over to Nikon and the D1-series. But now Canon appears to have exactly what its loyal followers want.

It looks great on paper. But how good is it in use? We’re expecting to get our hands on a camera on the 3rd October and will be posting some samples on this site as soon as we can later that day.

UPDATE: We are now being told that only pre-production prototypes will be on show next week and it’s unlikely we will get to take any shots. Seeing as the camera isn’t due until December, this is understandable - if naturally disappointing.