(CES 2020) Some hot new camera announcements, including the EOS-1D X Mark III and Nikon D780!

[D13H4RD]

Aside from showcasing phones, TVs, sensors, automated driving and other bits of tech, CES also seems to be a hot place for the launch of some new camera equipment. And it seems that the crowd-pleaser is the launch of the EOS-1DX Mark III, Canon's latest entry in the EOS 1-D line of flagship professional-oriented sports camera, aimed at photojournalists, sports and wildlife photographers. 

 

EOS-1DX Mark III

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Although we've known it's been coming for some time, Canon has now released all the details about its new EOS-1D X Mark III. A big, double-grip DSLR, the 1D X Mark III sits at the top of Canon's lineup as its fastest, toughest and in many ways, most advanced camera yet. You'd be forgiven at first glance for mistaking it for the previous Mark II (or a much older 1D camera), but small refinements on the outside bely some big advances within.

The Mark III looks very much identical to its predecessor but there has been some major changes underneath, most notably its new autofocus system, which has been radically overhauled with 191 AF points with the OVF (155 being cross-type). This is also combined with a redesigned shutter mechanism that allows for a 16FPS burst with the OVF and 20FPS in Live View (both electronic and mechanical). And while the resolution of the sensor stays at 20MP, it's been updated with faster readout speeds so rolling shutter artifacts on the e-shutter should be less pronounced.

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Let's start with some of those big internal advances. First off, the EOS-1D X Mark III has an all-new autofocus system for use with the optical viewfinder. It offers the same coverage as the Mark II, but with 191 points, of which 155 are cross-type. For the first time, this secondary sensor uses conventional square pixels, rather than dedicated 'strip' detectors.

 

The camera will focus through the viewfinder with telephoto-lens-and-teleconverter combinations down to F8. The overall system has been enhanced with machine learning for body and head detection, yet simplified, with fewer customizable autofocus 'cases' and a new 'Case Auto' mode that automatically adjusts parameters on the fly without any input needed from the user.

The Mark III also debuts a new DiGiC X processor, which is several times faster than the dual DiGiC 6+ processors in its predecessor, so much so that only one is required for the Mark III to fulfil its purpose as a speed-oriented sports camera. Coinciding with the new processor is some video upgrades, notably RAW video at 5.5K at 60p, though this will result in filling a 128GB card after 6 minutes. 

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Impressively, the 1D X Mark III can capture Raw, 5.5K/60p video internally. Just be aware that shooting in this mode means you'll fill up a 128GB card in under six minutes. You can also capture smooth and detailed 4K/60p video with All-I or IPB compression and 4:2:2 10-bit Log capture if needed, though you need to drop to 4K/30p or lower, or engage the 'Super 35' crop mode if you want access to the camera's excellent Dual Pixel AF system while recording.

Other small updates include the use of the AF-ON button as a demi-trackpad for AF point placement, illuminated rear buttons for easier operation in low light conditions, full support for ultrafast CF Express memory cards (which allows the camera to have a virtually unlimited buffer size) and an ethernet port for ultrafast transfers, amongst other things. 

 

The 1D X Mark III is available for sale mid-February at a suggested retail price of $6499. Nobody said a high-caliber sports camera would be cheap. 

There are some other big launches as well, notably Nikon's new D780 DSLR, an update to the brilliant-but-aging D750.

 

Nikon D780

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The announcement of Nikon's new D780 demonstrates that the company hasn't given up on DSLRs just yet. The successor to the D750 (which Nikon says is its best-selling full-frame camera) borrows heavily from the Z6 mirrorless camera, with a few things from the D5 as well.

 

The D780 features a 24.5MP BSI-CMOS sensor - likely the same as in the Z6 - which features on-sensor phase detection. That means that in live view you'll get dramatically improved autofocus compared to previous Nikon DSLRs, plus face and eye detection. When shooting through the viewfinder you'll have a 51-point AF system backed with the higher-resolution metering sensor and algorithms from the D5.

The best way to describe the D780 is a D750 mixed in with stuff from the Z6 and D5 alongside the D850. 

 

The D780 incorporates a 24.5MP BSI CMOS sensor that's more than likely the same one from the Z6 (and a potential cousin to that from the Sony a7iii) alongside it being dual-gain, which has been the underpinnings of many a great high-ISO performing cameras. 

 

Autofocus sees the D780 retain the same 51-point AF module from the D750 but gains the algorithms and metering sensor from the D5 to aid in subject tracking. The shutter unit has also been reworked to allow for a 1/8000s shortest exposure time, although bursts in Live View is still 3FPS with the mechanical shutter (this improves to 8FPS and 12FPS for 14 and 12-bit RAWs respectively on the e-shutter but this comes with the increased risk of rolling shutter artifacts).

 

Being essentially a Z6 in a DSLR shell, it's no surprise that it has inherited many improvements from its mirrorless cousin, notably its on-sensor PDAF system that allows for better focusing performance in Live View, alongside the menu system lifted from the Z6 as well.

 

Much like the AF and menus, video also sees a lift from the Z6 in many aspects. It is able to shoot at 4K30p with a full sensor readout or 1080p at 120p and comes with useful video aids like zebra warnings and 10-bit recording via an HDMI recorder. 

The body itself has seen a few updates, such as gaining a touchscreen and an AF-ON button although the pop-up flash unit has been ditched.

 

The D780 is available later in January for $2299 or $2799 with the Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 zoom.

Aside from all the big guns, there were some other small announcements, which include but are not limited to;

• The unveiling of a physical Nikon D6 body but without any other information aside from that.
• The Nikon Coolpix P950 ultrasuperzoom bridge camera, now with 4K recording, an improved EVF and support for RAW files. 
• The Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8S lens launch for $2600 and shipping in February alongside a Nikkor 120-300 F-Mount lens for $9500.
• Canon confirming that no new EF lenses are in development, with all new lenses being for RF "unless there is demand".

Source(s);

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EOS-1D X Mark III;

• Canon EOS-1D X Mark III initial review: An exceptional stills and video hybrid for pros - DPReview
• Canon's EOS-1D X Mark III brings a new sensor, Dual Pixel AF and 5.5K Raw video - DPReview
• Hands-on with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III - DPReview

 

Nikon D780;

• Nikon's new D780 is a Z6 in a familiar DSLR body -DPReview
• Nikon D780 initial review - DPReview

Others;

• First look at the Nikon D6 - DPR
• Nikon's 70-200 F2.8 for Z-mount to ship in February - DPR
• Nikon AF-S 120-300mm F2.8E FL ED SR VR arrives next month for $9500 - DPR
• Nikon Coolpix P950 mega-zoom gains 4K video, Raw support, improved EVF - DPR
• Canon Europe confirms its focus is on RF, not EF lenses unless the ‘market demand it’ - DPR

 

Opinion time;

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In a world that seems to be headed right in the path of mirrorless, it might seem strange for there to have 2 DSLR announcements, but there is more than meets the eye, especially for both the D780 and 1DX Mark III.

 

The 1DX Mark III is essentially a DSLR that's also a mirrorless. What I mean by that is that its Live View performance is very similar to what you'd find on a modern speed-oriented mirrorless camera with excellent autofocus and fast bursts. While Canon has stated that the reason they're going with a DSLR is due to the zero lag of an OVF which is desired for high-tier action photography, their announcement that no new EF lenses are currently in develop seems to indicate that Canon is fully focusing on the new mirrorless RF-Mount going forward, and given the initial performance of the 1DXiii's Live View mode, it paints a hopeful picture of a future EOS R sports camera. 

 

The Nikon D780 is much the same story except that it shares its guts with an already existing mirrorless, the Nikon Z6 and as such, can be thought of as a Z6 stuffed inside the body of a DSLR, which isn't necessarily bad as the Z6 is a pretty dang capable all-rounder, with excellent all-round stills performance and very capable video performance, all stuff the D780 ought to replicate. However, the head-scratcher comes from the launch price of the D780, which when you consider that Z6s have dropped to $1400-ish, is a bit of a question mark in that sense unless you really need an OVF.

 

[Automobili3XF]

Larry Chen from Speedhunters and Hoonigans is already doing his awesome automotive photography with the 1DX Mark III:

 

[ZestyJalapeno]

Can't wait for a pro EOS mirrorless...ready to say goodbye to the good ole' shutter click

[papacoach]

Nikon went nuts, how can they price D780 at $2299? Who do they expect will buy it? Half of the improvements are undermined by using a live view - that is ridiculous and extremely clunky, it is like two different types of cameras in one body. With improvements which Z6 brought one would be crazy to buy this thing, especially considering Z6 dropped the price quite nicely, you can literally get Z6 with a FTZ adapter for $600 less than this MSRP for D780. But at least this will drop D750 prices, it is ridiculous what an astonishing full-frame camera you can get nowadays for under $1000 (new!).

 

King's dead. Long live to the dead king who is now on discount.

[D13H4RD]

D780 still scratches my head

[ThePointblank]

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