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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3

Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
79
Overall
73
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II front
 
Nikon D3 front
Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Key Specs

Canon 1D X II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 409600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1530g - 158 x 168 x 83mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Previous Model is Canon 1D X
  • Newer Model is Canon 1D X III
Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Revealed April 2008
  • Updated by Nikon D3S
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the 1D X II (20MP) and D3 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The 1D X II was revealed 7 years after the D3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the 1D X II matches up vs the D3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X II over the Nikon D3

 1D X II D3 
RevealedFebruary 2016April 2008More modern by 95 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k922kClearer screen (+698k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Canon 1D X II

 D3 1D X II 

Common features in the Canon 1D X II and Nikon D3

 1D X II D3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Canon 1D X II has got outside measurements of 158mm x 168mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 1530 grams (3.37 lbs) and the Nikon D3 has proportions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs).

Compare the Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the 1D X II versus the D3.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1D X II and D3 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1D X II and D3.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon 1D X II to give greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer 1D X II will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X II Portrait photography features
Nikon D3 Portrait photography features
82
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
63
you can focus manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X II Street photography advice
Nikon D3 Street photography advice
61
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
54
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X II as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Sports photography camera
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
fast shooting (16.0 fps)
good MP (20MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (1,210 CIPA)
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (4,300 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X II as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Travel photography camera
54
environment proofing
boasts touch focus
good MP (20MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (1,210 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
51
better than average battery life (4,300 CIPA)
weather sealing
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D X II Landscape photography details
Nikon D3 Landscape photography details
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good MP (20 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (1,210 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
67
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery life (4,300 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X II Vlogging highlights
Nikon D3 Vlogging highlights
30
touchscreen functionality
includes face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic port
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X II and Nikon D3
 Canon EOS-1D X Mark IINikon D3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Nikon D3
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-02 2008-04-18
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual DIGIC 6+ Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 409600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 61 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Nikon F
Total lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 16.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (60p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 50p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p) -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1530 grams (3.37 pounds) 1300 grams (2.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 158 x 168 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 88 81
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.5 12.2
DXO Low light score 3207 2290
Other
Battery life 1210 photos 4300 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2
Card slots 2 2
Price at release $5,999 $5,450