Bas Stubert Photography: Camera review: The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV was Canon's flagship DSLR in the early 2010s, preceded by the EOS-1D Mark III and succeeded by the EOS-1D X. As such, it was the last pure action EOS-1D with an APS-H sized sensor. Its successor, the full frame EOS-1D X, succeeded both the EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds series, the Ds series being the studio cameras of the series.

Photo by Joeri van Veen a.k.a. Ruige Hond

Specifications

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Built: 2009-2012

Mount: Canon EF

Sensor: 29.9 x 18.6 mm, 16.1 megapixel, 1.3x crop factor

Storage: SD and CF cards

Image size (max): 4896 x 3244

Dust removal: yes

Shutter speeds: 30 seconds - 1/8.000th of a second, B

Self timer: yes

Size: 156 mm wide, 157 mm high and 80 mm deep

Weight: 1.4 kilo with battery

Light metering: yes, TTL

Hot shoe: yes

Battery: LP-E4

Frame rate: 10 frames per second

Camera manual: click here (PDF)

Using the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

I bought my Canon EOS-1D Mark IV (let's call it the Mark IV from now on) six months ago, together with a Canon EOS-1 35mm film camera which I've reviewed a few months ago. So what are my thoughts after six months of shooting with the Mark IV?

In some ways, it's like I've never stopped shooting with EOS-1D series cameras. It's been over ten years since I've replaced my EOS-1Ds Mark II with my Canon EOS 5DsR and yet it's like there was no ten-plus years hiatus. I've always liked the way the 1 series controls are set up, no dials that might move unintentionally. The Mark IV feels the same as its predecessors. Yes, it is big but the ergonomics are superb.

Feature wise the big plus for me is dust removal. Oh, how I wish my earlier Canons had this function. Resolution wise, the Mark IV carries a 16.1 megapixel sensor. That may not seem much these days but remember, the 1D series were never meant to have a lot of pixels. They were meant to go fast! Even the current Canon flagship camera, the EOS R1, still has a very modest 24.2 megapixel sensor. The big megapixel sensors went in their EOS 5D/R5 series cameras. And is it fast? For a DSLR it certainly is with a whopping 10 frames per second.

The Mark IV in 2026

I've used the Mark IV shooting fast-paced aviation, multiple photo projects and on holidays. In a way, this could be considered my every-day-camera. Not because it is light or anything, but because it performs well under pretty much all circumstances. Yes, the sensor is not that big but even that, funnily enough, has a plus side: I can capture way more photos on a single card. A simple 32GB card will serve me for days. For most things, the image quality is more than enough and the photos are sharp. It is only if I want to capture way more detail or when I shoot indoors that I would reach for another, more modern camera. So is there a place for the Mark IV in 2026? I'd say yes!

In the field

Below you'll find some sample shots taken with de Mark IV in the last six months.