Canon has released its whitepaper for its new flagship model, the APS-H endowed EOS-1D Mark IV. Full of insanely detailed notes on the new technology inside this beast, and clearly stating where it differs from the last generation, this is a must read for any pro out there seriously interested in what to expect from the new Mark IV.

The whitepaper itself is quite extensive–123 pages, actually– and if you don’t find yourself dreadfully interested in such things as the construction of cross-type sesnors, this is probably not the read for you. Although, at this level, if you’re not concerned with how that technology affects your photography, this might not be the camera for you, either (the stellar EOS 7D might be more your thing).

I’ve made it through bits of it, and here are some highlights:

Highly responsive AF systems offer accurate predictive AF (they focus quickly on subjects in the AF frame), but they have difficulty stabilizing focus if the subject leaves the AF frame during AI Servo AF continuous shooting. The 1D Mark III, highly responsive by design, consequently has a lower probability of accurately focusing on fast-moving subjects that are hard to keep within the AF frame. With the new 1D Mark IV AI Servo II AF algorithm, stability, reliability and AF precision have all been improved without a sacrifice in responsiveness. Predictive AF is more intelligent and avoids over-response, and difficult lighting — both low contrast and very bright conditions — is handled better.

Note that although the maximum aperture of the following lenses or combinations is f/4, cross-type focusing with 39 AF points is now possible with these current lenses:

• EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
• EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
• EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM + Extender EF1.4x II
• EF 200mm f/2L IS USM + Extender EF2x II
• EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM + Extender EF1.4x II
• EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM + Extender EF1.4x II

C.Fn III-3: (AI Servo 1st/2nd image priority) has had the optional [3: Release/Tracking priority] setting added. Shutter-release priority (rather than focus priority) is given to the first shot. During continuous shooting (from the second shot onward), stable focus-tracking of the subject is given priority. This new setting, which was the only option for AI Servo AF release/tracking priority with the original EOS-1D, EOS-1D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark II N, was conspicuously absent on the EOS-1D Mark III. Now, EOS-1D Mark IV users will have the best of both worlds together with the new improvements to AF hardware and software.

There you go, straight from big red’s mouth. Canon has obviously done a lot of soul-searching in the making of this camera, and what I’m reading in the whitepaper is very level-headed and solid. This should be quite a camera, if these changes hold true…

Canon’s EOS-1D Mark IV Whitepaper