The Bottom Line
- 16.7 mega-pixels
- Outstanding image quality
- Great speed
- High price (retailing around $8,000)
Description
- Uses type I or II Compact Flash cards or SD memory cards.
- Compatible with Canon EF lenses (except EF-S).
- Records images in JPEG, RAW or simultaneously in both formats.
- Self-timer has 10-second or 2-second delay.
- Voice annotations can be attached to images.
Guide Review - Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
The 1Ds Mark II's imaging quality is outstanding from ISO 100-400, and comes pretty close to having the same quality from 400-800 ISO. This isn’t surprising at all to anyone who knows Canon’s DIGIC II image processor. Popular Photography magazine (popphoto.com) noted in their column that the 1Ds Mark II "has set a new image-quality benchmark delivering higher resolution and color accuracy than any ISO 100 film we’ve ever tested.”
How much speed do you need? This camera probably has more than enough. It can deliver a shooting burst of 32 jpegs at full resolution or 11 RAW images and it's ready for action almost immediately after you turn the power on. Auto-focus is obtained instantaneously with its 45-point auto focus system, and it has shutter speeds from 1/8000 to 30 seconds with around 60 milliseconds of shutter lag. Zing!
Canon made sure their 1Ds Mark II can take a beating. The body of this camera is a bit bulky, with the body measuring in inches 6.1W x 6.2H x 3.2D and weighing 55.2 ounces. The body is made of weather resistant magnesium alloy and the lens mount is made of stainless steel and compatible with Canon’s entire EF lens line-up.
All in all, this is a premier digital SLR that delivers amazing images.
