PhotoPlus Expo 2011 – Canon 1D X Close-up – All those buttons!

After you get over the sheer heft of the Canon 1D X, the next thing you notice is all those buttons! With over 30-buttons, this camera is a high-tech mission control. Many of these buttons can even be customized by the user to create a unique system to match its unique operator. Canon states the following in the press release:

Photographers familiar with Canon’s EOS 1D-series of cameras will notice the control configuration of the EOS-1D X takes a different approach to button placement. The re-designed exterior and ergonomic button configuration feels comfortable in your right hand, allowing seamless navigation through menu options.The Live View Button has been conveniently placed near the user’s thumb for one-touch switching between Live View and Viewfinder shooting. The Quick Control Button and menu navigation controls will allow users to change camera settings using only their right hand, for fast, simple one-handed control using their thumb on the scroll wheel. The new multi-controller is positioned by the right hand thumb when the camera is held for vertical shooting and enables the same level of control to camera operators when shooting vertically as they have when shooting horizontally. On the front of the camera are four user assignable function buttons, two for vertical shooting and two for horizontal shooting, allowing customizable button control when shooting in either position. The camera also features a level of weather resistance equivalent to earlier professional models such as the EOS-1D Mark IV.

Take a look at the photos from the finalized pre-production Canon 1D X which I took at PhotoPlus Expo last week. The camera will be available in March 2012.