III. NEW AND IMPROVED DESIGN FEATURES
12
DIGIC Image Processor
Speed of Operation
Recording Controls
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 and 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, whereas the 1Ds
writes 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 JPEGs or 11 RAW images. With its 4.1
megapixels, the 1D could do 21 JPEGs or 16 RAW images at 8 frames-per-second. The
EOS-1Ds, with 11.1 megapixels, can fire off 10 frames at 3 fps. The speed king, the
EOS-1D Mark II, can fire at 8.5 fps for up to 40 JPEGs or 20 RAW consecutive frames.
During continuous high-speed shooting, mirror blackout time becomes a serious
problem. The faster the mirror comes down and stabilizes, the clearer, sharper and
brighter the finder image is, giving a much more accurate and less fatiguing view and
giving the predictive autofocus more time to do its job. The EOS-1Ds Mark II shares with
the EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1v, 1D and 1Ds a Canon innovation called Active Mirror Control
which replaces conventional suppression of mirror rebound shock with a mechanical
system which incorporates a hook on the backside of the main mirror. The hook holds
the mirror in place when it flips down, reducing mirror bounce and shake and confining
it to a much shorter duration. The result is a mirror blackout time of 87ms.
In its normal configuration, the EOS-1Ds Mark II has the same shutter release time lag
as the EOS-1D Mark II, the EOS-1D, the EOS-1Ds and the EOS-1v film cameras, 55ms,
when stopping down within 3 stops of maximum aperture, but (as with the 1D Mark II)
the delay can be reduced to 40ms at maximum aperture with Personal Function 26,
“shorter shutter release time lag.” The startup time after the power switch is turned on
is about 0.3 sec., half the 0.6 sec. of the EOS-1Ds.
The EOS-1Ds Mark II has an increased range of recording quality selections and settings
compared with the 1Ds. The JPEG pixel count has four options: L (16.6MP), M1 (8.6MP),
DIGIC II Image Processor
