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Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII

Portability
50
Imaging
65
Features
73
Overall
68
Canon EOS-1D X front
 
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III front
Portability
51
Imaging
65
Features
52
Overall
59

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Key Specs

Canon 1D X
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1340g - 158 x 164 x 83mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon 1Ds MIII
  • Replacement is Canon 1D X II
Canon 1Ds MIII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1385g - 150 x 160 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Earlier Model is Canon 1Ds MII
  • New Model is Canon 1D X
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Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon 1D X and Canon 1Ds MIII, both Pro DSLR cameras and both are designed by Canon. The resolution of the 1D X (18MP) and the 1Ds MIII (21MP) is relatively close and they feature the exact same sensor size (Full frame).

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The 1D X was announced 3 years later than the 1Ds MIII and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 1D X grades against the 1Ds MIII for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X over the Canon 1Ds MIII

 1D X 1Ds MIII 
IntroducedOctober 2011August 2008More recent by 39 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon 1Ds MIII over the Canon 1D X

 1Ds MIII 1D X 

Common features in the Canon 1D X and Canon 1Ds MIII

 1D X 1Ds MIII 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon 1D X has got exterior dimensions of 158mm x 164mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Canon 1Ds MIII has specifications of 150mm x 160mm x 80mm (5.9" x 6.3" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 1385 grams (3.05 lbs).

Look at the Canon 1D X and Canon 1Ds MIII in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the 1D X versus the 1Ds MIII.

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 1D X and 1Ds MIII is 50 and 51 respectively.

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 1D X and 1Ds MIII.

As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Canon 1Ds MIII to result in extra detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern 1D X provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 1D X
Portrait photography with Canon 1Ds MIII
79
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Street photography camera
Canon 1Ds MIII as a Street photography camera
59
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X Sports photography features
Canon 1Ds MIII Sports photography features
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (1,120 CIPA)
63
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery (1,800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Travel photography camera
Canon 1Ds MIII as a Travel photography camera
49
weather sealing
MP count good (18MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (1,120 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
weather sealing
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
bad battery (1,800 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 1D X
Landscape photography with Canon 1Ds MIII
68
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
MP count good (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (1,120 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
bad battery (1,800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 1D X
Vlogging with Canon 1Ds MIII
28
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Canon 1D X vs Canon 1Ds MIII Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X and Canon 1Ds MIII
 Canon EOS-1D XCanon EOS-1Ds Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon EOS-1D X Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2011-10-18 2008-08-18
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual Digic 5+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3456 5616 x 3744
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 61 45
Cross focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Canon EF
Amount of lenses 250 250
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.76x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 14.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual External
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps, 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340g (2.95 pounds) 1385g (3.05 pounds)
Dimensions 158 x 164 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") 150 x 160 x 80mm (5.9" x 6.3" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 80
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.0
DXO Low light score 2786 1663
Other
Battery life 1120 photos 1800 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E4N -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA compatible Compact Flash (Type I or II), SD card
Storage slots 2 2
Launch price $5,299 $6,652