Canon
EOS-1D Mark IV
 vs
Canon
EOS-1Ds Mark III

Updated (October, 2011): Compare the Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

100

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.76x
True resolution
 High true resolution
21 MP
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

93
"Very good high ISO performance even at 25,600"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's iso-noise
"Highly detailed 16MP images in a wide range of condition"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
104 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
39
Light sensitivity (boost)
 High ISO (boost)
102,400 ISO

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 10 fps vs 5 fps
Help
 2x faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1D Mark IV's maximum light sensitivity is 3 f-stops better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1D Mark IV's boost ISO is 5 f-stops better
Lowest price Cheaper $4,999.99 vs $7,713.52
Help
 The best price we've seen is $2,714 cheaper (around 40% less)
Weight Lighter 1,230 g vs 1,385 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Viewfinder size Much larger viewfinder 0.76x vs 0.59x
Help
 Around 70% larger viewfinder
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,663 ISO vs 1,320 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1Ds Mark III has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 74.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 22.8 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.2 more bits of color
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-H 27.9x18.6mm
Help
 Around 70% larger sensor
True resolution Higher true resolution 21 MP vs 16 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
93 vs 100
Explain scores
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonEOS-1D Mark IV
 Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
CanonEOS-1Ds Mark III
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
15
17
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
31
8
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
10
22
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
15
18
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
21
11
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
15
16
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:1,320 ISO
EOS-1Ds Mark III:1,663 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:74.0
EOS-1Ds Mark III:80.0
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Weight Heavy Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:1,230 g
EOS-1Ds Mark III:1,385 g
Lowest price Very expensive Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:$4,999.99
EOS-1Ds Mark III:$7,713.52
Size Large Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:156x157x80 mm
EOS-1Ds Mark III:150x160x80 mm
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,400 body only

$2,799 - $2,839 with 24-105mm lens
Size Is significantly smaller
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$8,000 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3X vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D3X vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Battery life Has a much longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D3S vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D3S vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,329 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Size Is significantly smaller
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$6,000 body only
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D4 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D4 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,097 body only

$1,227 with 55-200mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,750 body only
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Size Is significantly smaller
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Much less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D700 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D700 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

appearance

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 1 comments

Guest (6:18 PM, October 15, 2011)
Um,

The 1DsMkIII DOES have weather sealing - ALL 1-series EOS bodies do.