Canon Introduces the EOS-ID Digital SLR Camera

New Camera Captures 4 Million Pixels at 8 Frames Per Second, Provides Exceptional Image Quality and EOS System Compatibility Combined with Unsurpassed Durability and Weather Resistance
October 2, 2001 -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), just introduced the world’s fastest interchangeable lens digital SLR camera – the Canon EOS-1D.1 Designed primarily for professional sports photographers and photojournalists, the new 4 megapixel EOS-1D combines the best features of Canon's EOS-1v 35mm SLR with the highest overall performance in a digital SLR. New digital features include a continuous shooting speed of 8 frames per second for up to 21 consecutive frames at full resolution; an extra-large 4.48 megapixel CCD sensor (4.15 million effective pixels); and unmatched image quality control, from color space selection and in-camera folder creation to new driver software used for viewing and customized image processing.

The Canon EOS-1D also includes many of the advanced features and functions of the 35mm Canon EOS-1v including an exceptionally strong dust and weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, 45 point autofocus, a 21-point evaluative metering system, complete compatibility with Canon EOS System lenses and Canon EX-series flash units, a comfortable and intuitive control layout, plus 21 Custom Functions and 25 Personal Functions for fine-tuning various camera settings.

“The new EOS-1D combines the most advanced features of the EOS-1v with the latest in Canon digital imaging technology,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Professional photographers who are familiar with Canon’s EOS System will be able to quickly and easily use this new digital camera.”

The Canon EOS-1D digital SLR camera will be available at authorized Canon dealers in December and have a suggested retail price of $6,499.

Digital Features

4 Megapixel CCD Sensor
The EOS-1D incorporates a newly developed 4.48MP CCD sensor (4.15 million effective pixels) that uses RGB primary color filters and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter for exceptional color reproduction accuracy. These features, together with proprietary noise reduction technology and an entirely new high-speed "imaging engine" signal processor help deliver outstanding digital image quality. In addition, the new CCD sensor has the largest imaging area currently available in an interchangeable lens digital SLR, making the effective focal length of any EF lens attached to the camera only 1.3 times longer than the indicated focal length (compared to 35mm format). This makes true wide-angle photography with conventional SLR lenses, a feature strongly requested by professional photographers, much more accessible than competitive models.

The EOS-1D's interline transfer CCD design provides 2 important functions: An 8 fps refresh rate as well as the ability to control shutter speeds internally rather than relying on a mechanical shutter. Compared to the EOS D30 for example, the EOS-1D can shoot nearly 3 times faster, with a top shutter speed of 1/16000 vs. 1/8000 and a top X-sync shutter speed of 1/500 vs. 1/125 sec. Canon chose a 4.15MP CCD rather than 5MP or 6MP as the most suitable type to deliver unmatched image quality at 8 fps. Current competitive models with higher resolution provide lower performance in terms of framing rates, low light sensitivity, focal length conversion factors, and many other features that are critical for the professional news, sports and wedding photographers who form the primary target market for the EOS-1D. Also, at 4.15MP, the EOS-1D's resolution is sufficient for a vast majority of newspaper and magazine assignments.

Image Recording Quality
Images made with the EOS-1D can be recorded as 12-bit RAW files or in one of three JPEG formats (Large/Fine, Large/Normal, and Small/Fine). In the RAW file format, users can select a new RAW + JPEG mode which allows them to capture a RAW image and JPEG of the same shot simultaneously. This feature benefits photographers by allowing them to quickly transmit a JPEG file while storing a high-quality RAW image for archiving purposes.

High-Speed Continuous Shooting
The maximum continuous shooting speed of the EOS-1D is 8 frames per second, making it the world’s fastest interchangeable lens digital SLR camera. High speed shooting can be achieved in either One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF modes. In JPEG mode, up to 21 consecutive frames can be captured in a single burst of continuous shooting, even at full resolution. When shooting in the RAW mode or combined RAW + JPEG mode, up to 16 continuous shots can be captured in a single burst. In addition to the 8 fps setting, 3 fps and single-frame shooting are also available.

Image Storage
The EOS-1D has a single slot for Type I or II CompactFlash (CF) memory cards, and is compatible with current IBM Microdrives as well as conventional CF cards that meet CompactFlash Association (CFA) standards. CF cards are currently available in capacities up to 640MB, while current Microdrives store up to 1GB. This outstanding reusable capacity enables photographers to store hundreds of images per card before downloading to a personal computer.

To help photographers organize specific assignments while in the field, the EOS-1D enables them to create numerous subfolders on each CF card. Up to 500 folders can be created per card, with each folder capable of storing up to 9,999 images. This feature provides quick and easy access to specific assignments when editing or transmitting images. The EOS-1D is also equipped with a built-in microphone that allows photographers to add audio annotation to any image.

White Balance and Color Temperature
The EOS-1D is provided with no less than 10 White Balance settings to ensure maximum control over color balance according to the lighting conditions at hand. In addition to the default Auto White Balance mode, there are presets for Daylight, Overcast, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Flash as well as Custom and Personal settings that enable photographers to obtain the highest possible precision for color temperature matching. In addition, the EOS-1D becomes the first digital SLR ever to allow manual setting of color temperature in degrees Kelvin, over a range from 2,800 to 10,000K in 100K increments. There is also a built-in White Balance Bracketing function that captures 3 consecutive images at the same exposure while varying the White Balance setting up to +/- 3 steps in 1 step increments, with each step equal to 5 mireds (micro-reciprocal degrees Kelvin).

Color Matrix Function and Custom Image Processing Parameters
In addition to its extensive controls over White Balance, the EOS-1D features a new Color Matrix function: Five settings provide a choice of two color spaces (standard sRGB or expanded Adobe RGB 1998) and four variations in color characteristics for sRGB. This feature applies to JPEG as well as RAW images, and allows EOS-1D image quality to be matched to the requirements of the subject or output device, ranging from 4-color offset presses to desktop color Bubblejet printers. Additionally, up to 3 sets of image processing parameters such as custom tone curves, adjustable JPEG compression ratios, and two forms of image sharpening can be uploaded to the camera and selected for use with any Color Matrix setting.

ISO Speed Bracketing
In direct response to the requests of professional photographers, the EOS-1D is the first digital SLR ever to provide ISO Speed Bracketing. This new feature exposes a sequence of 3 images at the same shutter speed and aperture, while shifting the ISO speed up to +/-3 steps in 1/3EV increments to vary the effective exposure level. ISO Speed Bracketing can be combined with one of the EOS-1D's Personal Functions to adjust the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The overall ISO range of the camera is 100-3200.

Histogram Display
The Canon EOS-1D optionally displays a histogram of the photo image on the LCD monitor in a manner similar to the EOS D30. The histogram is a graph with the horizontal axis representing “brightness” and the vertical axis depicting the cumulative number of pixels that have that brightness. The histogram allows users to check the overall exposure of each photo quickly and accurately. Additionally, if any portion of the photo is grossly overexposed, warning signals are displayed.

Camera Features and Functions

Construction and Durability
The external covers and chassis of the EOS-1D are made of magnesium alloy for a lightweight and highly rigid body. Additionally, the new camera incorporates the same dust and water-resistant measures used in the EOS-1v. And because the EOS-1D’s drive is a permanent part of the body, fewer seams need to be sealed, making it even more resistant to moisture and other harsh environments. It also uses carbon fiber shutter blades for better durability and other superior materials to reduce wear, improve friction, and improve reliability. The shutter can thereby operate up to 150,000 cycles.

Metering and Exposure Control
Using a 21-zone metering sensor, the EOS-1D provides the same metering modes as the EOS-1v. As with the AF area ellipse, the partial/spot metering circle is proportionately larger within the viewfinder screen than in the EOS-1v due to the difference in imaging area between the 2 cameras. The spot metering area occupies 3.8% of the viewfinder screen area, and the partial metering circle occupies 13.5% of the screen area. Exposure control remains identical to the EOS-1v with the exception of the new ISO Speed Bracketing function described earlier.

The EOS-1D retains many other features of the EOS-1v including a variable diopter control, 100 percent viewfinder coverage, and an eyepiece shutter. Other critical features include one-touch depth of field preview, mirror lock, a PC socket for studio strobes, and a remote control socket. More importantly, the EOS-1D inherits the proven control layout of the EOS-1v, providing a strong degree of familiarity for current EOS owners, as well as an unprecedented degree of comfort for photographers looking to switch from competitive models.

The new EOS-1D is compatible with all Canon EF lenses and most EOS System accessories including Canon’s line of EX-series Speedlites. Canon's Speedlite system supports unique features such as Flash Exposure Lock (FEL) and E-TTL Wireless Autoflash, which greatly expand the photographer's ability to achieve precise exposure control and sophisticated multiple flash lighting effects beyond the capabilities of any other professional camera system.

High-Speed Data Transfer and Bundled Software
The Canon EOS-1D is equipped with an IEEE 1394 ("Firewire") interface for high-speed plug-and-play data transfer up to approximately 400 Mbps (Megabits per second). This transfer rate is approximately 30 times faster than the USB 1.1 standard and helps to accelerate the photographer's workflow.

The Canon EOS-1D driver software allows you to review your images on your computer monitor and perform a variety of adjustments to them before they’re acquired into your image-editing software (including playing back sound files and adding IPTC caption data). The TWAIN driver (Windows®) and plug-in-module (Macintosh ®) also are used to process RAW images into 8 or 16-bit TIFF files or JPEGs. In addition, the driver software is used for a broad range of settings, including adjusting the amount of JPEG compression used by the camera, image processing parameters (custom tone curve, edge enhancement and subject pattern sharpness), setting detailed IPTC captioning, and even applying up to 25 different Personal Functions to the EOS-1D.

Additional bundled software includes Adobe Photoshop LE for image editing and Canon's RemoteCapture which allows users to control the EOS-1D from a compatible Windows or Macintosh computer. Controllable functions include real-time single frame shooting, self-timer shooting, and interval shooting.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc., provides professional and consumer imaging solutions that give people the Know How to access the latest technology. The company’s comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

1 As of September 20, 2001

SOURCE Canon
http://www.usa.canon.com