Canon EOS-1D X in the test

The personal settings such as wireless flashing, focusing and image series are unrivaled. But the weight also: It goes back to the thick battery in the integrated high-grip handle with the second button set. Do not use filmmakers, but a flip-up display would be helpful.


But whoever is serious about filming, finds great cinema here. The camera harmonizes very well with the bright Canon CN-E focal lengths and zoom optics. Only their wide opening and seamless, elegant sharpening and iris control show what is involved with shooting with a small depth of focus - and demote the photo-optics to toys.


But the expensive and heavy optics need the stable bayonet of the 1D X, which carries it without the slightest play. Since the camera can be kept quiet despite the great handgrip, at least one shoulder stand is required.


How to work in Ultra HD


The camera can also score with photo optics. It is fully manually adjustable, only one tracking autofocus is missing. It was also quite strange: it was not possible to output a full-format picture of the highest quality via the HDMI output.


In this case, the filmprofessionals like to connect an extra recorder to output the video live and uncompressed. Probably the best recording quality of the 1D X with nearly 100 megabit data transfer per second, which is hardly ever compressed, makes such a function obsolete


Instead, it is recommended to connect a high-resolution viewfinder, which is offered by accessory specialists. The sound control of the microphone is well solved, timecode synchronization or remote control together with data transmission via Ethernet is feasible. Too bad: The monitor image goes out when the GPS function starts.


Buying advice: Five HD camcorders in the test


Almost the same filmmaking capabilities as the 1D X has the EOS-5D Mark III at half price, even if its sensor produces more noise at more pixels. The visual, the contrast and the best low-light reproduction convinced, although the scenes were very hard, but all the more plastic. Red will light up slightly, and the filmmaker will have to switch off the automatic contrast and turn on the vignetting correction. Then you create 1A movies.


A camera for best results, but only for professionals - both photo- and video-side. Amateurs and occasional filmmakers are not only having a weight problem with the test winner, but they are also not happy with Rig accessories because of the lack of folding monitors.