Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D3s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 21.1 MP · Full Frame
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
58
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.1 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D3s
57
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and the Nikon D3s are both DSLRs, announced in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The Canon offers far more resolution for large prints and heavy crops, while the Nikon offers a faster burst for action and a wider ISO range for dim light. The Nikon is the lighter body at 1240 g against the Canon's 1385 g, a 145 g difference. The Canon measures 150 x 160 x 80 mm and the Nikon 160 x 157 x 88 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | October 14, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 150 x 160 x 80 mm | 160 x 157 x 88 mm |
| Camera weight | 1385 g | 1240 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 1Ds Mark III is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, because its 21.1 megapixel sensor records 9 more megapixels than the D3s at 12.1. A distant bird cropped hard keeps more detail from the Canon. The D3s answers with speed, 11 frames per second against 5, more than twice the frames for a sprint finish. Low-light flexibility also differs. The D3s reaches 12800 ISO standard and 102400 expanded, against 1600 and 3200 on the Canon, leaving far more range for dim sports and evening street work. Their lens mounts differ, Canon EF against Nikon F FX. Several specifications match, including a full-frame sensor format, a CMOS sensor type and an optical pentaprism viewfinder, with no in-body stabilisation on either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21.1 MP050 | 12.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5616 x 3744 | 4256 x 2832 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 36 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Nikon F FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic III | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
450300 | 510300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion work must be shot as stills or with a separate device. The useful split is time-lapse: the D3s has a built-in intervalometer for unattended cloud or construction sequences, while the EOS 1Ds Mark III needs external triggering. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 49/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D3s gives a much more detailed review screen, with 921,000 dots against 230,000 on the Canon, roughly four times as many for checking focus. The Canon's advantage is wi-fi for wireless transfer, which the Nikon lacks. Both have a 3-inch LCD of the same type and size. Both cameras offer weather sealing, live view and external flash support, and neither has a built-in flash, a touch screen, a flip screen, GPS or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 84/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3s holds the advantage for long assignments, with its EN-EL4a battery rated at 4200 shots against 1800 for the Canon's LP-E4, under their respective test conditions. Neither camera supports USB charging, so spare batteries are charged in an external charger. Both cameras have dual memory card slots for splitting files or carrying spare capacity. The card formats differ: the Canon takes SD alongside CompactFlash Type I or II, while the Nikon takes CompactFlash Type I with UDMA. Existing SD cards fit the Canon directly. | ||
| Memory card | SD, Compact Flash (Type I or II) | CompactFlash (Type I), UDMA |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E4 | EN-EL4a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1800 shots1505000 | 4200 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III if your work rewards detail. Landscape prints, studio product shots and any framing cropped hard benefit from its 21.1 megapixel files, and its wi-fi support and SD slot help a transfer-heavy workflow.
Choose the Nikon D3s if your subjects move or the light fails. Its 11 fps burst, 12800 ISO standard range and battery rated at 4200 shots suit sports, wildlife and dim indoor events, and its more detailed screen and intervalometer help at the edit and for time-lapse.