People say that the quality of photographs depend on the photographer’s skills and not the type of camera used; however, what if the camera can also think like a photographer – from automatically focusing on a subject to burst shots that capture every important moment? That would be a double win for any user! This was part of our thought process as we went through the features of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III – Canon’s new flagship full-frame DSLR, last Thursday (February 13, 2020) during its launch at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
The camera features a newly developed 20.1 MP, 35mm full frame CMOS sensor; continuous shooting speeds of u to 16 fps via viewfinder shooting and up to 20 fps via live view with AF/AE tracking; new DIGIC X image processor with CFexpress media, allowing a burst rate of up to 1000 shots; in-camera recording of 5.5k RAW movies with simultaneous MP4 files, good enough for indie film making; and a built-in Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi with FTP, to name a few. It’s already been tried and tested by photographers like Ezra Acayan and Jijo De Guzman, so we easily got hooked!
Disclaimer: I’m not a pro photographer nor do I earn from creating videos, so please don’t expect super technical stuff in this post. I have knowledge on the subject but of course, this is still a lifestyle blog. 😛
SPECS SHEET
| Camera Model | EOS-1D X Mark III |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X |
| Total Pixels | 35mm full frame CMOS (Approx. 20.1 megapixels) |
| Exposure Control | Approx. 400,000 pixels RGB + IR metering sensor 216-zone (18×12) full-aperture TTL metering |
| Viewfinder AF | 191 points max. (cross-type AF points: 155 points max.) *Number of available AF points, dual cross-type AF points, and cross-type AF points vary depending on the lens used *Dual cross-type focusing at f/2.8 with center AF points Spot AF (manual selection), 1-point AF (manual selection, AF point expansion (manual selection, vertical/horizontal), AF point expansion (manual selectinon: surround), Zone AF (manual selection of zone), Large Zone AF (manual selection of zone), Auto selection AF and EOS iTR AF (can recognize color information, face, and heads) |
| Focal Plane AF | Dual Pixel CMOS AF Image display area max, approx.. 90% horizontal x vertical approx. 100% Number of AF positions: max 3,869 positions |
| Still image normal max ISO speed | ISO 102,400 (ISO expansion, 50, 204,800, 409,600, 819,200 equivalent) |
| Continuous Shooting | Max approx. 16 fps (during viewfinder shooting, One-Shot AF/AI Servo AF) Max approx. 20 fps (during Live View shooting, One-Shot AF/Servo AF) |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec. (mechanical) |
| LCD monitor | 3.15in, approx.. 2.1 million dot |
| Movie | RAW, 4K DCI, 4K DCI cropped, 4K UHD, Full HD *119.9p/100.0p used for High Frame Rate movies |
| Size | Approx. 158.0 x 167.6 x 82.6mm |
| Weight | Approx. 1440g (including battery pack and card) |
| Network | Wi-Fi/ Wired LAN/ Bluetooth Low Energy Technology |
CLOSER LOOK
Unlike any other DSLR we’ve seen and tried before, the EOS-1D X Mark III stands out not just because of its size, but also of its fast, precise, and powerful build. It’s already more than good enough for taking videos for an indie film no matter where your location may be or even for capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments like an epic dunk shot or an athlete crossing a finish line. That’s 1000 continuous RAW shots without budging! The sample photos shown at the event from renowned photographers are really jaw-dropping, especially those that involve wildlife! The camera shutter is super quiet, you can get close to subjects without startling them with clicking sounds. Maybe something paparazzis can also benefit from, right?
For people who prefer small cameras; however, the size and weight of the EOS-1D X Mark III might be a challenge. It’s something that you’ll have to get used to, but I swear that its capacity to somehow think for you can make up for all the extra heaviness. Personally, I would switch to this for an event coverage if only I have enough money to get myself one!
Photography enthusiasts will enjoy improved resolution, color reproduction, and noise reduction from the EOS-1D X Mark III’s new DIGIC X imaging processor which powers the camera. Its increased ISO speed of up to 102,400 retains the quality of the images even in low-light situations. Sounds good for concerts! A dedicated DIGIC 8 processor supports the camera’s AF management and control of the 400,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor and its newly developed 16-point low pass filter, which incorporates the Gaussian filter, helps reduce moiré, color distortion, and still better suit high-resolution lenses.
For those like me who are active on social media, real-time uploading can be done through the EOS-1D X Mark III’s built-in GPS receiver which supports SuperSpeed Plus USB (USB 3.1 Gen 2 to be exact) transfer speed. It also has a built-in WiFi with FTP functions, including the new WFT-E9 that comes with dual antennas compatible with Dual Band (2.4GHz/5Ghz).
PRICE
Advanced features come with a higher price point, of course! Starting March 2020, the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark III will be available for P399,998 in key Canon-authorized partners nationwide. You can also visit https://ph.canon for updates on their special offers.
VERDICT
There’s still a lot more to explore about this DSLR but I guess it would be best to see it for yourself. After all, it’s not something that would suit everyone’s lifestyle. If you’re always on the go and if your photos are only for personal and social media use, spending almost P400k for a camera wouldn’t really be necessary. However, for those who make a living out of the quality of photos and once-in-a-lifetime money shots, then the EOS-1D X Mark III can definitely be an awesome partner.
Better start saving up if your eyes are set on the EOS-1D X Mark III! For more millennial tech updates, don’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!