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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Advanced Digital Technology

New 16.7 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

The 1Ds Mark II sensor shares with the 1D Mark II several substantial improvements made possible by the Canon-developed, on-chip RGB primary color filter together with larger microlenses that have much smaller gaps between them than those on the 1Ds. These narrow gaps greatly increase the efficiency of light convergence while greatly reducing birefringence. Canon has also improved the design of the photo diodes in the CMOS sensor by eliminating transistors in each pixel, making a greater portion of the surface area of each pixel sensitive to light.

Normally, it's nearly impossible to provide both high resolution and minimal false color, but the EOS-1Ds Mark II has a 3-layer optical low pass filter that works with the DIGIC II chip to reduce false colors while having minimal impact on resolution.

A second-generation, on-chip noise elimination circuit attends to fixed-pattern and random noise. In addition to longer battery life, the lower power consumption of the CMOS sensor means that the Signal-to-Noise Ratio is less affected when the sensor's temperature rises. For long exposures, including those up to several minutes, the circuit-driving standard current and the power to the output amp are cut off and, as with the 1D Mark II, the camera applies Dark Frame Subtraction automatically. Additionally, the irregular image edge colors that occur during long exposures have been reduced dramatically.

Like the EOS-1D Mark II, the 1Ds Mark II is equipped with a low-noise, high-speed output amp, and can read 8 channels simultaneously per line, enabling a continuous shooting speed of 4 frames-per-second despite the enormous file size generated by 16.7 megapixels.

The EOS-1Ds Mark II's sensor measures 36 by 24mm, a full 35mm frame, eliminating the need for lens focal length conversion factors. Wide-angle lenses and the many unusual or specialized lenses in the Canon EF family have their full, unfettered visual effect.

The Canon DIGIC II Image Processor

The next-generation DIGIC II Image Processor in the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, as well as in the EOS-1D Mark II, features ultra-fast response and high performance. The single board design replaces the multiple boards of the 1D and 1Ds. The DIGIC II itself is a single-chip unit whereas the 1D and 1Ds had two separate Image Processors. The DIGIC II has a new signal processing algorithm, 8-channel signal reading and faster image data signal processing. Color reproduction of high-saturation, bright subjects is improved. Auto white balance is more precise and accuracy in low color temperatures, such as tungsten light, is better. False colors and noise in low light have been reduced.

The DIGIC II Image Processor enables the EOS-1Ds Mark II to write to card at speeds up to 5.8 MB/sec, depending on the CF card's write speed capability, a significant improvement to the 1Ds with a write speed at just under 2 MB/sec.

The EOS-1Ds Mark II uses double data rate, synchronous dynamic random access memory, DDR-SDRAM, first seen in a digital SLR in the EOS-1D Mark II. This high speed buffer memory is one of the keys to the 1Ds Mark II's ability to capture 16.7 megapixel files at 4 frames-per-second for as many as 32 consecutive JPEGs or 11 consecutive RAW images.

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