Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18.1 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 1D X
64
SCORE
|
Canon · DSLR · 22.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
65
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III are full-frame digital SLRs for the Canon EF mount, released in 2011 and 2012. The 1D X is the far larger camera at 158 x 164 x 83 mm and 1530 g, against 152 x 116 x 76 mm and 950 g for the 5D Mark III. For a full day of handheld shooting, the 5D Mark III puts 580 g less in the bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 18, 2011 | March 2, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 164 x 83 mm | 152 x 116 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 950 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS 5D Mark III is the better choice when detail matters: its 22.3 megapixel sensor gives 4.2 megapixels more than the 18.1 megapixel EOS 1D X, leaving more room to crop a distant subject or print big. For fast action the 1D X is clearly stronger, shooting 14 frames per second against 6, so a striker's shot or a bird's take-off is caught across more frames. The 1D X also reaches a higher native ISO ceiling of 51200, extendable to 204800, against 25600 and 102400 on the 5D Mark III. The autofocus point count matches at 61 on both, as does the 1/8000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18.1 MP050 | 22.3 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 | 5760 x 3840 |
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 | 6 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 5+ |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 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. |
610300 | 610300 |
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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoEither body covers interview clips, event footage and handheld video, because both support video recording. Full HD is the maximum resolution on both, 60 frames per second is the top frame rate, and both write MOV files. Neither offers 4K or a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 | 60 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 | 59/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon EOS 1D X has built-in Wi-Fi, so images can leave the camera without a cable or card reader, while the 5D Mark III has no wireless option. The other named specifications match. Both carry weather sealing, both support external flash units, and both use a fixed, non-touch 3.2-inch TFT LCD with 1,040,000 dots. Neither has 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 | 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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 | 79/100 | 76/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry two card slots, so a long shoot can span plenty of media without pausing. The formats differ: the 5D Mark III accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards alongside CompactFlash, while the 1D X uses CompactFlash Type I or II with UDMA only. SD support makes the 5D Mark III easier to fit into a current workflow. Batteries differ too, with the 1D X powered by an LP-E4N pack and the 5D Mark III by an LP-E6, and neither supports charging over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash, UDMA |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 950 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Canon EOS 1D X if your photography is about speed. Its 14 frames per second, 51200 ISO native ceiling and built-in Wi-Fi suit sports, wildlife and news work. Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for weddings, portraits, landscapes and travel, where its 22.3 megapixels give more cropping room and its SD card slot simplifies storage.