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Canon EOS-1D Mark II Canon doubles the resolution of their speed demon SLR, while actually increasing its speed and cutting image noise. Amazing! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet EOS-1D Mark II Sample Images EOS-1D Mark II Imatest Results EOS-1D Mark II Photo Gallery! --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Comparison, Canon EOS-1D Mark II vs EOS-1D 3. Executive Overview 4. Design 5. Viewfinder 6. Sensor, Noise Reduction, and Optics 7. Exposure 8. The "Red Problem," Description and Workaround 9. Flash 10. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 11. Operation & User Interface 12. Camera Modes & Menus 13. Image Storage & Interface 14. Video, Power, Software 15. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on EOS-1D Mark II Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 13:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 01/27/2005

Image Storage and Interface

The Canon EOS-1D Mark II stores images on either a CompactFlash Type I or II or SD/MMC memory card (or both), and is compatible with Hitachi MicroDrives. A dual-slot memory card compartment on the rear panel accommodates both formats. The Mark II does not come with a memory card, but accessory cards are currently available in a large range of sizes. The Mark II allows you to write-protect individual images via the Protect option of the Playback menu, which saves them from accidental erasure or manipulation, but not from card formatting, which erases the entire card.

The Mark II offers four resolution sizes: 3,504 x 2,336; 3,104 x 2, 072; 2,544 x 1,696; and 1,728 x 1,152 pixels. A full range of JPEG compression levels are available as well, from one to 10. There's also a RAW mode, which records all the information from the CCD, without any processing. The camera can be configured to save both a RAW and JPEG-compressed image at the same time, for every shot captured. Given a large enough memory card, this looks like a very useful operating mode, giving you a ready-to-use JPEG file as well as a "digital negative" in the form of the RAW file. RAW-format images can be processed on the host computer to change White Balance and even Color Matrix settings. Exposure can also be adjusted by as much as +/- 2 EV on a RAW file. Canon includes a utility for processing and viewing RAW files as part of its Solution disk.

Following is the approximate number of storable images and the associated compression ratios for a 256 MB CompactFlash card. File sizes and compression ratios shown here are based on the default JPEG compression settings used by the camera (8). Higher or lower compression ratios would obviously increase or decrease file sizes.

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality 256 MB Memory Card		Fine (10)	Normal (6)	Basic (1)	RAW
3504 x 2336	Images (Avg size)	44 5.8 MB	96 2.7 MB	248 1.0 MB	31-47 8.2-5.4 MB
	Approx. Compression	4:1	9:1	24:1	3:1 - 5:1
3104 x 2072	Images (Avg size)	55 4.6 MB	118 2.1 MB	290 881 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	4:1	9:1	22:1	-
2544 x 1696	Images (Avg size)	74 3.4 MB	149 1.7 MB	353 725 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	4:1	8:1	18:1	-
1728 x 1152	Images (Avg size)	128 2.0 MB	253 1.0 MB	499 513 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	3:1	6:1	11:1	-

Interface software and an IEEE-1394 "FireWire" cable also accompany the camera, for high speed connection to a PC or Macintosh. A USB cable also comes with the camera, for direct printing to DPOF- and Pictbridge-compatible printers.