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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850

Portability
50
Imaging
63
Features
73
Overall
67
Canon EOS-1D X front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
76
Features
87
Overall
80

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Key Specs

Canon 1D X
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1340g - 158 x 164 x 83mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon 1Ds MIII
  • Refreshed by Canon 1D X II
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Released August 2017
  • Succeeded the Nikon D810
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon 1D X and Nikon D850, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the 1D X (18MP) and D850 (46MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The 1D X was brought out 6 years earlier than the D850 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon 1D X being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon D850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the 1D X scores vs the D850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X over the Nikon D850

 1D X D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Canon 1D X

 D850 1D X 
ReleasedAugust 2017October 2011Newer by 71 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1040kCrisper screen (+1319k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 1D X and Nikon D850

 1D X D850 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon 1D X comes with exterior measurements of 158mm x 164mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Nikon D850 has specifications of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Examine the Canon 1D X and Nikon D850 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the 1D X against the D850.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the 1D X and D850 is 50 and 54 respectively.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The picture below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 1D X and D850.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon D850 to produce more detail having its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged 1D X will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 1D X
Portrait photography with Nikon D850
77
focusing manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
great resolution (46 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X Street photography info
Nikon D850 Street photography info
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
66
screen tilts
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (1,015 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X Sports photography info
Nikon D850 Sports photography info
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (1,120 shots)
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
great resolution (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery life (1,840 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X Travel photography factors
Nikon D850 Travel photography factors
48
weather proof
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (1,120 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
65
great battery life (1,840 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
great resolution (46MP)
heavier than average (1,015 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D X Landscape photography details
Nikon D850 Landscape photography details
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (1,120 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
great resolution (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
great battery life (1,840 per charge)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D850 as a Vlogging camera
28
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
29
has touchscreen
provides face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (1,015 grams)
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Canon 1D X vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X and Nikon D850
 Canon EOS-1D XNikon D850
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Nikon D850
Class Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-10-18 2017-08-24
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual Digic 5+ Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 46MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3456 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 61 153
Cross type focus points 41 99
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Nikon F
Amount of lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.75x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 14.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps, 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340 gr (2.95 lb) 1015 gr (2.24 lb)
Dimensions 158 x 164 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 100
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 26.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 14.8
DXO Low light rating 2786 2660
Other
Battery life 1120 pictures 1840 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E4N EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA compatible SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at release $5,299 $2,997