Canon
EOS-1Ds Mark III
 vs
Canon EOS
5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

100
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"In addition the adoption of high precision split-level alignment of the magnesium-alloy external covers, high precision dial construction and external rubber grip covers, has improved the camera's dust and water resistance."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
79.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.7 bits
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

90

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,663 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
24 bits
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.76x
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.76x vs 0.71x
Help
 More than 10% larger viewfinder
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 0.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 80.0 vs 79.0
Help
 Almost the same
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 98%
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 5 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 23.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
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
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 1,663 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Size Significantly smaller 152x114x75 mm vs 150x160x80 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Lowest price Much cheaper $2,330.54 vs $7,713.52
Help
 The best price we've seen is $5,383 cheaper (3.3x less)
Weight Much lighter 850 g vs 1,385 g
Help
 Around 40% lighter
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
90 vs 100
Explain scores
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonEOS-1Ds Mark III
 Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II
CanonEOS 5D Mark II
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
13
29
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
33
9
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
29
17
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
30
11
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
26
16
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
29
11
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Very low noise at high ISO Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:1,663 ISO
5D Mark II:1,815 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:80.0
5D Mark II:79.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:24 bits
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:0.76x
5D Mark II:0.71x
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
21 MP
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
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-1Ds Mark III:1,385 g
5D Mark II:850 g
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
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.
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:3,200 ISO
5D Mark II:25,600 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:5 fps
5D Mark II:3.9 fps
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
EOS-1Ds Mark III:1,600 ISO
5D Mark II:6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,329 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm lens
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,750 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Focus points Has much more focus points
Weight Is slightly heavier
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D700 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
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 much smaller sensor
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$899 - $1,304 body only

$1,138 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Pro DSLR

$5,000 - $5,930 body only
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS-1D Mark IV vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the EOS-1D Mark IV vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$579 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Size Is significantly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS-1Ds Mark III
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

appearance

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark II

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 3 comments

Avatar for Myname Myname (3:02 PM, July 27, 2011)
why would the mark III cost so much more if the mark II fares better ? 
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:31 PM, May 03, 2011)
Our comparisons only take into account the cameras features and not the price.
 
Naccistefano (1:23 PM, May 03, 2011)
ridicolo confrontare una macchina professionale da 6000 euro con una pur buona macchina ma sempre
semi-pro da 2000 euro........ ci sono mille funzioni in piu' che la 1dsmark iii ha...altrimenti alla canon sarebbero impazziti