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

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

76

Winner

Canon EOS-1Ds

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1Ds

Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.76x
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

71

"Highly detailed 16MP images in a wide range of condition"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's image-quality
"Superb build quality with magnesium alloy body and environmental sealing"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
10 fps
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Cross type focus points
Many cross-type focus points
39

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
4x higher resolution screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 10 fps vs 5 fps
Help
2x faster continuous shooting
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 39 vs 19
Help
Grab focus in difficult situations
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 Significantly cheaper $4,999.99 vs $9,135.19
Help
The best price we've seen is $4,135 cheaper (around 50% 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

Viewfinder size Much larger viewfinder 0.76x vs 0.59x
Help
Around 70% larger viewfinder
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
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,663 ISO vs 1,320 ISO
Help
The EOS-1Ds has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
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
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
71 vs 76
Explain scores
Canon EOS-1Ds Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

advice

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I am considering either the EOS-1D Mark IV or the EOS-1Ds,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points Many focus points Help
45
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Cross type focus points Many cross-type focus points Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:39
EOS-1Ds:19
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:1,385 g
Lowest price Very expensive Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:$4,999.99
EOS-1Ds:$9,135.19
Size Large Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:156x157x80 mm
EOS-1Ds:150x160x80 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:12,800 ISO
EOS-1Ds:1,600 ISO
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Size Is significantly smaller
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Dynamic range Has slightly narrower dynamic range
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger

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

discussion

Showing 1 comments

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

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