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Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3

Portability
50
Imaging
47
Features
38
Overall
43
Canon EOS-1D Mark II front
 
Nikon D3 front
Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Key Specs

Canon 1D MII
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1565g - 156 x 158 x 80mm
  • Introduced June 2004
  • Older Model is Canon 1D
  • Replacement is Canon 1D MII N
Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Introduced April 2008
  • New Model is Nikon D3S
Photography Glossary

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the 1D MII (8MP) and D3 (12MP) and the 1D MII (APS-H) and D3 (Full frame) feature different sensor measurements.

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The 1D MII was announced 4 years prior to the D3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the 1D MII matches up against the D3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D MII over the Nikon D3

 1D MII D3 

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Canon 1D MII

 D3 1D MII 
IntroducedApril 2008June 2004More modern by 46 months
Screen sizing3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1D MII and Nikon D3

 1D MII D3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon 1D MII comes with outer dimensions of 156mm x 158mm x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") with a weight of 1565 grams (3.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon D3 has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs).

Look at the Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the 1D MII against the D3.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1D MII and D3 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The pic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1D MII and D3.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1D MII with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Nikon D3 will resolve greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged 1D MII is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D MII as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Portrait photography camera
52
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (8MP)
63
has manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D MII as a Street photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Street photography camera
45
good sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (1,565g)
54
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D MII Sports photography advice
Nikon D3 Sports photography advice
48
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-H)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (4,300 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D MII as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Travel photography camera
29
more heavy than others in class (1,565 grams)
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
good battery power (4,300 CIPA)
environment proofing
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D MII Landscape photography information
Nikon D3 Landscape photography information
48
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
good sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW files
small screen (2")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery power (4,300 shots)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D MII Vlogging highlights
Nikon D3 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D MII and Nikon D3
 Canon EOS-1D Mark IINikon D3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS-1D Mark II Nikon D3
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2004-06-14 2008-04-18
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor dimensions 28.7 x 19.1mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 548.2mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 3504 x 2336 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 45 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Nikon F
Amount of lenses 250 309
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options External Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1565 gr (3.45 lbs) 1300 gr (2.87 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 158 x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 81
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1003 2290
Other
Battery life - 4300 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), SD card Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2
Card slots One Dual
Retail cost $6,500 $5,450