Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II vs Nikon D800

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Slightly more lenses available

125 lenses

121 lenses

Almost the same

Thinner

3.1"

3.2"

Almost the same

Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Advantages of the Nikon D800

Much larger screen

3.2"

2.0"

More than 60% larger screen

Much better image quality

95.0

74.0

Around 30% better image quality

Significantly lower noise at high ISO

2,853 ISO

1,480 ISO

The D800 has a slight edge (0.9 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance

More dynamic range

14.4 EV

11.3 EV

3.1 f-stops more dynamic range

Much higher resolution screen

921k dots

230k dots

More than 4x higher resolution screen

Much higher true resolution

36.2 MP

16.6 MP

Capture more than 2x more detail in your photos

Has live view

Yes

Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them

Shoots movies

1080p @ 30fps

None

Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures

Better color depth

25.3 bits

23.3 bits

Distinguishes 2 more bits of color

Weather sealed

Yes

Sealed to shoot in the rain

Video autofocus

Contrast detection

None

Automatically focuses shooting video

Smaller

146x123x82 mm

156x158x80 mm

Around 30% smaller

Much lighter

900 g

1,565 g

More than 40% lighter

Better maximum light sensitivity

6,400 ISO

1,600 ISO

The D800's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better

Slightly larger viewfinder

0.72x

0.70x

Around 10% larger viewfinder

Built-in flash

Yes

A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light

Better boost ISO

25,600 ISO

3,200 ISO

The D800's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better

Learn more about
the Nikon D800

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

59	vs	100
Explain scores

Nikon D800

Snapsort recommends the Nikon D800.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Very large sensors

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
D800:	Full frame 35.9x24.0mm

Above average viewfinder size

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	0.70x
D800:	0.72x

	Both have pentaprism viewfinders
	Pentaprism

	Above average viewfinder coverage
	100%

	Multiple storage slots
	2

	Fast max shutter speeds
	1/8000 of a second

Heavy

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	1,565 g
D800:	900 g

Large

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	156x158x80 mm
D800:	146x123x82 mm

	No flip-out screens
	Less flexible

	Slow continuous shooting
	4 fps

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

Poor maximum light sensitivity

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	1,600 ISO
D800:	6,400 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Supports RAW
	Better editing

Poor boost ISO

EOS-1Ds Mark II:	3,200 ISO
D800:	25,600 ISO

dxomark

competitors

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only

Is thinner

Is slightly heavier

Has fewer storage slots

Compare the D700 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the D700 vs the D800

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Shoots faster continuously

Slightly more lenses available

Has a much smaller sensor

Lacks a built in HDR feature

Compare the D7000 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the D7000 vs the D800

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,198 body only

$2,898 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Is thinner

Has fewer storage slots

Slightly less viewfinder coverage

Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D800

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Shoots faster continuously

Slightly more lenses available

Has fewer storage slots

Has a much smaller sensor

Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the EOS 7D vs the D800

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$830 - $897 body only

$1,199 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens

Slightly more lenses available

Is slightly smaller

Has a slower max shutter speed

Has fewer storage slots

Compare the D90 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the D90 vs the D800

Sony SLT A77

Pro DSLR

$1,398 body only

$1,998 with 16-50mm lens

Has image stabilization

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has fewer storage slots

Has a much smaller sensor

Compare the SLT A77 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the SLT A77 vs the D800

Nikon D3

Pro DSLR

Shoots faster continuously

Has a much longer battery life

Is thicker

Is significantly heavier

Compare the D3 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Compare the D3 vs the D800

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Pro DSLR

Much larger screen

Has live view

More noise at high ISO

Smaller viewfinder

Compare the EOS-1D Mark III vs the EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

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

Many more cross-type focus points

Better maximum light sensitivity

Significantly worse image quality

Less dynamic range

Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the D800

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Shoots much faster

Much longer battery life

Much lower true resolution

Worse image quality

Compare the D4 vs the D800

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Much longer battery life

Lower noise at high ISO

Much lower true resolution

Significantly worse image quality

Compare the D3S vs the D800

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Has a flip-out screen

Significantly more lenses available

Much more noise at high ISO

Significantly worse image quality

Compare the D5100 vs the D800

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CanonEOS-1Ds Mark II vs NikonD800

Nikon D800

Reasons to buy the Nikon D800