Canon EOS-1D Mark II N vs Canon EOS-1D X

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X
      58
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      70
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and the Canon EOS-1D X, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N was introduced in August 2005 and Canon EOS-1D X was introduced in October 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Highlights

      • 8.2 MP APS-H CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 45 Focus Points
      • 2.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 8.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Canon EOS-1D X Highlights

      • 18.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 51,200 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 14.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
      4. Advantage of Canon EOS-1D X
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and Canon EOS-1D X.

      PROS

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1120 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      •   Sensor Resolution - 18.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 14.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82

      Advantage of Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon 1D II N
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS-1D Mark II N over Canon EOS-1D X.

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N vs Canon EOS-1D X
      Timelapse Recording vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS-1D Mark II N.

      Canon 1D III
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      APS-H

      10.1 MP

      Canon 1D X II
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      Full Frame

      20.2 MP

      Canon 1Ds II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      17.2 MP

      Canon 1D C
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Canon 1D IV
      Image cannot be found

      APS-H

      16.1 MP

      Canon 1D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-H

      4 MP

      Canon 1D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D X III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      20.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      11 MP

      Canon 1Ds III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A55
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony a7 IV
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      33.0 MP

      Advantage of Canon EOS-1D X

      Canon 1D X
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS-1D X over Canon EOS-1D Mark II N.

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N vs Canon EOS-1D X
      Video Capture vs
      Larger Sensor APS-H vs Full Frame
      Higher Sensor Resolution 8.2 Megapixel vs 18.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 51,200
      Max Image Resolution 3504 x 2336 vs 5184 x 3456
      Higher Bit Depth 12-Bit vs 14-Bit
      More Focus Points 45 vs 61
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.0" vs 3.2"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 1,040k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.55x vs 0.76x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 8.5 fps vs 14.0 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Average Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Lower Min Metering +1 EV vs 0 EV
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 975 vs 2786
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.3 vs 23.8
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.2 vs 11.8
      Higher DxO Overall Score 66 vs 82
      HDMI Output vs Mini
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz) vs 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS-1D X.

      Canon 1D II
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D C
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Canon 1D
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      APS-H

      4 MP

      Canon 1D IV
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      APS-H

      16.1 MP

      Canon 1D X II
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      Full Frame

      20.2 MP

      Canon 1D X III
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      Full Frame

      20.1 MP

      Canon 1D III
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      APS-H

      10.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds
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      Full Frame

      11 MP

      Canon 1Ds III
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      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds II
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      Full Frame

      17.2 MP

      Nikon D5100
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Canon EOS-1D X
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Environmental Sealing
        Many Storage Slots22
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Canon EOS-1D X
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional LC-5 transmitter
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        Heavy1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N has a 2.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon EOS-1D X has a 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N features a 8.2 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor with dimensions of 28.7 x 19.1 mm and a total area of 548.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon EOS-1D X features a 18.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,200 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N can take pictures up to 3504 x 2336 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3104 x 2072, 2544 x 1696, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon EOS-1D X is equipped with Dual DIGIC 5+ processor and can take pictures up to 5184 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Canon EF lens mount. Due to APS-H sensor in Canon EOS-1D Mark II N its crop factor is equal to 1.3x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS-1D X its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS-1D Mark II N it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS-1D X nothing can be done. On Canon EOS-1D X it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS-1D Mark II N nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N has a USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS-1D X comes with LP-E4N battery pack with battery life of 1120 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N has two card slots - one for SD and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II). Canon EOS-1D X has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA 7) card slots.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, and up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1D X. Canon EOS-1D Mark II N can shoot continuously up to 8.5 fps. Canon EOS-1D X can shoot continuously up to 14.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N has 45 focusing points and Canon EOS-1D X has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points. Canon EOS-1D X has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and Canon EOS-1D X range from +1 to +20 EV and 0 to +20 EV respectively and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and ±5 EV range on Canon EOS-1D X. You can also do and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1D X.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection to Canon EOS-1D X. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N body has dimensions of 156 x 158 x 80 mm (6.14 x 6.22 x 3.15") and Canon EOS-1D X body has dimensions of 158 x 164 x 83 mm (6.22 x 6.46 x 3.27"). Canon EOS-1D Mark II N weighs 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz) and Canon EOS-1D X weighs 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz).

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      156 mm

      158 mm

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      158 mm

      164 mm

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      158 mm

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      164 mm

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      80 mm

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      83 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and Canon EOS-1D X

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and Canon EOS-1D X for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      GOOD
      77
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.5 fps
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      74
      •   51,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 14.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1120 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.5 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   51,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 14.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1120 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      GOOD
      70
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      POOR
      50
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1120 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and Canon EOS-1D X and give them scores of 58 and 70 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      70

      Sensor

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 18.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   51,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82

      Photo

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 14.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      73
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

      Canon EOS-1D X

      GOOD
      78
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      •   2 Storage Slots
      GOOD
      71
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1120 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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