Canon EOS-1D X Needs Firmware Update

Contents:

• Photography capabilities
• Video capabilities & Missing features
• Video features in upcoming DSLR: 5D Mark III & 7D Mark II
• Can I send features request to Canon? (Yes!)
• Product Specifications
• Readers comments at bottom

The recently announced and still not released Canon EOS-1D X needs a firmware update.

This may sound weird, but keep reading… Just take a look at the specifications (posted below). This camera will be a “war machine” with tremendous processing power (two Digic 5+ and one Digic 4 processors), BUT Canon still does NOT give some basic features to the users!

Most of the specifications listed by Canon look amazing, while some others look unbelievable (not to the good side), and few others are unknown.

Let’s take a closer look…

Photography capabilities

In our previous article we posted the press release mentioning the key features:

• 18.1 MP full frame CMOS sensor
• Up to 12fps plus 14fps High speed mode
• 100-51200 ISO, up to H:204800
• 61 point AF system
• 100,000 pixel RGB AE metering
• Full HD 1080p EOS movie
• Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors
• Clear View II 8.11 cm (3.2”) 1,040k LCD
• Ethernet port
• … and lot more (please check EOS-1D X Announcement & Key Features)

They all seem to be fantastic, very promising. Not much to say before checking full size sample pictures (those posted at Canon site are almost useless, since they are tiny compared to a 18MP picture).

Some features like wireless flash triggering are missing, though (but available at entry-level DSLRs). There is no built-in Wi-Fi either, etc.

Photographers will probably be glad with the expected performance of this camera in almost all aspects. Although the price is not for a wide range of customers.

Video capabilities & missing features

Things may be different regarding video. Canon said in the press release:

Extreme power
Powered by next-generation processing technology, the EOS-1D X is the first-ever camera to feature dual “DIGIC 5+” processors. Offering performance up to three times faster than standard DIGIC 5, each processor is designed to manage huge levels of image data while simultaneously reducing image noise. In combination with the sensor’s 16-channel read-out, the dual processors enable full-resolution continuous shooting up to 12fps with 14-bit A/D conversion and full camera operation – the fastest of any DSLR currently available (etc.)

Great, this camera has huge power, as mentioned earlier. So let’s see what Canon specifically says about video and film making:

The film-maker’s DSLR
The EOS-1D X is ideal for all professionals who want to exploit the EOS system’s extensive selection of lenses and accessories – whether shooting stills or HD movies. Users can record Full HD (1920x1080p) movies from the full-frame sensor with a full range of manual settings to control exposure, focus and frame rate[3], while sound levels can also be displayed and adjusted on the LCD screen, ensuring complete control over every aspect of a shoot.

Thanks to the power provided by the dual “DIGIC 5+” processors moiré artefacts are also reduced, while EOS Movie now offers longer recording options, automatically creating a new file once the 4GB file limit has been reached. A new intra frame video codec also maintains the highest possible video quality, limiting compression of image data so users retain increased levels of information for post-production editing.

Canon called it “The film-maker’s DSLR”, impressive.

At first sight this looks pretty good but let’s get closer, checking the press release and the specifications sheet (posted below) to see if the features we all have been requesting since so long ago and so important for the filmmakers community are implemented in this new flagship camera:

• 50p/60p at 1920×1080 (Full HD): No
  

This camera with “extreme power” does NOT record 50p/60p at Full HD, it only gives the option to record 50/60p at 1280×720. This is unbelievable! Three processors inside, $6,800 estimated price for body-only, and it does not record 1080p60? Even some consumer camcorders under $800 do it.

 1080p60 is now being used more than ever by professionals, indie filmmakers and amateurs. Obviously this is not a hardware limitation, since this camera can do it, and much more. Lot of potential customers had expected even faster frame rates.

• “REMAP” hot & stuck pixels function – almost essential for video mode: No

With “remap” function we mean a function on which the user can tell the camera where hot or stuck pixels are located to automatically “hide” them since then (doing an average of surrounding pixels). This would work very similar to the Dust Delete Data feature currently available in lot of DSLRs.

We called it “remap” because current DSLR cameras already have a “map” of hot pixels that are automatically hidden. This function is set on factory or service centers.

It is unbelievable that this feature is still not implemented by any manufacturer, considering that EVERY digital camera has hot, stuck or dead pixels, and that new ones can appear over time. Of course it should be implemented for photography too, but it’s even more important for video since removing hot/dead/stuck pixels in video takes lot more time and resources.

• Focusing Aids: No. There is no mention to any. We’re requesting focusing aids since more than 2 years ago. With such extreme power, this camera should certainly offer at least “Peaking”.
• Zebras: No mention. Another feature missing that could be perfectly implemented.
• False color: No
• 1:1 Crop mode of the center of the sensor at Full HD resolution: No.
• Digital Zoom: No
• Clean Full HD output through HDMI while recording: No. It seems it will deliver 720p as the EOS 7D (will Canon let the user disable the white square? It doesn’t look like)
• Compression level: The user can select between two different compression modes, but cannot select the bit rate of any. Canon should give the option to select at least 3 different levels of compression on each mode.
  
• Rack Focus automatic operation/presets: No
• Audio monitoring using headphones: No
• Crop marks: No
• Auto Focus while recording: No. Many people may say that it doesn’t work for serious filmmaking, but that is not completely right. IF the AF is well implemented and works correctly, then it can be VERY useful. Not for every situation, but it can help a lot on many. Just think about selecting an area of the frame and let the camera pull focus when the subject is moving closer to the camera. That’s just one case, and there are lot more.
• Some other features that could be implemented for filming purposes…

Most of the above features are being requested since 2009 by thousands of users around the world. Check “EOS 5D Mark II Features Request“.

There is no possible excuse now about “hardware limitations”. It’s simply that Canon doesn’t want to include these features, even in the flagship camera at $6,800 body-only, which they have called “The film-maker’s DSLR“…

Of course this camera has many important improvements on video mode, but with such processing power inside, at a that high price, almost everyone would expect MUCH more, because the camera CAN deliver lot more. Customers are tired of cameras being crippled by manufacturers.

Video features in upcoming DSLR: 5D Mark III / 7D Mark II

The biggest question and most concerning matter is WHAT we can expect in upcoming DSLRs. If Canon does not implement those features in the highest and most expensive camera, will they do in cheaper ones?

One could answer “of course not”. But if we check the list of features of other models, even entry-level DSLR with movie mode, then the answer would be “they certainly could”. This inconsistency of Canon is confusing indeed.

WE SINCERELY HOPE that Canon updates the firmware of EOS-1D X and seriously consider the implementation of the mentioned features in the future EOS 5D Mark III, 7D Mark II, 70D, etc.

Can I send features request to Canon?

Yes!. As we posted in “Features Request: HOW to tell Canon what YOU need!” you can (and you should) send all your suggestions to carecenter@cits.canon.com. Please check that article for additional important details.

Product Specifications

Finally, below we post the released product specifications sheet of Canon EOS-1D X. Check official page here.

*Recommended Exposure Index
All data is based on Canon standard testing methods except where indicated.
Subject to change without notice.

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