Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18.1 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 1D X
64
WINNER
|
Canon · DSLR · 21 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
58
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II are both full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, so the same EF lenses fit either body without adapters. The 1D X arrived in 2011, three years after the 5D Mark II. The 1D X is the far larger and heavier body at 158 x 164 x 83 mm and 1530 g. The 5D Mark II is smaller at 152 x 114 x 75 mm and lighter at 850 g, a 680 g saving that suits travel and hiking. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 18, 2011 | September 17, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 164 x 83 mm | 152 x 114 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 5D Mark II is the stronger choice when file resolution matters most. Its 21 MP sensor gives more pixels than the 18.1 MP 1D X for large prints and tighter landscape or portrait crops. For moving subjects the 1D X is decisively better equipped. It shoots at 14 fps against 3.9 fps, and its 61 autofocus points against 9 give far more coverage for tracking a player or bird across the frame. Its standard ISO range extends to 51200 against 6400, providing higher settings for very dim scenes. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18.1 MP050 | 21 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 5616 x 3744 |
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. |
14 fps045 | 3.9 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 | Canon EF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Digic 5+ | Digic 4 |
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. |
512003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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. |
2048003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
610300 | 90300 |
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 | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 1D X is the better video body for motion work. Both cameras top out at Full HD resolution and write MOV files. The 1D X also offers the higher maximum frame rate, 60 fps against 30 fps, so you can halve playback speed for smooth slow motion of sport or dancing. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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. |
MOV | MOV |
| Features | 59/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 1D X gives you a clearer view after the shot. Its 3.2 inch TFT LCD carries 1040000 dots against the 5D Mark II's 3 inch screen with 920000 dots, making fine detail easier to judge when checking focus. Neither screen is touch-sensitive or articulated. Both bodies offer weather sealing, Wi-Fi for wireless file transfer, live view and external flash support. Neither camera offers GPS, so location tagging needs an external unit on either body. | ||
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 | TFT LCD | TFT 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 | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 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 | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe 1D X supports two Compact Flash cards at once, so you can keep shooting when one card fills during a long assignment. The 5D Mark II's single slot also accepts Microdrive, so one card serves everything. They use different batteries, an LP-E4N in the 1D X and an LP-E6 in the 5D Mark II, so spares are not interchangeable between the two bodies. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need a dedicated charger between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | LP-E4N | LP-E6 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1 shots1505000 | 850 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 1D X for sports, wildlife and event photography. Its 14 fps burst, 61 autofocus points, dual card slots and 60 fps maximum video frame rate directly serve fast action, and its higher ISO settings open up dim indoor venues.
Choose the 5D Mark II for landscape, portrait and studio work where the pace is slower. Its 21 MP sensor provides the extra pixels for large prints and heavy cropping, and its 850 g body is the lighter choice for travel and hiking.