While Canon may have a job on its hands to persuade EOS-1D MK IV users that they don't need the 1.3x crop factor and EOS-1Ds MKIII users that they don't need 21 million pixels, the 1DX doesn't fail to impress.

It's also clear that Canon has listened to feedback about its pro-level cameras when it was designing the 18 million effective pixel 1DX.

An extra mini-joystick multi-controller, for example, now provides a means of navigating the menu and selecting AF points when the camera is used in portrait format. It makes it much easier to switch between AF points when shooting in the upright orientation. It's a shame that the menu doesn't rotate as well though.

Furthermore, the new menu arrangement has a tab and a series of screens dedicated to the AF settings. While this has similar controls to those available in the EOS-1D MK IV and EOS 7D, they are put in much clearer terms, with 6 different types of shooting conditions listed. There's also a help menu to explain pertinent features.

Perhaps the EOS 7D could have a firmware upgrade to introduce this new user interface?

Although the menu is extensive, as usual with a Canon SLR now, it is divided into sections under tabbed headings.

Pressing the Q (Quick menu) button cycles between the tabs while the multi-controllers or main dial can be used to scroll through the various options.

The large control dial on the back of the camera is also touch-sensitive during video shooting and it can be used to adjust the exposure compensation to +-5EV and sound levels.

Tapping the top or bottom of the dial switches between the two options, while tapping the left or right sides adjusts the settings. Clever and quiet.

Autofocus

Having 61 AF points may seem excessive, but they provide better coverage of the scene and this is particularly useful with moving subjects.

The EOS-1DX's 61 points are still clustered around the center of the frame, but they cover more of it than previous Canon cameras are able to.

Getting complete frame coverage would require a much bigger AF sensor and that would require a more fundamental redesign of the camera.

Above: Canon EOS-1DX AF sensor

Although it's possible to select individual AF points, they can also be selected in groups of varying sizes to make their selection quicker and easier if it suits the subject.

Our time with the EOS-1DX indicates that the normal phase detection AF system is capable of locking onto subjects very quickly even in very low light. Switch to live view or video mode, however and the contrast detection system is predictably slower and more hesitant – not much new to report there then.