And it's official. The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is out. Just a week after the Nikon D3S announcement, Canon has release it's latest sports pro camera to the market. The EOS 1D Mark IV announced an MSRP of $4,999.

From Canon Japan

Here's what Canon says:

The Next Chapter of EOS.

Offering a comprehensive combination of speed, accuracy and image quality, the EOS-1D Mark IV is the perfect choice for professional photographers and subjects on the move. With a completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease. An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 - 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations. Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.

External looks are very similar to the existing EOS 1D Mark III, however, a lot of internal changes were implemented.

• New 16.1 MP APS-H sensor
• New 45-point AF with 19-selectable AF points and 39 cross-type AF sensors. 5 AF patterns can be chosen as compared to the 3-pattern by the Mark III. Orientation-linked AF is available as well.
• Base ISO of 100-12800, expandable to ISO 50-102,400
• Wide gamut 920,000 LCD screen
• Dual DIGIC IV processors
• Addition of MRAW mode
• Anti-Dust Flourine coating on the low-pass filter in addition to sensor cleaning
• 1080p HD video at 1920 x 1080 - 30fps / 720p HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels - 60fps

Canon Japan has a better feature page, which can be seen here, and Canon has supplied a PDF for download describing the technology behind the camera.

Canon USA has a couple of product videos for you to view and download, particularly about the 1D IV's new AF and improved image quality, click here.  Sample images and video can be seen on this page.

Just like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II release, Canon has Vincent LaForet shoot a short film with the EOS 1D Mark IV at 1080P, view the large version in Smugmug.

Imaging Resource has a good preview,  as does Rob Galbraith. Surprisingly, DPreview does not have any news or previews for the 1D Mark IV as of this posting.

DPInterface has published a very in-depth preview with full size, high-iso images including 102,400.

Brian Dixen has published a two-part hands-on preview already. Translated pages here and here.

Personally, with all the "50th anniversary" hype going on the past few months, this release seems lacking. Not discounting the technological advancements made to the camera, but with the D3s announced a week earlier, the comparison isn't that far apart and I think the full-frame sensor of the D3s will provide better low-light performance. We'll just have to see what the bench test results will be when dpreview and other sites publish it.