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Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S

Portability
50
Imaging
47
Features
38
Overall
43
Canon EOS-1D Mark II front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Key Specs

Canon 1D MII
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1565g - 156 x 158 x 80mm
  • Revealed June 2004
  • Replaced the Canon 1D
  • Renewed by Canon 1D MII N
Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Older Model is Nikon D3
  • Updated by Nikon D4
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Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Canon 1D MII versus Nikon D3S, both Pro DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the 1D MII (8MP) and D3S (12MP) and the 1D MII (APS-H) and D3S (Full frame) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The 1D MII was introduced 6 years earlier than the D3S and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the 1D MII matches up against the D3S with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D MII over the Nikon D3S

 1D MII D3S 

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Canon 1D MII

 D3S 1D MII 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010June 2004Fresher by 69 months
Screen size3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1D MII and Nikon D3S

 1D MII D3S 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon 1D MII comes with external measurements of 156mm x 158mm x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") and a weight of 1565 grams (3.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon D3S has measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") having a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 1D MII versus Nikon D3S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the 1D MII compared to the D3S.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 1D MII and D3S is 50 and 51 respectively.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1D MII and D3S.

As you can tell, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1D MII having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Nikon D3S will provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older 1D MII will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D MII Portrait photography advice
Nikon D3S Portrait photography advice
52
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (8MP)
64
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D MII Street photography information
Nikon D3S Street photography information
45
decent sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,565g)
55
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D MII Sports photography information
Nikon D3S Sports photography information
48
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (4,200 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D MII Travel photography advice
Nikon D3S Travel photography advice
29
heavier than average in class (1,565g)
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
great battery life (4,200 shots)
weather proofing
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D MII Landscape photography information
Nikon D3S Landscape photography information
48
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
great battery life (4,200 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D MII Vlogging information
Nikon D3S Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
15
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon 1D MII vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D MII and Nikon D3S
 Canon EOS-1D Mark IINikon D3S
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS-1D Mark II Nikon D3S
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Revealed 2004-06-14 2010-02-16
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor dimensions 28.7 x 19.1mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 548.2mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3504 x 2336 4256 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 45 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Nikon F
Available lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1.3 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options External Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1565 grams (3.45 pounds) 1240 grams (2.73 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall score 66 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 12.0
DXO Low light score 1003 3253
Other
Battery life - 4200 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL4a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), SD card Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Card slots 1 2
Cost at release $6,500 $5,200