Canon's 21.1 megapixel EOS 1Ds Mark III: thanks, Amazon
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Aug 19th 2007 6:50AM
posted Aug 19th 2007 6:50AM
Not only did Amazon loose the goods on Canon's EOS 40D, they've also activated the page for Canon's 21.1 megapixel EOS 1Ds Mark III for the pros. That's an 11 megapixel jump from their EOS 1D Mark III (pictured) announced in February... Shazam! Canon's hope is to supplant the medium-format cameras dominating fashion and commercial photo studios with this relatively light-weight, full-frame DSLR. We're talking a 36 x 24-mm self-cleaning CMOS sensor; a pair of DIGIC III image processers operating in parallel; improved 45-point advanced autofocus; 5fps continuous shooting (for bursts of up to 45 Large/Fine JPEGs or 15 RAW images); sRAW image support; 3-inch Live View LCD with 5x or 10x magnification; and CF, SD/SDHC storage options. Of course, it won't come cheap when (and if) it ships on December 10th. In fact, you'll be looking at $8,000 for the body (only) according to Amazon's site. While it's not an official announcement, it's close. Besides, we've been waiting for this thing to get official since we first heard about it in February. So expect one of two things to happen next: either Canon will officially announce in the next few days or Amazon will pull their pages. Update: Amazon pulled the price and delivery date. No worries, we've got the screengrab after the break.
Update 2: Oops, the whole page is gone now. No probs, we've captured the specs to the gallery below.
[Thanks, Robby B and Manhog]
Hey Engadget - fix up your "copying" mistakes.
Aint' no way full frame = 28mm x 18.7mm - big typo from Amazon.com
It's full frame = 36mmx24mm.
Thanks, fixed the post.
Thomas
Maybe the size is right, just the description is wrong...
It is the right aspect ratio though, but it throws up something interesting, if the number of pixels is scale up to a 36mmx24mm sensor... From 5636x3750 to 7220x4813, equal 34.75MP, amazingly matches up the film grain of silver halide photographic film!
I really can't wait to read the review of this thing.
21.1mp!?? That's a 5304 x 3976 resolution!!
Figure this:
Canon EOS 1D-MARK3 can do 10fps @10.1mp
Canon EOS 1DsMARK3 can do 5fps @21mp
Dual digic3 processors in both - speed demon indeed! ;-)
this sure is a monster camera!! hopefully it doesn't have focusing problem like 1D Mark III
LOL - wouldn't that be a bitch!
40D (same DIGIC 3 AF problems)
$8000 1Ds3 - same thing!!
Canon hopefully is not dumb enough to do enough QC testing before release!
"... dumb enough NOT to..," you mean.
Well. Canon has already issued a firmware update that purportedly fixed much/all of the focusing problem. And, not every 1DmkIII-user has encountered this problem.Not by a mile, in fact.
So: Bad argument. ;)
The latest firmware hasn't fix the problem!!!
Check this out:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-8740-9068-9072
Canon still has this problem
$8000 price tag isn't worth it if a beast like this can't properly focus!
I was a staff photographer for a large Stock house and was basically in charge of all their equipment both for my own use and for freelancers use. I have to say though I haven't used the 1D Mark III, I have used the 1Ds Mark II. Many of my older freelancers complain about focus issues with the 1Ds Mark II. I checked and double checked the three camera bodies we had and was never able to find a focus problem that was equipment based. I did however run a user check and in every instance found that when the camera was in the hands of Photographers used to Film there was a focus issue. When I repeated the same shot with myself or another DIGITAL photographer as the user there was no focus issue. My conclusion has been that there is something in the way that the camera focuses that lends itself to how the younger more digital savy photographers shoot.
This is not to say that the older film people are "doing something wrong" just that perhaps it is something very subtle in how the camera reacts to button pressure, or its focus being a little too precise and unforgiving for those used to working with a medium that can't duplicate the image density of digital. When you can take a 12 megapixel headshot from 30 feet away and then zoom into the CRS file and look into the subjects pores is it fair to compare that level of detail to film. Of course there will be more focus issues with Digital because the image density is so much greater.
So my comment here is to say that perhaps it isn't the camera having a problem, that maybe the camera is doing exactly what we tell it to do, and that we just have to remember that the margin or error is so very small that some focus shift should be expected at 500% zoom.
Canon might like to think that pros are going to switch from MF to this, but they're not. Pros are waiting fro MF digital to come down in price (or already spent $100,000 on the switch). If 35mm film wasn't big enough for these pros, what makes Canon think they will go to 35mm digital (w/ lower dynamic range than both slide and negative film).
Well, I'm a pro and I made the switch from a medium format digital back a couple of years ago. I wanted to sell off all of that stuff while it was still worth something. It paid for a new Canon body and a few L lenses.
Pros, me included, are using the 1DsII (16.7MP) and that gets you nice spreads in glossy magazine. It's what Annie Leibowitz (Vanity Fair, Vogue, etc) uses. The differences in using Canon's versus digital MF are stark. True that MF is and will always trump when it comes to ultimate image quality the trade-offs are many--including the high price ($15-35,000 ZD excluded), less robust housing, speed among other niggles.
Canon comes one step closer to matching image quality now, though their lenses will have to improve. Those 14 bits (over the previous 12) will do wonders when it comes to tonal gradation and improved dynamic range and ultimately making a better image.
$8000 has been the asking price of the previous generations so there shouldn't be any increase there. All other improvements (outside of frame rate) should mirror the 1DIII.
LOL - amazon pulled the pages! I guess it was an unintentional "leak" ;-)
Great I can now take pictures so I can view the images the size of my floor.
Canon pulled the pages for the 1Ds III, but not yet the page on the update of the 14mm prime, a listing which refers to the 1Ds III.
yea, i was waiting for this camera !!! =) so now i can take pics with a 400 objective, from objects (people) far away, and if i crop this pic you can still see a good seized pic of the object...
thats going to be NR1 for ALL paparazzi... =)
I want that camera so bad! Seems like I might need Home Server with TB memory afterall=D
I have 8TB of NAS at home just to keep my images from 1DS Mark II. I guess I'll need to add few more TB into the total cost of ownership of 1DsIII.
haha, yeah.. currently I have the 5D and about 800GB but I can just imagine how much space I will eat up with the new camera! Plus memory cards=D
holy sh*t 21mp!?
my sony is 7.2 :P 3 times...
but that looks a little big and heavy :P
Big heavy and not priced for the average joe - p&s customers
There's a camera for every application - but having FF 35mm with this body ensures Canon's domination in this segment. Sure, there may be a D3 - let it come. Wait, perhaps Sony doesn't want to give away their FF alpha sensor to Nikon - hmmm...could Sony try to get a chunk of this market with its own name brand?? Who will make sensors for Nikon? Oh, panasonic will!
;-) competition is great!
wished it had ISO 6400 like the 1D3. I already have the 1Ds2 and that was a great reason to upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I love the extra resolution, but I want a bit more. The reviews of 6400 on the 1D3 is great (luminous Landscape). Of course the autofocus on the 1D3 is still wishy washy, but I hope that gets fixed.
M
just imagine the display you would need to actually appreciate 21MP
Your article implies that this camera is an upgrade to the 1D Mark III. That's not the case. It is an "11mp jump" from the 1D Mark III, but is not that camera's successor; it's the successor to the 16.6mp, full-frame CMOS 1Ds Mark II. The 1Ds line trades the speed of the 1D line for the full-frame CMOS. The 1D is aimed at action/sports shooters. Got it?
Wow. That's amazing. I'm betting release price is gonna be like $10,000, not 8,000. they released the 1d mark III at around 5 grand; when the price settled it's like $4500. So my predicitions is that the 1DS Mark III will be like 10,000 and when it settles, gonna be like 9000, or 8500.
And that's only for the body! You've got to buy another $5000 - $20,000 in lenses depending on what you want to shoot.
Sucks that DSLR's are so expensive. I'm sticking with my Olympus E-500. Might Upgrade to the E-P-1 when it comes out...or might wait. Don't feel comfortable walking around with $20,000 worth of photographic equipment.
Ten Fifteen: was going to call on that '11MP Jump' Good call mate, not an UPGRADE FROM 1D Mk III. This will be 35mm highest end full frame Digital body available, for those not in the market for a medium format digital back (Phase One, Leaf etc)
People interested in this camera will already have a previous model and no doubt, all the glass to go in front.
There will be some concern though with a 21.1MP full frame chip and the resolving power of the glass. I bet we may see a range of new lenses that can handle a chip of this size and resolution. There are already issues with edge to edge sharpness with the 1DS Mark II and some of the L series lenses (28-70mm L 2.8, 16-35mm L f2.8 (series 1) have these problems, don't like the possibilities of anything better without new lenses, which is going to give some pro boys the sh1ts as they may have to upgrade a few of their expensive pieces of glass.
The rumour of this camera and it being between somwhere between 19 & 22 MP has been afoot for a long time and this is going to put a significant dent in the Nikon D3X (or whatever they are going to call it) rumoured to be 19.7 MP replacment for the D2XS, thought to be announced before this. The war continues (and some would now say lost)
What it does mean though for your avergae Joe, that there will be alot of second hand 1DS, 1D Mark II N, 1DS Mark II entering the market at nice pricing :0) 1DS (11MP full frame) fanstastic camera and due to get cheaper very soon.
Price
Johnny, this camera is not aimed at you or 99% of the people reading engadget. In fact, it's not for anyone but professional shooters working in photojournalism. Even in that realm, it's for an elite few staffers at magazines and papers with outrageous budgets who can afford the best because it matters. I know many freelance sports shooters who still use two 30D's, and have spent their considerably-smaller budgets on good glass. If you're just a hobbyist (who doesn't have a doctor/lawyer salary), that's still the way to go. Get the Rebel XTi or 20/30/40D, and spend your money on glass that will stand the test of time. I freelance, and my 24-70 and 70-200 (both 2.8L) have been all I've ever needed ($3k total), and will be around long after I outgrow my 20D.
Where's the ISO 6400 that the "lower model" 1D Mk III has? Maybe I missed it in the screen shots - but a couple of quick read-thrus and I still don't see it.
Is this the same camera?
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=15710
Yes, and also the 40D http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=15653
Hi, I work for ritzcamera.com and we are taking preorders for this camera, if you would like to get on it please call me directly at 949-442-0202 ext 213
or email me gino@ritzinteractive.com
I am waiting for the upgrade to the Canon 5D, which is aimed more at enthusiastist who want the best image quality. Since they have upgraded the 1Ds they can now upgrade the 5D (without competing the two models). I'm hoping that a "5D Mark I" comes out as a 16 MP sensor. Then I can upgrade from my 20D and still maintain my resolution doubling with each new camera I buy (2 to 4 to 8 to 16)!