Canon EOS 1D Mark III - Digital Camera SLR User Manual page 10

Combining the superb image capture capabilities of the new sensor with advanced Dual
DIGIC III Image Processors, the EOS-1D Mark III offers the widest ISO range of any DSLR in
the world (as of February 2007). The standard range of 100–3200 can be extended to a
remarkable 50–6400.* More important, the low-noise performance at high ISO settings
makes the entire range usable in real-world shooting situations.
* CIPA standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS-1D Mark II /1Ds Mark II/5D
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The EOS-1D Mark III sensor has 10.1 effective megapixels, a 25% increase over the 8.2
megapixels of the EOS-1D Mark II. Individual pixel size on the 1D Mark III's sensor is 7.2µm,
the same size as the pixels of the EOS-1Ds Mark II.
Pixels Size and ISO Speed
Camera
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS-1D Mark II
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EOS-1Ds Mark II
EOS 5D
EOS 30D
EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Although the pixel size of the 1D Mark III is 1 micron smaller than the pixel size of the
EOS-1D Mark II and Mark II
the optimized photodiode construction and more sophisticated processing of the 1D Mark III.
By optimizing the gap between the on-chip microlenses and improving the fill factor
(photodiode area divided by total pixel size) of each pixel, light-gathering efficiency has
been improved. Also, by optimizing the photodiode's structure, light-reception efficiency
has been improved. Additionally, the second-generation, on-chip noise removal circuit and
the noise reduction technology explained below combine to remove noise effectively.
This has enabled the EOS-1D Mark III to be the first EOS DSLR camera to have ISO 3200
as part of its standard ISO speed range. Dynamic range at low ISO speeds is about the
same with the 1D Mark III as it is with the EOS-1D Mark II and Mark II
1D Mark III's increased resolution.
A second-generation, on-chip, noise-reduction circuit is provided. To achieve even less
Pixel Size Photo diode area
EOS-1D Mark III (7.2 x 7.2mm)
III. IMAGE QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS
Pixels Size ISO Speed
7.2 x 7.2 100-3200, L(50), H(6400)
8.2 x 8.2
100-1600, L(50), H(3200)
7.2 x 7.2
100-1600, L(50), H(3200)
8.2 x 8.2
100-1600, L(50), H(3200)
6.4 x 6.4
100-1600, H(3200)
5.7 x 5.7
100-1600
, the photodiode size of both sensors is the same, thanks to
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Gap between microlenses
Circuit area
Pixel pitch Photo diode
EOS-1Ds Mark II (7.2 x 7.2mm)
despite the
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Photo diode area
Pixel Size
EOS-1D Mark III EOS-1D Mark II N
(7.2 x 7.2mm) (8.2 x 8.2mm)
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