Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Review

The new Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is an update to the 18 megapixel 1D X and the camera features an all-new 20.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with dual pixel CMOS AF, as well as a built-in analogue to digital converter for improved readout speed, better dynamic range and noise performance. The camera features internal 4K video recording and a built-in heat-sink to allow recording up to 29 minutes. There are two memory card slots, with CompactFlash, plus high-speed CFast 2.0 to enable quicker write speeds and up to 170 raw shots at 16fps (in live view mode) or 14fps with AE/AF in normal high-speed continuous shooting mode. 

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Features

Canon has developed a new 20.2-megapixel sensor with dual pixel CMOS AF, for high dynamic range, and reduced noise at both high and low ISO settings. The new sensor has a built-in Analogue to Digital converter to improve readout speed, noise performance and dynamic range and this has allowed an ISO speed range from ISO50 to ISO409600 (extended).

The full-frame sensor has a heat pipe to draw heat away from the sensor so that the camera can shoot 4K video at 60fps up to the 29 minute, 59-second limit. Without the built-in heat pipe, overheating of the sensor might be an issue which would mean video length would be limited. You can also record high-speed FullHD video at 120fps / 100fps.

The use of CFast 2.0 means faster write speeds, with speeds up to 440MB/s compared to 150MB/s of CompactFlash. This allows up to 170 RAW shots to be taken in high speed continuous shooting mode. CFast 2.0 has recessed contacts making the card more robust and less likely to have problems with bent pins.

The EOS 1D X Mark II uses the same Mirror Vibration Control System as the 5DS and 5DS R in order to reduce vibration caused by the mirror moving up and down. Another feature found in the 5DS and 5DS R is the "Fine Detail" picture mode which prioritises gradations and detail capture. You can also adjust in-camera sharpening parameters such as threshold and fineness for JPEG files - meaning you should be able to get detailed and sharp JPEG images straight from the camera.

Focus is more sensitive than other Canon cameras such as the 5DS and 5DS R, able to focus down to -3EV (an improvement over -2EV), and the camera has an updated AI Servo + focus mode which uses the lens gyro sensors to predict camera movement and improve focus accuracy, for example when you are panning with the camera. 

New features include a Hot pixel cleaning system built into the camera. There is also updated lens correction built in, with further correction options available in playback on the camera (Digital Lens Optimizer). The camera is weather-sealed, making it suitable for a wide variety of shooting conditions. 

A new Canon WFT-E8 wireless file transmitter supports high-speed standard 802.11ac (5GHz band). The EOS 1D X Mark II is compatible with the existing WFT-E6 wireless adapter for the EOS-1D X, but the new WFT-E8 adapter offers faster-transmitting speeds. Using either compatible Canon WFT accessory enables remote operation using the Canon Camera Connect App (available for iOS and Android).

The closest competitor to the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II, is the Nikon D5, as well as the Leica SL, so we have provided a quick comparison showing the main differences between these three cameras:

We've also compared the EOS-1D X Mark II with the original EOS-1D X here. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Leica SL both recording DCI CINE resolution 4K video at 4096x2160, compared to UHD resolution 4K video at 3840x2160 on the Nikon D5. The video length is also limited on the Nikon D5, whereas the EOS-1D X Mark II is limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds. 

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Key Features

• 20.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
• 3.2inch touch-screen, 1.62m dots (touch-screen only active in live view or movie shooting)
• Intelligent optical Viewfinder II, 100% field of view, electronic overlay, 0.76x magnification
• Dual DIGIC 6+ processors
• 61 point AF system with 41 cross-type points
• AI Servo AF III +, focuses down to -3EV
• Supports f/8 AF with all 61 points with extenders and telephoto lenses
• 360K RGB+IR metering sensor
• Flicker Detection for artificial lighting
• Minimal Mirror Vibration Mirror Drive System
• 14fps continuous shooting with AF/AE Tracking (RAW)
• 16fps continuous shooting in Live View (Mirror lock up, AF locked first frame)
• Unlimited JPEGs or 170 RAW images with CFast 2.0
• ISO100 to 51200, expands to ISO50 up to ISO409600
• Built in GPS, Geotag information, Logging function
• CFast 2.0 / CompactFlash (UDMA7 Type I) slots
• USB 3.0, built in Ethernet
• 1210 shot battery life 

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Video Features:

• 4K video up to 60/50p, 4096x2160, approx. 800MBps, 30, 25, 24p approx. 500MBps
• 8.8mp photos extractable in-camera from 4K footage
• 4K records internally to CFast 2.0, in DCI 4K standard: 4096x2160 (17:9)
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology (covers 80% of sensor area)
• Movie Servo Auto Focus, can select focus point with touch-screen
• FullHD video up to 120/100fps
• ISO100 to ISO204800 available depending on mode
• Clean HDMI output at Full HD resolution, 4.2.2 8-bit colour sampling
• Mono microphone built in
• Mic / Headphone sockets

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Handling

The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has improved handling with a redesigned handgrip, as well as a deeper portrait grip. The buttons around the lens have been redesigned as well to make them easier to use when wearing gloves. However, the controls and buttons will be familiar to anyone who has used the previous version of this camera, with almost all of the buttons and controls matching. One noticeable change can be seen in the live view switch, which now matches other Canon EOS cameras, letting you switch between photo and video modes. The joysticks have also been improved, with a slightly larger area to grip on to.

As Canon's top of the range Digital SLR, the camera feels extremely well built, and very solid. If you've used other full-frame cameras, such as the Canon EOS 6D, then the size of the 1D X Mark II may come as a bit of a shock to you as it's definitely one of the larger DSLRs available. 

The camera weighs the same as the 1D X at 1340g but is slightly larger at 158 x 167.6 x 82.6mm. GPS is built in and this now means there is a slightly raised bump on top of the camera. There is now USB3.0 built in, and the remote control socket has been moved to the other side of the camera to make room for the updated ports on the left-hand side of the camera. 

With a touch-screen on the back of the camera, you might have expected to be able to changes settings and go through the menus using the touch-screen however, the touch-screen is only active in live view photo mode, or in the video mode. The optical viewfinder is large and clear and gives a good view of the scene, as well as useful shooting information, without the need to take the camera away from your eye. 

There are 61 focus points, with 41 cross-type and 5 dual cross-type AF points. You can select any of the 61 focus points individually, and these cover a fairly wide area of the centre of the frame. If you switch to live view shooting you can select from any area of the screen, and the AF tracking will cover the whole frame. 

Whilst the camera has built-in help that will give you guidance as to what each option is for, close studying of the Canon manual is recommended so that you are familiar with the multitude of focusing options. 

The optical viewfinder is large and bright and can be customised to show a number of useful things, including a dual-axis electronic level and shooting settings. The screen looks very good with a high resolution and very good viewing angles. 

The camera menus have a vast range of options and are neatly arranged into colour coded sections making it easier to find the settings you want to change. You can also customise the "MyMenu" menus with your favourite settings and these can be renamed so that you can setup certain menus for specific shooting scenarios. Unfortunately, you can't use the touchscreen to scroll through the menu options. 

The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II can shoot high speed, FullHD video at 120 or 100fps depending on whether you're recording NTSC or PAL video, as well as shooting 4K video at 60 or 50fps. From the 4K video, you can extract 8.8 megapixel JPEG images, and this is possible on the camera. 

The EOS 1D X Mark II can shoot at 16fps in Live View mode, with exposure and focus locked on the first shot and the mirror locked up. In normal shooting mode, you can shoot at 14fps with auto exposure and continuous focus active (shown above), and videos showing the camera shooting at different speeds can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel.

The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II features dual card slots, one is CompactFlash, and the other is CFast 2.0, and to take advantage of 4K video recording a CFast 2.0 memory card is recommended. These are currently around £82 for a 32GB Lexar CFast 2.0 card, compared to around £42 for a 32GB Lexar CompactFlash card. The camera uses a rechargeable Li-ion battery (LP-E19) which gives 1210 shots according to CIPA test standards, which is an improvement over the 1120 shots of the 1D X. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 1120 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is very good, although we able to shoot far more than this and the number of shots possible will depend on your shooting style and drive mode.