Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Shooting video? Try our Video section for video specific support and accessories!

The newest sports shooter’s flagship from Canon, the 1DMkIV has only recently started hitting the market.

The 1D Mark IV retains the 1.3x crop factor and 10 frames per second shooting speed of the Mark III. Otherwise it is a major upgrade in several areas. The Mark IV has a 16.1 megapixel APS-H sized sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a completely redesigned 45-point AF system, and expanded ISO performance. To be clear, just because you can set it to ISO 102,400, doesn’t mean it’s a useful thing, but high ISO performance is much improved and usable at 3200 and 6400.

The new autofocus system employs 45 points (39 of which are cross-type). New AI Servo II AF uses advanced algorithms to track moving subjects with improved precision and accuracy according to Canon (and also some early reviewers). The Mark IV captures video at 24, 25, or 30 frames per second in 1080p HD, 720p HD and 640×480 SD.

Roger’s take: I’ve been slow to write my take on the Mark IV, mostly because the Mark III developed so much controversy that I wanted to confirm my thoughts on the Mark IV by talking with more experienced photographers because, you see, I apparently was the only person in the Western Hemisphere who liked the Mark III. Now, for complete disclosure on my initial evaluation, I didn’t catch the AI Servo autofocus-with-highlight-background problem, nor the autofocus-in-hot-environment problem in the Mark III. I’m not that careful of a tester. I just really liked the camera, its smooth handling of high ISO, accurate autofocus, etc. So, having been burnt in effigy for recommending the Mark III, well, I wanted to be very careful about the Mark IV. (By the way—I still really like the 1D Mark III. I shoot it a lot.)

So, what’s my quick summary: definitely, clearly a better camera than the 1DMkIII and as I keep saying, I’m a 1DMkIII fan. Others, more skilled than I have stated the Mark IV has more accurate autofocus than the Mark III, and I defer to them. For me, the high ISO performance is clearly improved. I always make fun of the manufacturers putting unusable ISO options on a camera for marketing purposes, but ISO 3200 here is clean enough to print, 6400 can be used with a little post-processing from RAW files, and you can get something recognizable at ISO 12800. Basically, this camera has better high ISO performance with increased resolution compared to its predecessor, which is pretty impressive indeed.

The autofocus is, to me, dramatically better- whether moving, still, in low light, you name it, it’s better. The rear LCD is the new Clear View II type and is clearly an upgrade, and the video mode is as good or better than any other camera. But, of course, the way that dSLR video is moving, that won’t mean a lot in six months.

Anyway, the bottom line for me is: “Is this camera clearly improved enough that it’s worth the upgrade, if you can afford it?” The answer here is yes.

Videographers: SLR sensors that are run for prolonged times (several minutes), run at high ISO, and sometimes simply randomly will develop “hot pixels”. Each camera is tested before being sent out for any hot or dead pixels, but they still happen during shooting. Check your video in the field! Resting the camera for 15 minutes may clear the issue up but not always. If your rental camera develops a hot pixel, we will send you a replacement overnight, but that is all we can do. This is a well known phenomenon and is consistent with the manufacturer’s design, so the operator’s failure to be aware of it is not our responsibility.

Note: All of our cameras ship with one fully charged battery, instruction sheet, the battery charger, and a bag. A lens does not come with the camera. Additionally, due to the license agreements, we cannot send the Canon software with the camera.

In case you need them.

• The spare battery for this camera is the LPE-4
• It uses any CF memory card

Works Well With:

• Rode VideoMic Pro or Rode NTG-2 Shotgun
• Beachtek DXA-SLR audio adapter
• Litepanels Micro or MicroPro
• Cavision Shoulder Mount

Includes:

• Canon EOS 1DMkIV camera body
• Body cap
• Strap
• Battery
• Charger
• Manual or Cheat Sheet
• Camera bag