Canon confirms 1D X Mark III imminent

Canon has announced the development of the EOS 1D X Mark III, the successor to the three year-old 1D X Mark II, and the new flagship in the company's EF-mount lineup.

According to a press release, the EOS-1D X Mark III will continue to prioritise 'speed, image quality and durability for the most demanding of professional photographers.'

Although details are still scant, Canon says the new camera will feature an all-new CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF and a new Digic processor. With this, the camera will be able to shoot 10-bit HEIF files (High Efficiency Image File) for wider dynamic range and color representation compared with JPEG.

AF and AE tracking will see a big improvement, with up to 16 frames-per-second shooting using the OVF and 20 with live view. With live view, photographers can choose to shoot using either the mechanical shutter or electronic shutter. Canon says there's also a new AF algorithm, which features more stable performance and will utilise deep learning technology to further improve tracking capabilities.

Although we don't know don't know how many AF points there will be, Canon says the Mark III will have approximately 28x the number of effective pixels compared with its predecessor. There's also dual CF Express card slots, and the buffer has been increased by five times compared to its predecessor.

Canon haven't cut corners with the camera's video capabilities either, with 10-bit, 4:2:2 video footage at up to 4K/60p, as well as a C-Log profile.

Other features include the same LP-E19 battery (albeit with improved performance), back-lit buttons and a magnesium-alloy body.

Details regarding pricing and availability aren't yet available, but the EOS-1D X Mark III will be on display as a reference exhibit at the Canon booth during PHOTOPLUS, the largest annual photography event in the U.S, held this weekend in New York City.