Canon

LIST PRICE: $6,999 (EOS-1Ds Mark III); $4,999 (EOS-1D Mark IV); $3,999 (EOS-1D Mark III); $2,499 (EOS 5D Mark II)

FEATURES: Currently, the EOS 5D Mark II and the EOS-1D Mark IV are the only two pro Canon cameras to offer video capabilities. The EOS-1D Mark IV includes full 1080p HD at multiple frame rates—30p, 24p and 25p, as well as 720p in 60p and 50p. There's also standard-definition video capture at 640x480 in 50 or 60 fps. A built-in monaural mic is included for basic ambient audio, and stereo sound can be captured through an optional external microphone.

Light sensitivity has seen a lot of progress in cameras over the last two years, and the EOS-1D Mark IV matches the Nikon D3S for most sensitive camera, with an expandable ISO range of 50 to 102,400, though the D3S starts at ISO 100. Dual DIGIC 4 image processors help to minimize extra noise produced at such large levels of light sensitivity, and the EOS-1D Mark IV has tested very well all the way up to ISO 25,600.

The EOS-1D Mark IV's body includes the familiar button layout of the 1D line and magnesium-alloy construction with dust- and water-resistant sealing, which makes it tough enough for use in most locations. The shutter is designed for a life cycle of 300,000 clicks, and the Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System reduces dust within the camera.

The EOS-1D Mark IV is fully compatible with the EOS system of accessories and more than 50 EF lenses. Thanks to the APS-H-format sensor, there's a 1.3x crop factor, and the EOS-1D Mark IV isn't compatible with EF-S lenses with smaller APS-C image circles.

Canon still offers the most camera models in the $2,000 and above class. Introduced in February 2007, the 10.1-megapixel EOS-1D Mark III maintains its rank as a top shooter, with a maximum burst rate of 10 fps in up to 30 RAW files or more than 100 JPEGs. That has a lot to do with the APS-H sub-full-frame sensor, however, and somewhat outdated full resolution of only 3888x2592 pixels. The EOS-1D Mark III also introduced Live View to the Canon line, which later would provide the groundwork for video in the 21.1-megapixel EOS 5D Mark II, incredibly popular for introducing video capabilities and sweet-spot full-frame pricing to the Canon DSLR line in September 2008. The 21.1-megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark III was announced in August 2007. Just like the EOS-1D Mark III, it has dual DIGIC III processing, but the sensor is full frame (designated by the "s" in the name) and the maximum burst rate is a more restrained 5 fps, thanks to larger image resolution of 5616x3744 pixels.

Announced in October 2009, the 16.1-megapixel EOS-1D Mark IV, like the full-frame EOS 5D Mark II, provides HD video capabilities on a pro body, although, unlike the EOS-1D Mark II, it has an APS-H-format CMOS sensor with a still respectable image resolution of 4896x3264. Because of the smaller sensor, burst rates are as fast as the EOS-1D Mark III, the EOS-1D Mark IV's predecessor, with 10 fps in up to 28 RAW images or 121 large JPEGs. When it was first released, the EOS-1D Mark III had its share of autofocusing issues, and Canon made sure the EOS-1D Mark IV addressed those concerns, thanks to a 45-point autofocus system that sports brand-new AI Servo II AF focus tracking and 39 cross-type sensors that are sensitive to both the horizontal and vertical axis. While visually almost identical to the EOS-1D Mark III, the EOS-1D Mark IV also updates the model's resolution from 10.1 MP to 16.1 MP.