Canon EOS 1D X vs Nikon D610 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18.1 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 1D X
64
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D610
66
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X and the Nikon D610 are both full-frame DSLRs, and the D610 is the smaller and lighter body for travel. The 1D X arrived in 2011 and the D610 followed two years later. Each uses its maker's own lens mount, so your existing Canon EF or Nikon F glass decides one side of the choice. The 1D X measures 158 x 164 x 83 mm and weighs 1530 g, whereas the D610 comes in at 141 x 113 x 82 mm and 850 g. That 680 g difference matters for how the camera packs into a travel bag alongside a tripod and spare lenses. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 18, 2011 | October 8, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 164 x 83 mm | 141 x 113 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D610 is the stronger choice for landscape prints and heavy cropping, with 24 MP against 18.1 MP in the 1D X. Those extra megapixels give you more room to reframe a distant animal or crop a landscape while keeping detail. The 1D X answers with outright speed: 14 fps versus 6 fps, plus 61 autofocus points versus 39 for tracking erratic subjects. A shorter top shutter speed helps the Canon in bright light too, at 1/8000 second against 1/4000. Both share a full-frame sensor format and a pentaprism optical viewfinder, and neither offers in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results in dim light depend on your lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18.1 MP050 | 24 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 | 6016 x 4016 |
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. |
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 | 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. |
Dual Digic 5+ | Expeed 3 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 390300 |
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 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 1D X gives you more room to slow footage down, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the D610. Both cameras share Full HD as their maximum recording resolution, so neither offers 4K output. The D610 is the better pick for timelapse work without extra gear, thanks to its built-in intervalometer. The 1D X has no built-in timelapse function, so sequencing frames needs an external timer. | ||
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. |
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. |
MOV | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 59/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D610 carries a built-in flash, handy for fill light on a backlit portrait when no speedlight is packed. The 1D X has no built-in flash, though both cameras support external units. Both offer weather sealing for dusty or damp conditions, plus Wi-Fi transfer and live view for tripod work. Their 3.2-inch screens match in size, while the 1D X's finer 1,040,000-dot display, against the D610's 921,000, eases focus checking. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 records to Compact Flash Type I or II with UDMA support, while the D610 uses SD, SDHC and SDXC, so each body takes a different card. Both offer dual card slots for extra capacity. The D610's EN-EL15 battery is rated at 900 shots per charge. The 1D X uses an LP-E4N pack, and neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E4N | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 1D X for fast action photography. Sports, wildlife and news work benefit from 14 fps shooting, 61 autofocus points and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed. Its weather-sealed, dual-slot body suits long assignments.
Choose the Nikon D610 for landscape, travel and general photography. Its 24 MP sensor rewards big prints and heavy crops, its 850 g body packs smaller for hiking, and the built-in flash and intervalometer cover fill light and timelapse.