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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S

Portability
50
Imaging
65
Features
73
Overall
68
Canon EOS-1D X front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Key Specs

Canon 1D X
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump 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
  • Updated by Canon 1D X II
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
  • Announced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Refreshed by Nikon D4
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the 1D X (18MP) and D3S (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The 1D X was manufactured 21 months later than the D3S which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the 1D X scores against the D3S when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X over the Nikon D3S

 1D X D3S 
AnnouncedOctober 2011February 2010Fresher by 21 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Canon 1D X

 D3S 1D X 

Common features in the Canon 1D X and Nikon D3S

 1D X D3S 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 1D X comes with outside measurements of 158mm x 164mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") and a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Nikon D3S has dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

See the Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the 1D X and the D3S.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 1D X and D3S is 50 and 51 respectively.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1D X and D3S.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon 1D X to offer you more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The newer 1D X provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
64
focusing manually
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X Street photography advice
Nikon D3S Street photography advice
59
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
55
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X Sports photography highlights
Nikon D3S Sports photography highlights
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (1,120 shots)
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (4,200 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Travel photography camera
49
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery power (1,120 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
good battery life (4,200 per charge)
weather proof
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D X Landscape photography info
Nikon D3S Landscape photography info
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (1,120 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
67
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good battery life (4,200 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X Vlogging advice
Nikon D3S Vlogging advice
28
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
15
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X and Nikon D3S
 Canon EOS-1D XNikon D3S
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS-1D X Nikon D3S
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2011-10-18 2010-02-16
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 dimensions 36 x 24mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3456 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 61 51
Cross focus points 41 15
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Nikon F
Number of lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 14.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340 gr (2.95 lbs) 1240 gr (2.73 lbs)
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 score 82 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.0
DXO Low light score 2786 3253
Other
Battery life 1120 pictures 4200 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E4N EN-EL4a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA compatible Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Card slots Dual Dual
Cost at release $5,299 $5,200