[Review] Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, 2020 Edition 'End King' DSLR Camera

[Review] Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, 2020 Edition 'End King' DSLR Camera

OUHASS    March 11, 2020   

New competition for flagship digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera has been formed. Canon's EOS-1D X Mark III and Nikon's D6 challenge each. All are aimed at the Summer Olympics to be held this year to capture fast and dynamic movements for the best results or to ensure the best shooting environment in extreme conditions. Naturally, it's big but offers a variety of features, durability and shooting reliability.

Among the products that the reporter experienced was Canon's flagship product, the EOS-1D X Mark III. It's been four years since 2016 when the previous film was released. Canon's flagship left a mysterious disappointment. In particular, there were many points about the video. Will the 3rd generation overcome disappointment and peak?

Everything you need for indoor and outdoor shooting

A casual top, a flexible topline symbolizing the EOS-1D. The old symbols are intact in 2020. The third generation maintains traditional EOS-1D. The weight is quite overwhelming in terms of current mirrorless cameras. Although it is lighter than the previous one, the battery included 1,440g. It weighs about three small mirrorless cameras. However, as much of the weight is used for durability, the completeness of the body is beyond imagination.

It is big. Width 158mm, height 167.6mm, thickness 82.6m. That's bigger than two mirrorless cameras. It takes the form of a 'one body' that combines the camera body and the vertical grip. In this form, both horizontal and vertical shooting take place naturally. Either way, the grip is designed to hold your hand and the shutter button is in each position.

Since it is not mirrorless, the mount follows the original Canon EF specification. It is not compatible with the RF standard lens of EOS-R.

Control buttons and dials are located on the front, top, and rear. In addition to the lens release button, four personal control buttons are provided around the mount where the lens is mounted. You can operate the button with your right-hand middle finger and ring finger. If you specify the necessary functions, you can easily shoot.

In the upper part, there are various buttons beside the information window. On the left side, it supports shooting mode (P / S / A / M) change, shooting method (continuous and timer), metering method, and exposure value setting. On the right are information window lighting and white balance, exposure settings, sensitivity changes, and personalization buttons. There is also a dial and shutter button for quick operation. Button operation can be a bit cumbersome, but adapting to it is a surprisingly comfortable setting.

The back is overwhelming. Starting with the menu and information button, there are a lot of shooting and video switching dials, auxiliary operation dials, and controllers (stick type) for changing settings. The LCD is 3.2 inches, with a 2.1 million pixel specification, but it does not support rotation or angle adjustment. The viewfinder is optical and offers a 100% field of view and 0.76x magnification. If you look at it, the area is quite big.

The EOS-1D X Mark III is the first to use CFexpress storage media. Nikon's XQD and connections are similar but incompatible. This specification is for storage media for high-speed input and output and is fast enough to send and receive up to 2GB capacity per second. The camera would also adopt this standard for stable 4K video recording and high-speed continuous shooting.

Once amazed by excellent performance, twice astounded by various features

Let's check the performance of EOS-1D X Mark 3. Holding the camera went out to shoot. The lens used an EF 85mm f / 1.2L II USM. The shooting mode was manually adjusted and the sensitivity adjusted accordingly. All the functions necessary for image quality are also applied to the standard.

The image sensor is a 20-megapixel specification that matches breathing with Canon's newly developed image processing unit, DIGIC X. As a result, many improvements have been made in image quality and responsiveness. Sensitivity itself will support up to 10,400 at ISO 100 and extended sensitivity will increase from ISO 50 to 81,9,200. It rose by one step compared to the previous one. As a result, the shutter speed can be secured in a low-quality image or a low light environment.

Canon has a specially designed low-pass filter in front of the image sensor to prevent image degradation and improve image quality. Inherently, the low-pass filter prevents infrared rays from being included in light and prevents screen flicker caused by complex and detailed patterns (fabrics). Recently, some products have not been equipped with filters to improve the image quality, but Canon has applied the camera to the camera in a form that utilizes its strengths.

The image quality in the high sensitivity range is not necessary. It's good to pull ISO 25,600. After ISO 51,200, the image quality deteriorates little by little, but it is rough because of the graininess of the film. In later areas, it may be used to register on the Internet by reducing the size rather than printing.

The EOS-1D X Mark 3 has several features for high definition. HEIF HDR PQ standard record is typical. First, HEIF records can record more color information while increasing efficiency, unlike existing files. It often contains up to four times more information than JPEG. Note that this function is not available in the electronic shutter mode.

The HEIF specification is already in use on the Apple iPhone. The problem is that not much software supports the format. Photoshop still doesn't recognize the HEIF specification. Separate conversion software must be used. However, if Canon applies it and many camera brands support HEIF in the future, it is expected to be as popular as JPEG.

The ability to shoot in tracking, an advantage of flagship cameras, is also impressive. The EOS-1D X Mark 3 provides 16 bursts per second. Live View mode provides about 20 bursts per second. You can quickly capture a fast-moving subject in a burst and choose one of the best results. It is suitable for shooting sports, cars (trains), and birds.

The video shooting function is also impressive. It is based on an oversampling technique that records images at 5.5K (5,500 pixels horizontal) and then converts them to 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Just as you can sharpen a high-resolution image properly, the image can be sharpened by custom processing it from a high resolution to an appropriate resolution.

It also utilizes the entire image sensor when shooting. Previously, only part of it was left unfortunate, but this time it was improved. Of course, region selection is also possible. It is up to the user whether to use the entire sensor or only part of it. 12-bit gradation data and Canon-C (Log) are included for easy editing, and the HEVC codec saves capacity. Still, the capacity of the 4K video is quite substantial.

Expensive but for the right shot ...

The camera is designed for optimal results, indoors and outdoors. Originally, the EOS-1Ds for studios and the EOS-1Ds optimized for outdoor shooting are all going to satisfy X. The third generation EOS-1D X is at its peak. Starting with the port for wireless shooting, everything from wired networks, wired releases (shutters), external microphones and earphones, and high-speed flash (strobe) jacks are available.

The only downside is the price. Boasts a body price of nearly $6,499. Considering the performance and features, this part is acceptable, but it is burdensome if you look at the price alone.

The big one has a reason. Shooting can take place in harsh environments, or even in places where snow (or rain) falls. Mirrorless is still limited in all environments. On the other hand, flagship DSLR cameras can still shoot with confidence. It's like the last pride supported by a long-running platform.

This time the completeness is considerable. The second generation, frankly, was overshadowed by the overwhelming numbers (especially sensitivity) of the D5. Is that so? Over the next four years, Canon has worked hard to fill the gaps, increasing its maturity, and eventually harvesting more. Can Canon laugh at the flagship DSLR competition this time?

[Review] Forgotten LightWeight Wireless Earphones, Fix Buzz F1

[Review] Forgotten LightWeight Wireless Earphones, Fix Buzz F1

OUHASS    March 07, 2020   

Full wireless earphones are the hottest product in recent years. There was no wire in the earphone, but the quality of life was greatly improved. In the early days, the unit didn't feel a bit clunky, but now it's a lot smaller. Most wireless earphones are based on Bluetooth, the technical standard, so there are no restrictions on playback devices. This gives consumers a variety of options.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a completely wireless earphone, aside from anything else. Is it comfortable to wear, no music breaks, and the call quality is good? If the above conditions are met, the basic product is equipped. But to make a real purchase, you need something to stand out. For example, the noise-canceling feature of the AirPods Pro is typical.

The Fix Buzz F1 Bluetooth earphones are also standard and yet distinctive. It adopts a kernel type that is commonly used in all-wireless earphones, and buttons and LED indicators are applied to both earbuds respectively. Above all, the small size that fits in the ear is noticeable. You can guess the size of the earbuds by looking at a small case that holds only one hand and leaves fingers.

Fix Buzz F1's first point, lightweight

The only thing I want to emphasize in Fix Buzz F1 is not size. Very lightweight proportional to its size is key. The weight of 3g, which hardly feels heavy, greatly reduced fatigue. The ear tips and the sections that are connected to them are slanted, so I like the fit that fits inside the ear. This is the most impressive aspect of the Fix Buzz F1.

High convenience and utilization stand out

The second reason is the high utilization. The fix Buzz F1 is different, however, in terms of how it can be used in fully wireless earphones. First of all, pairing is easy. Even if there is no pairing process, the initial setup is easy. When you open the case and remove one earbud, the LED indicator of the earbud will blink red and blue. After that, just remove the earbuds from the case without any settings and it will be connected to the playback device.

The buttons on each earbud give you virtually all media control. Different features were assigned to the left and right earbuds. For example, press the left earbud twice to play the previous song, or press the right earbud twice to play the next song. When pressed three times, the left earbud turns down the volume and the right earbud turns up the volume. Regardless of the direction, press the earbud once to play and stop music, answer and end a call, or press and hold for two seconds to reject an incoming call.

Two microphones on each earbud also play a part in improving call quality. While the call quality wasn't as overwhelming as AirPods, there wasn't much to do with just one earbud in everyday life. The other person listens to my voice relatively well. However, it is not recommended for places with a lot of people or noisy trains because they cannot catch ambient noise.

Sound characteristics, bass boost by default

Fix Buzz F1's sound supports a wide range of bands, so it's easy to listen to most genres of music, but it emphasizes bass. Satisfaction is likely to be high among users who enjoy hip-hop, dance songs, and band music. Overall, it was better to listen to melodies or low-beat music.

Also, it is noteworthy that the Bluetooth 5.0 version minimizes the interruption. Besides, it can be played for 5 hours by itself, and can be used 3 to 4 times longer when used with a charging case. It's 26$, so it doesn't support advanced features such as noise-canceling, but it's a solid product with a solid base and an advantage in terms of weight and convenience.

[Review] Fit for esports gamers, Asus VG248QG

[Review] Fit for esports gamers, Asus VG248QG

OUHASS    February 28, 2020   

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) is a game representing the first-person shooter genre. The game rules are simple enough for beginners to understand, but the game is so tense that the winner of the tournament is decided in less than 0.1 seconds. As a result, CS: GO pro gamers are known for their inherent gear and unique gaming experience.

According to eSports search site Liquipedia, both CS: GO pro gamers have a mouse that fits well in their hands, with the curvature, sensitivity, latency, and sensitivity unit settings of the mouse. Mousepads, keyboards, and headsets are also perfect for breathing, and gaming monitors are a must.

For example, Swedish national pro-gamer Maikil Kunda Selim uses Asus VQ248QE with a 144Hz refresh rate and slightly lower HD (1,280x720p) resolution than the maximum supported resolution. The monitor was selected for a fast scan rate of 144 repetitions per second and a fast response time of 1ms. The reason for using a lower resolution is not clear, but it is simply the resolution you feel comfortable with.

Conditions for esports monitors, high scan rate and response speed

The conditions that pro-gamers choose for their gaming monitors are the ones that are most comfortable for them and are responsive enough to follow the flow they play. Products like the Asus VG248QG fit this requirement. Asus VG248QG is a gaming monitor with 24-inch FHD (1,920x1,080) resolution that uses a TN panel to provide 1ms average response time based on GTG (gray to gray switching speed) and a minimum response time of 0.5ms minimum.

27-inch products are great if you play a variety of genres, but pro-gamers often choose a 24-inch monitor that can see the entire screen near the screen. Asus VG278QR with similar performance can be seen for general gamers, while Asus VG248QG is closer to 'ultra-high'.

Asus VG248QG uses a multifunctional stand to maximize the viewing angle from the sitting angle. Thanks to the multifunctional stand, the monitor screen can be tilted 90 degrees left and right, 30 degrees upward and -5 degrees downward. It also supports height adjustment up to 0 ~ 130mm and also features a pivoting function to set it up to 90 degrees. Whether you're tall or tall, you'll be able to look at the screen from the diagonal of the monitor stand.

The external input terminal is designed to fit from the old graphics card to the latest graphics card. From the left side, there is a power terminal, dual-link DVI-D terminal, HDMI terminal, display port, audio input, and an output terminal, and when connected to HDMI or display port, the sound is output from the built-in 2W stereo speaker inside the monitor.

If you want to take advantage of the Asus VG248QG's maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, you'll need to connect to a high bandwidth display port, while DVI-D and HDMI only support up to 144Hz.

It's a gaming monitor, but it also supports picture settings that look like an editor's monitor. Use the buttons on the right rear of the monitor to set GameVisual mode that supports landscape, racing, movie, RTS / RPG, FPS, sRGB, and user modes. Various image modes such as dynamic contrast ratio (ASCR) setting can be set.

Besides, it supports variable refresh rates that are important for gaming environments. Variable refresh rates match the signal sent by the graphics card to the timing at which the gaming monitor projects the screen, allowing seamless and smooth gaming. Enabling Adaptive-Sync in the menu allows you to enable AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible, depending on the type of graphics card you have in your desktop.

Not to mention the game's features, but the GamePlus feature that adds effects to the monitor. GamePlus consists of a crosshair that draws a virtual line of sight on the screen, a timer that measures the time, an FPS counter that shows the number of plays per second, and a custom guide display. The custom guide display is used for horizontal and vertical alignment when two or more monitors are placed side by side.

Asus VG248QG crosshairs, timers, and FPS counters are included in the monitor, not Windows or game programs, so they do not affect game program execution. Most games now block suspicious programs from running to prevent hacking tools, and with the ASUS VG248QG, you can use at least a crosshair or a timer.

What about the gaming performance of the Asus VG248QG?

Asus VG248QG offers up to 165Hz refresh rate settings. The refresh rate refers to the number of screen refreshes that the monitor can reproduce per second. A typical monitor has a 60 Hz refresh rate. That means you can play 60 screens per second, and the Asus VG248QG can repeat up to 165 times.

Especially in games where wins and losses are determined in milliseconds, like CS: GO, the benefits are great. In the example below, the graphics card plays 353 times per second, and the Asus VG248QG consumes 165 times. Players can enjoy the game with a video that plays at 165 frames out of 353 frames. On the other hand, if you are using the universal 60Hz refresh rate monitor, you will only see 60 of the 353 times.

If a player with a high refresh rate encounters a player with a low monitor, the higher side is likely to respond faster. The difference is, of course, insignificant, but if you're a pro-gamer, you're good enough to win or lose. Note that the pro-gamer chooses the monitor's input lag (input lag) for the signal from the graphics card to enter the screen, and the monitor selects a high refresh rate close to the basic condition.

165Hz refresh rate, 0.5ms response time

The heart of the Asus VG248QG is 165 replays per second and a response speed of at least 0.5ms. Like CS: GO, it provides the optimal conditions for enjoying a game with responsive life. Of course, the use of TN panels for fast reaction rates requires understanding. The TN panel has a high refresh rate and fast speed, but a narrow viewing angle distorts the color and brightness of the screen when viewed from left, right, up and down. If the game's main purpose is no big deal, it's not suitable for video viewing or editing.

The price of the product is in the early 279$, more expensive than the entry-level 27-inch gaming monitor. Of course, it's important to understand that the monitor itself is intended for 1% of gamers who insist on being a 24-inch responsive gaming monitor rather than the average user. If you want a perfect gaming experience like a pro gamer, what about the Asus VG248QG?