Canon has announced the development of its next flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark III.

The successor to the EOS-1D X Mark II is being engineered and designed using feedback from the worldwide community of EOS-1D X and EOS-1D X Mark II photographers. The new camera offers an enhanced autofocus system, with dramatically improved still and video image quality and communication.

Canon promised that the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III will be "blisteringly fast - offering exceptional precision, reliability, high-performance autofocus and subject tracking."

The camera’s new autofocus algorithm will improve stability and tracking when using both the Optical Viewfinder and in Live View shooting mode, using Deep Learning Technology and adapting to help facilitate accurate focus tracking for every shot. When using the optical viewfinder the camera will use a new autofocus sensor, with approximately 28 times the resolution in the center of the EOS-1D X Mark II. Offering the ability to autofocus in even brighter and darker situations than before and with greater precision, the camera will have a range of autofocus capabilities, which will enable the photographer to get their shot. In Live View mode, users will be able to make use of 525 AF areas using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system will cover approximately 90x100 percent of the image sensor. The camera will support significantly faster frame rates with full AF and AE, using either the optical viewfinder (up to approximately 16fps mechanical shutter) or Live View (up to approximately 20fps mechanical or electronic shutter). Additionally, the camera’s dual CFexpress card slots will enable more than five times the RAW burst depth of its predecessor.

The camera will support an all new, Canon-developed, CMOS sensor and DIGIC processor, that promises to deliver greater image quality, at even higher ISOs, with the ability to capture stills in 10-bit using the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) file format. HEIF produces wider dynamic range and greater color representation compared to JPEG. The power of 4K resolution brings stories to life – shoot 4K videos including 4K60p with 10-bit 4:2:2 Canon Log internal recording.

For professionals, content delivery is just as important as image capture – the EOS-1D X Mark III will make it easy, featuring built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth low-energy connectivity in addition to GPS technology. To keep pace with ever-shortening deadlines, the camera will transfer data at more than twice the speed of the EOS-1D X Mark II when using the built-in Ethernet connection, or the new optional wireless file transmitter – the WFT-E9, which is also compatible with Canon’s recently launched Cinema EOS C500 Mark II camera.

The camera will now feature select illuminated buttons that allow for precision operation in dark and dimly lit conditions. The camera will also offer a new additional control for selecting AF points, built into the AF-ON button, allowing photographers to change AF points on-the-fly for the best composition. In addition, improved battery life – with the same LP-E19 – will allow professionals to shoot for longer periods of time, without having to change batteries.

Canon did not provide any details regarding pricing and availability.