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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3

Portability
50
Imaging
65
Features
73
Overall
68
Canon EOS-1D X front
 
Nikon D3 front
Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Key Specs

Canon 1D X
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1340g - 158 x 164 x 83mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Superseded the Canon 1Ds MIII
  • Refreshed by Canon 1D X II
Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released April 2008
  • Later Model is Nikon D3S
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon 1D X versus Nikon D3, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the 1D X (18MP) and D3 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 1D X was released 3 years after the D3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1D X matches up versus the D3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X over the Nikon D3

 1D X D3 
ReleasedOctober 2011April 2008Newer by 43 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kClearer screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Canon 1D X

 D3 1D X 

Common features in the Canon 1D X and Nikon D3

 1D X D3 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon 1D X comes with physical measurements of 158mm x 164mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) and the Nikon D3 has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs).

Check out the Canon 1D X versus Nikon D3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1D X compared to the D3.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 1D X and D3 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1D X and D3.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon 1D X to give more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger 1D X is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X Portrait photography information
Nikon D3 Portrait photography information
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
63
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Street photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Street photography camera
59
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
54
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X Sports photography information
Nikon D3 Sports photography information
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (1,120 CIPA)
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (4,300 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X Travel photography information
Nikon D3 Travel photography information
49
environment proof
MP count good (18MP)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery life (1,120 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
51
great battery life (4,300 shots)
environment proofing
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 1D X
Landscape photography with Nikon D3
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
MP count good (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (1,120 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery life (4,300 CIPA)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D3 as a Vlogging camera
28
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X and Nikon D3
 Canon EOS-1D XNikon D3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Nikon D3
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2011-10-18 2008-04-18
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual Digic 5+ Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3456 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 61 51
Cross type focus points 41 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
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Clear View II TFT LCD -
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 14.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340g (2.95 pounds) 1300g (2.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 158 x 164 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 81
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2786 2290
Other
Battery life 1120 photos 4300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E4N -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA compatible Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2
Card slots 2 2
Retail price $5,299 $5,450