Canon Announces EOS 1D Mark IV!

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. - Canon USA announced, today, that the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera will be arriving at authorized dealers in late December of 2009. In a press release, Canon said, "The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon's most rugged and durable professional camera body."

Above and beyond SLRs of the past, Canon says this is one of the most rugged and durable body designs it has ever manufactured. Completely weather-resistant, the EOS 1d Mark IV features 76 gaskets and seals protecting all buttons and seams on the body, which surrounds a rigid magnesium-alloy chassis.

Even with all that, Canon says the crowning achievement of the 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs.

The EOS 1D Mark IV looks to be another strong step forward in the evolution of the professional EOS lineup. At a $4,999 estimated street retail price, Canon will be asking you to open your wallets to obtain one, however. Also, with inventory being at all-time lows, one should not expect to call up your favorite online shop or walk into your local store and find a dozen sitting on the shelf. This one could be hard to find until well into 2010, but I know guys like Best Price Audio Video will be offering a pre-order option as soon as they know more specifics about price and availability.