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The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is the latest in Canon’s 1D series DSLRs. The 1D series is unique in its use of an APS-H format sensor (28.1×18.7mm). The sensor is larger than APS-C and so can yield higher image quality, but is smaller than full frame, which means that the file size is smaller and the reflex mirror can be smaller and lighter and so the camera can operate at higher speeds (10 frames per sec). The high speed operation of the 1D series cameras has made them the first choice for many sports and action photographers. Like other 1D and 1Ds series cameras, the EOS 1D MkIV has an integrated grip with a second set of controls for vertical shooting, a high capacity battery pack, high strength construction and the body is weather-sealed for operation outdoors in the rain.
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New 45-point wide area AF with 39 cross-type sensors with f/2.8 sensitivity
New upgraded AF system designed for high speed tracking of moving subjects
High-speed Dual “DIGIC 4” processors for fast operation and high image quality
12,800 high ISO expandable up to 102,400
Full HD movie recording at 30, 25 and 24 frames per second (fps)
3.0" Clear View II LCD with Live View mode
Durable dust and water resistant body with 76 rubber seals
1/8000s shutter with 300,000 cycle rating and 1/300s sync
Physical Construction
Bob Atkins
Size: 6.1 × 6.2 × 3.1 in./156 × 156.6 × 79.9mm
Weight: 1180 g / 41.6 oz (2.6 lbs)
The EOS 1D MkIV is a large camera. The integrated grip and high capacity battery significantly increase the size of the camera body when compared to an EOS 5D MkII and it’s much bigger than something like a digital Rebel T2i. The 1D MkIV wouldn’t fit in either my LowePro Off Trail bag or my LowePro Mini-Trekker backpack. It’s also pretty heavy at just over 2.5lbs in weight—and that doesn’t include a lens!
Of course the size and weight are related to the sturdy construction required for serious professional use. The grip is integrated for reasons of strength and reliability. With an integrated grip there are no concerns over body-to-grip contacts or dust and moisture ingression, plus there’s no weak mechanical coupling to fail if the camera is dropped or otherwise abused. The chassis of the 1D MkIV is all metal of course and is environmentally sealed using 76 different rubber seals and gaskets. All this adds to the bulk of the camera.
The 1D MkIV is a serious professional tool for photography. It’s not a camera you’re likely to try to slip in your pocket (or even hang around your neck) while going for a casual stroll in the park.
Controls
Bob Atkins
The control layout of the 1D MkIV is similar to that of other 1 series cameras (including film cameras). Operating mode is set via push buttons and the main control wheel rather than depending on a dial. Again this is related to durability and reliability. There’s no rotary dial to knock off if you drop the camera and it’s easier to weather-seal a button than a rotary dial. On the left side of the camera are the control buttons for setting the shooting mode, AF mode, drive mode, metering mode and flash exposure compensation, as well as buttons for displaying the menu on the rear LCD and selecting the info displayed.
Bob Atkins
Over on the right side are the top mounted control buttons for LCD illumination, ISO setting, exposure compensation and FEL. The FEL button is located next to the shutter release and also controls multi-spot metering and starts and stops the movie mode in live view. Buttons on the top right of the back control exposure lock, AF zone selection, AF start/stop and also control the image magnification in playback mode. These buttons (along with the shutter release) are duplicated on the lower right side of the grip so that they are available (and similarly positioned) when shooting in vertical (portrait) mode.
Viewfinder
Bob Atkins
The viewfinder assembly (pentaprism and optics) is essentially the same as that used in the 1D MkIII. It has 100% coverage with approximately 0.76x magnification and a 20mm eyepoint, A dioptric adjustment of -3 to 1 diopters is built in and there is an eyepiece shutter to block off light during long exposures. The focusing screen is the Laser-matte Ec-C IV (the same as is used in the EOS-1D Mark III). It provides a clear image for easy focusing, excellent brightness, low “grain” and a natural looking background blur. It can be replaced by any of the series 1 Ec focusing screens if desired.
The viewfinder display is split into two parts, one horizontal display below the screen and the other vertical and to the right of the screen. The vertical display shows metering (including flash metering) and exposure compensation in 1/3 stop steps from +3 to -3 stops. It also shows indicators for JPEG and RAW file recording, maximum burst count and battery level.
The horizontal display shows the usual EOS parameters including shutter speed, aperture, ISO, highlight tone priority, shots remaining, flash status, metering mode, focus confirmation and white balance correction.
The viewfinder screen itself shows the central circular area covered by the spot meter as well as an outline of the area covered by the AF zones).
LCD
Bob Atkins
The 1D MkIV features a 3-inch LCD monitor with approximately 920,000 dots (VGA res), a wide (160°) viewing angle, high brightness and low power consumption. Colors and color reproduction have been improved over the EOS-1D Mark III and natural-looking images close to the sRGB color space are obtained.
The material used for the protective cover has been changed from a plastic to reinforced
glass to prevent any force applied to the protective cover from reaching the LCD panel
through the optical elastic material. The new cover is also much more scratch resistant.
The EOS-1D Mark IV’s LCD screen has an anti-reflective coating and a smudge-resistant coating and this is coupled with internal technology which also reduces internal reflections. This results in a high contrast image which is easier to see even outdoors in sunlight.
There is a small monochrome LCD below the main color LCD which is used to display various items of camera status. There are indicators to show which type of media cards are in use, the white balance settings, the size and type of image recording (RAW, JPEG), information on file and folder numbers and indicators associated with wired and wireless LAN connections.
The top mounted LCD displays the usual EOS data including shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, shots remaining, battery status, ISO setting. metering, drive and AF modes, HTP and AEB status and mirror lock up status.
Operation and Timing
Bob Atkins
I tested the 1D MkIV using a SanDisk Extreme Pro CF card rated at 90MB/s. This card is UDMA 6 enabled and it’s currently one of the fastest CF cards available.
The camera was set to 1/500s, ISO 100 and focus was fixed. In RAW mode the buffer held 32 frames recorded at 10.0 frames per second (fps) before the shooting rate slowed. After the buffer filled the frame rate averaged about 3.5 fps.
When the ISO setting was increased to ISO 3200 and all other settings left the same, the buffer filled after 23 RAW images at 10.0 fps. After the buffer filled the average rate dropped to around 2 fps.
At ISO 100 recording RAW + JPEG (highest quality and resolution) images, the buffer held 19 frames shot at 10.0 frames/sec after which the average frame rate dropped to around 2.5 fps.
Recording JPEG images at ISO 100 the frame rate was 10.0 fps. The buffer still hadn’t filled after 20 seconds (200 frames), which is where I gave up!
Both shutter lag and viewfinder blackout time are very short. Too short for me to measure. Canon quote values of 55ms shutter lag and 80ms mirror blackout time and those sound like reasonable numbers. There is also a custom function which can shorten shutter lag to approximately 40 ms when the lens is set to its maximum aperture.
ISO and Noise
Bob Atkins
The EOS 1D MkIV has an ISO range of 100-12,800 without expansion. When expansion is enabled via a custom function, there are additional ISO settings of 50 (L), 25,600 (H1), 51,200 (h2) and a remarkable 102,400 (H3). There’s also an auto ISO function which can also be customized with the photographer’s choice of upper and lower limits between ISO 100 and ISO 12800. Auto ISO functions in manual mode, so the photographer can set shutter speed and aperture and the camera will select the appropriate ISO setting for optimum exposure.
Bob Atkins
The actual photosensitive area of the 1D MkIV pixels is the same as that of the 1D MkIII, despite the higher pixel density (16MP vs. 10.1MP). This was accomplished by more efficient use of the sensor area by maximizing the photosensitive area of each pixel as well as the use of an improved fabrication process that yields a sensitivity gain. In addition a gapless microlens and higher transmission Bayer matrix color filter further improve light capture. So in spite of a higher pixel density (and therefore a smaller pixel size), the 1D MkIV shows a lower noise level than the 1D MkIII.
Bob Atkins
Noise at low ISO settings is virtually absent and in fact stays very low indeed up to ISO 1600. At ISO 3200 things are still very good though some noise is visible. Even at ISO 12800 image noise is acceptable for many applications. Once ISO goes into the expanded range things get worse. ISO 25600 is noisy but not too awful, but at ISO 51200 noise is clearly degrading the image and at ISO 102400 noise and image degradation due to noise reduction makes this strictly an “emergency only” setting. The image samples on the right are 100% crops from a test chart shot at ISO settings from 100 to 102400 so you can see the effects for yourself.
I’d say that the noise level of the EOS 1D MkIV is pretty similar to that of the EOS 5D MkII through ISO 6400 and is at least one stop better than the noise level of the EOS 7D. At ISO 12800 and 25600 the 1D MkIV shows the lower noise than the 5D MkII.
Considering the hoopla over the Mark III problems (auto-focus; shutterbox mirrors; oil spots on sensor), Canon would buy a lot of customer good-will if they would offer a program by which Mark III owners could send in their camera bodies for an "internal" upgrade to the Mark IV "guts."
The Canon 1D Mark IV/1Ds Mark III is a great camera to have if you take care of it and look after it you should fine?
John Zhao www.johnzhao.com.au www.sydneyportrait.com
Once you're out shooting I doubt very much if you would notice the weight. The 1D series has excellent ergonomics which enhances the camera's usability over long periods. Needless to say I love my 1D4 and the Mk3 as well.
, April 11, 2010; 03:23 A.M. 
