Canon EOS 1D Mark III User Guide - Page 10

Combining the superb image capture capabilities of the new sensor with advanced Dual DIGIC III Image Processors, the EOS-1D Mark III offers the widest ISO range of any DSLR in the world (as of February 2007). The standard range of 100-3200 can be extended to a remarkable 50-6400.* More important, the low-noise performance at high ISO settings makes the entire range usable in real-world shooting situations. * CIPA standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index. EOS-1D Mark III EOS-1D Mark II N/1Ds Mark II/5D The EOS-1D Mark III sensor has 10.1 effective megapixels, a 25% increase over the 8.2 megapixels of the EOS-1D Mark II. Individual pixel size on the 1D Mark III's sensor is 7.2µm, the same size as the pixels of the EOS-1Ds Mark II. Pixels Size and ISO Speed Camera EOS-1D Mark III EOS-1D Mark II N EOS-1Ds Mark II EOS 5D EOS 30D EOS Digital Rebel XTi Pixels Size 7.2 x 7.2 8.2 x 8.2 7.2 x 7.2 8.2 x 8.2 6.4 x 6.4 5.7 x 5.7 ISO Speed 100-3200, L(50), H(6400) 100-1600, L(50), H(3200) 100-1600, L(50), H(3200) 100-1600, L(50), H(3200) 100-1600, H(3200) 100-1600 Although the pixel size of the 1D Mark III is 1 micron smaller than the pixel size of the EOS-1D Mark II and Mark II N, the photodiode size of both sensors is the same, thanks to the optimized photodiode construction and more sophisticated processing of the 1D Mark III. By optimizing the gap between the on-chip microlenses and improving the fill factor (photodiode area divided by total pixel size) of each pixel, light-gathering efficiency has been improved. Also, by optimizing the photodiode's structure, light-reception efficiency has been improved. Additionally, the second-generation, on-chip noise removal circuit and the noise reduction technology explained below combine to remove noise effectively. This has enabled the EOS-1D Mark III to be the first EOS DSLR camera to have ISO 3200 as part of its standard ISO speed range. Dynamic range at low ISO speeds is about the same with the 1D Mark III as it is with the EOS-1D Mark II and Mark II N despite the 1D Mark III's increased resolution. A second-generation, on-chip, noise-reduction circuit is provided. To achieve even less Gap between microlenses Photo diode area Pixel Size Circuit area Pixel Size Photo diode area Pixel pitch Photo diode EOS-1D Mark III (7.2 x 7.2mm) EOS-1Ds Mark II (7.2 x 7.2mm) EOS-1D Mark III (7.2 x 7.2mm) EOS-1D Mark II N (8.2 x 8.2mm) III. IMAGE QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS 10