Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 6D — Which Is Better?

The Canon EOS 1D X is built for fast action, while the Canon EOS 6D suits travel and everyday full-frame photography. Announced in October 2011, the 1D X is a large DSLR measuring 158 x 164 x 83 mm and weighing 1530 g. The 6D, announced a year later, is far smaller and lighter at 145 x 111 x 71 mm and 770 g, roughly half the weight.

The 1D X is the clear choice for photographing moving subjects. It offers 61 autofocus points against 11 on the 6D, 14 fps continuous shooting against 4.5 fps, and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed against 1/4000. Its standard ISO range reaches 51200, double the 6D's 25600 ceiling, which helps keep shutter speeds usable in dim arenas and evening light.

The 6D answers with more resolution: 20.2 megapixels against 18.1, so its files allow more cropping of a distant animal or larger prints before pixels run out. Sensor format and type match at full-frame CMOS, and both share the Canon EF mount. Each has an optical pentaprism viewfinder and no in-body stabilisation, so lens choice determines stabilisation on either body.

The 1D X is the better pick when you want slow motion, recording at up to 60 fps against 30 fps on the 6D. Dropping its faster footage into a 30 fps timeline gives half-speed playback. Maximum resolution is a shared limit at Full HD, so neither body offers 4K, and both record in the MOV file format.

The 6D is the only one of the pair with built-in GPS, so it can tag photos with their shooting location for travel archives and wildlife logs. Some core specs match: both offer weather sealing, Wi-Fi, live view, a 1,040,000-dot TFT LCD and support for external flash. The 1D X screen has slightly more room at 3.2 inches against 3, and neither camera has a touchscreen or a flip-out screen.

Card choice differs sharply. The 1D X takes CompactFlash Type I or II cards in dual slots, useful for separating stills and video or continuing when one card fills. The 6D takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card. The two also use different batteries, an LP-E4N in the 1D X and an LP-E6 in the 6D, and neither charges over USB.