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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S

Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
79
Overall
73
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Key Specs

Canon 1D X II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 409600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1530g - 158 x 168 x 83mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Replaced the Canon 1D X
  • Newer Model is Canon 1D X III
Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Newer Model is Nikon D4
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S, both Pro DSLR cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the 1D X II (20MP) and D3S (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The 1D X II was released 6 years later than the D3S and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the 1D X II grades vs the D3S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X II over the Nikon D3S

 1D X II D3S 
ReleasedFebruary 2016February 2010Fresher by 73 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k921kClearer screen (+699k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Canon 1D X II

 D3S 1D X II 

Common features in the Canon 1D X II and Nikon D3S

 1D X II D3S 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon 1D X II has exterior dimensions of 158mm x 168mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 1530 grams (3.37 lbs) while the Nikon D3S has proportions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") along with a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the 1D X II compared to the D3S.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 1D X II and D3S is 50 and 51 respectively.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1D X II and D3S.

All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon 1D X II to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer 1D X II is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X II as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Portrait photography camera
82
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
64
manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon 1D X II Street photography details
Nikon D3S Street photography details
61
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
55
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X II Sports photography highlights
Nikon D3S Sports photography highlights
73
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
max fps high (16.0 frames/s)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
terrible battery (1,210 shots)
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery power (4,200 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X II as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Travel photography camera
54
weather sealing
includes touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (1,210 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
51
better than average battery power (4,200 CIPA)
environment proof
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 1D X II
Landscape photography with Nikon D3S
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
terrible battery (1,210 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
67
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery power (4,200 CIPA)
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 1D X II
Vlogging with Nikon D3S
30
screen is touchscreen
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
15
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X II and Nikon D3S
 Canon EOS-1D X Mark IINikon D3S
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Nikon D3S
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-02 2010-02-16
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 409600 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 61 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Nikon F
Number of lenses 250 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,620k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 16.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1530 gr (3.37 pounds) 1240 gr (2.73 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 All around rating 88 82
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 12.0
DXO Low light rating 3207 3253
Other
Battery life 1210 pictures 4200 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E19 EN-EL4a
Self timer Yes Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Storage slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $5,999 $5,200