Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D3X — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 21.1 MP · Full Frame
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
58
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24.5 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D3X
64
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and Nikon D3X are full-frame DSLRs, released in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The D3X is the lighter body at 1260 g against 1385 g for the 1Ds Mark III, a 125 g difference. Their dimensions are close, with the Nikon slightly taller and deeper at 160 x 157 x 88 mm against 150 x 160 x 80 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | December 1, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 150 x 160 x 80 mm | 160 x 157 x 88 mm |
| Camera weight | 1385 g | 1260 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3X is the stronger choice when fine detail matters most. Its 24.5 megapixels give 3.4 million more pixels than the 21.1 megapixel 1Ds Mark III. That 16 percent pixel advantage helps large prints, heavy crops of distant wildlife and tightly framed landscapes. Its 51 autofocus points against 45 spread focus coverage wider for off-centre subjects. Expanded ISO also reaches 6400 against 3200 on the Canon for dim conditions. Several core settings match exactly. Both use CMOS sensors, shoot at up to 5 frames per second, top out at 1/8000 second, and span native ISO 100 to 1600. Both rely on optical pentaprism viewfinders, and neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld framing depends on the lens and shutter discipline. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21.1 MP050 | 24.5 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 | 6048 x 4032 |
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 35.9 |
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 | 5 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 | 10030200 |
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 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 5030200 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 capture plays no part in this choice. Timelapse is the one useful split. The D3X supports built-in interval shooting, letting you create frame-by-frame sequences of a sunset or a construction site without external gear, while the 1Ds Mark III has no built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 D3X's rear screen is far sharper for checking focus on location. Its 920,000 dots are four times the 230,000 of the 1Ds Mark III, which shows when reviewing fine detail such as eyelashes or fabric texture. The 1Ds Mark III instead offers Wi-Fi, so images can move off the camera without a cable. The rest of the control set matches closely. Both offer weather sealing for outdoor work, live view for tripod framing, and external flash support, and both have 3-inch non-touch, non-tilting LCD screens. Neither includes a built-in flash, 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 | 9200001150001500000 |
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 D3X carries the far higher battery rating, at 4400 shots against 1800 for the 1Ds Mark III, the stronger rated endurance for long shooting days. Card formats differ: the Nikon takes CompactFlash with UDMA support, while the Canon pairs CompactFlash with an SD slot, so the format you already shoot with may decide the simpler system. Both carry dual slots, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD, Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), 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 | 4400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D3X when resolution leads your work. Its extra pixels suit landscape, studio product and large-print photography, and its 51 AF points spread wider for erratic subjects. Its 4400-shot rating gives the stronger rated endurance for all-day shooting, and its sharper rear screen makes on-the-spot focus checks easier. Built-in timelapse adds a creative option the Canon lacks.
Choose the 1Ds Mark III if wireless image transfer from a shoot matters, or if your existing SD cards should work alongside CompactFlash. Both deliver full-frame 5 fps stills with weather-sealed bodies and optical viewfinders. Each takes only its own native lenses, so the Canon EF or Nikon F system you already own is the most practical starting point.