Canon EOS 1D Mark III User Guide - Page 5

Canon has also found a way to reconfigure the microlenses that distribute light to individual pixels. The spaces between them are smaller and the way light strikes the sensor is more intelligent. The result is that less light is lost, again improving image quality. Some of the benefit of this sophistication can be found in the new ISO range of the EOS-1D Mark III, 100 to 3200 with extensions to 50 and 6400, the last figure unimaginable in a DSLR until now. Photographers will be amazed when they discover the high quality and low noise of ISOs 3200 and 6400 on the 1D Mark III. The beautiful signal from the sensor is sent via a very fast 8-channel readout to two new DIGIC III imaging engines. In the past, one such device has always sufficed, but with the EOS-1D Mark III, there was to be no compromise of either speed or image quality. The Dual DIGIC III Image Processors perform parallel processing, common nowadays in serious computers but unique among cameras, to speed through information. Their workload is increased by the fact that the new sensor captures 14-bit depth color rather than 12. The result, particularly because the 1D Mark III has the horsepower to handle these files, is exquisite gradation, 16,384 levels per color rather than 4,096 at 12 bits. Even when JPEGs (at 8 bits) are created, they are made from a superior file and the difference can be seen. Prints made from 1D Mark III files are spectacular. The dual processors make themselves known, too, in the burst performance of the EOS-1D Mark III. Large size JPEGs at compression level 8 (of 10) can be fired in barrages of 110 frames (at 10 frames per second with 10.1-megapixel files). RAW images can be shot in bursts of 30. Paparazzi of the world, your new camera has arrived. Canon has been an acknowledged leader in autofocus technology for many years. The EOS-1D Mark III project presented Canon engineers with the opportunity to perform a complete reconsideration of professional autofocus. The result is an entirely new Area AF sensor that has 19 high-precision, cross-type AF points and 26 assist AF points. The cross-type points are spread out, reaching even the extreme edges of the Area AF coverage area. The logic of AF point selection has been reconsidered, too. Any of the cross-type points can be manually selected, and they can be sorted into an outer group and an inner group so you don't have to cycle through 45 AF points any more to get to the one you want to use. Micro adjustment of autofocusing accuracy is now possible, something many pros didn't even know they could wish for, but which they will adopt with great enthusiasm. Even focus-tracking sensitivity is now adjustable. Have you ever put your camera in a spot where it was hard to look through the finder? Too high? Too low? Edge of a precipice? In the rafters at Madison Square Garden or on the inside railing at Churchill Downs? Canon has the answer: a professional Live View system, usable with camera only (you can see what the lens sees on the new, large 3.0-inch LCD monitor), or by remote control, either with a wire from the camera to a computer (in a studio, perhaps) or wirelessly with the new WFT-E2A Dedicated Wireless File Transmitter. When a computer is involved, the newly updated EOS Utility 2.0 software (included with the camera) takes care of just about everything-virtually real-time viewing, focusing, exposure, composition, firing-the lot. I. OVERVIEW 5