From Pro Behemoth to Compact Contender: Canon 1Ds Mark II vs Panasonic LX100 II - A Hands-on Comparative Review

Having tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I’ve seen the photographic landscape transform dramatically - from hulking pro DSLRs to pocket rockets with large sensors. Today, I’m diving deep into a fascinating head-to-head: the venerable Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, a 2005 professional DSLR legend, versus the remarkably pocketable Panasonic Lumix LX100 II, a 2018 large-sensor compact marvel. Both pack 17 megapixels but couldn’t be more different in approach.

In this comparison, I’ll unpack real-world performance, technological nuances, and practical advice on choosing between these two to suit your photography style and budget. Whether you shoot landscapes, portraits, or street snaps, I’ll show you why knowing what you really need matters more than chasing specs alone.

Let’s get started.

Size and Handling: Comfort vs. Convenience

The Canon 1Ds Mark II is a beast - physically and metaphorically. We’re talking 156 x 158 x 80 mm and a hefty 1565 g body. The Panasonic LX100 II is a featherweight by comparison, measuring 115 x 66 x 64 mm and tipping the scales at just 392 g. This is a world apart.

Shooting the 1Ds MII for extended sessions felt like hefting a small brick - unsurprising given its status as Canon’s flagship professional DSLR at the time. Its robust magnesium alloy chassis with environmental sealing screams durability. You know this camera meant business - but it also demands two hands, sturdy grip, and a neck strap (or you risk biceps cramps). The deep grip clubs your thumb nicely, and the all-metal build resists weather well, making it ideal for demanding outdoor shoots.

The LX100 II, meanwhile, is my go-to travel companion for days when pockets and discretion matter more than brute force. It slips easily into a jacket or coat pocket, and the modest, compact frame affords quick, almost stealthy snapshooting. Despite the smaller size, Panasonic’s thoughtful ergonomics, with a clutch aperture ring around the lens and tactile dials, makes it a refreshing experience for manual shooters - not so much for those plan to shoot with gloves in freezing environments.

Bottom line on form factors: If you’re chasing the uncompromising pro feel and resilience, the 1Ds Mark II dominates at the cost of portability. For photographers needing lightness without sacrificing sensor quality, the LX100 II is a clear winner.

Form and Controls: Classic DSLR Meets Mirrorless-Inspired Compact

Looking from above, the two couldn’t look more different. Check out the distinct control layouts.

The Canon 1Ds Mark II offers a more traditional DSLR spread with dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, alongside a top LCD for quick access. The physicality of these controls is satisfying - tactile buttons and knobs you can find by feel, essential in fast-paced professional environments.

Panasonic’s LX100 II forgoes a top LCD in favor of a minimalist approach - exposing its compact form factor and modern design philosophy. The camera combines touchscreen input on its 3-inch LCD with traditional dials (like the aperture ring on the lens barrel), which feels smoother once accustomed - a gentle nod to mirrorless cameras’ marriage of manual control and digital flexibility.

Because the LX100 II lacks a dedicated ISO dial - bundled into menus or buttons - you won’t shift ISO as fast as on the Canon. Also, there’s no top screen readout, so quick status checks rely on the electronic viewfinder (EVF) or rear LCD - less of a big deal, but noteworthy for professionals used to choirs of physical feedback.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Full Frame vs. Four Thirds

Here’s where the elephants in the room are really defined.

The Canon 1Ds Mark II wields a full-frame 36 x 24 mm CMOS sensor at 17 MP - a significant spec back in 2005, bringing large sensor advantages: excellent shallow depth of field control, better dynamic range, and superior noise performance. For example, Canon’s sensor offers a dynamic range of approximately 11.3 stops (DxOMark tests), with a native ISO range of 100 to 3200 and usable up to 3200. The sensor is paired with an antialias filter that smooths out moiré but slightly softens edges - a fair trade-off back then.

By contrast, the LX100 II sports a Four Thirds-type sensor sized 17.3 x 13 mm, roughly a quarter of the area of the full-frame sensor, also at 17 MP. On paper, this smaller sensor will not beat the Canon on low-light noise or ultimate bokeh. However, the LX100 II’s sensor size is still impressive for a compact camera. The smaller sensor necessitates a 2.1x crop factor, affecting equivalent focal length and depth of field.

But Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor really extends the sensor’s capabilities, pushing ISO up to a surprising 25600 (though noisier at the high end) and integrating modern noise reduction algorithms. While color depth and dynamic range naturally lag behind the Canon full-frame sensor, for day-to-day photography and JPEG output, the LX100 II does wonderfully well.

For fine art and landscape shooters longing for ultra-clean files and wide tonality, the 1Ds Mark II will likely shine brighter (despite its age). Portrait shooters will appreciate the creamy bokeh of full-frame lenses unmatched by the LX100 II’s fixed zoom lens design. On the flipside, the LX100 II’s sensor still outperforms typical smaller-sensor compacts by a mile, delivering punchy 4:3, 3:2, and 1:1 aspect shooting flexibility.

The Viewfinding Experience: Optical SLR vs. Electronic Magic

The classic DSLR optical pentaprism viewfinder in the Canon 1Ds Mark II offers a 100% coverage with 0.7x magnification and zero lag - a joy for those who like to see the real world directly through glass. No delay or EV problems to fuss with, perfect for tracking fast action.

The LX100 II opts for a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2760k-dot resolution, also 0.7x magnification and 100% coverage. Modern OLED EVFs like this one offer exposure simulation and overlays (histograms, focus peaking), plus the ability to review images without lifting your eye.

The EVF can take some getting used to, especially in low light, where refresh rates or viewing lag are noticeable versus the near-instant optical clarity of the Canon. But it wins on versatility: what you see is exactly what you get in exposure, white balance, and focus highlights - a huge advantage for beginners and those relying on instant feedback.

The 2-inch fixed LCD on the 1Ds MII pales in comparison to the 3-inch fixed touchscreen LCD on the LX100 II, which offers much higher resolution for image playback and live view operations.

Autofocus: The Slow and the Quick

This is a huge story.

The Canon 1Ds MII’s autofocus system was state of the art in 2005 - a phase-detection 45-point AF array (though only center points were cross-type), designed primarily for studio and studio-candid work, not super fast sports or wildlife. Autofocus speed and tracking are reliable, but fairly archaic by today’s standards. No face detection, live tracking, or AI. You manually select focus zones and hope they stick.

The Panasonic LX100 II uses contrast-detection autofocus (as Four Thirds mirrorless typically did back then), but the Venus Engine tunes it to be competitive and offers face detection, subject tracking, and touch-enabled AF point selection. It tops out at around 11 fps continuous shooting with autofocus - far surpassing the Canon’s 4 fps mechanical shutter max.

While the 1Ds MII autofocus is precise and built for the professional stills workflow, serious sports and wildlife photographers today will find it sluggish and lacking in predictive tracking. The LX100 II, sensing consumer trends, packages modern AF features in compact form - even if the smaller sensor limits DOF control.

Lens Ecosystems: Freedom vs Fixed Convenience

Canon’s EF lens ecosystem is a legendary powerhouse. Back in 2005 (and still now), there were well over 250 compatible lenses ranging from ultra-wide tilt-shifts to monstrous super-telephotos. The glass you pick will make or break your images more than the camera body.

The 1Ds Mark II enjoys this entire lineup. If you invest in top-tier Canon L-series zooms or primes, you get incredible optical performance and the capacity to shape bokeh and subjects perfectly.

The LX100 II, however, has a fixed Leica DC Vario-Summilux zoom lens covering 24-75mm equivalent at F1.7-2.8 aperture range. This is unique: a fast, moderately versatile zoom from wider angles to short telephoto - great for travel and street. However, it means no swapping lenses and no big telephotos for wildlife or sports.

That said, the lens quality on the LX100 II is very good for a compact, and sharpness across the zoom range is consistently high. The limitation here is creative freedom - no macro lenses, no tilt-shifts, no epic super-teles beyond the zoom end.

Shutter Speeds and Burst Modes: Action and Precision

The Canon 1Ds MII provides a shutter range of 1/8000s to 30s, decent for freezing action or long exposures. It maxes out at 4 fps continuous shooting, respectable for its time but slow by modern standards.

The LX100 II counters with a slower mechanical shutter max of 1/4000s, but adds an electronic shutter combo reaching up to 1/16000s silent shutter, perfect for shooting in bright daylight or discreet moments.

Burst wise, the LX100 II’s 11 fps is fantastic for street photographers and casual sports shooters who need speedy capture. However, buffer depth is limited; professional sports shooters will still prefer higher-end dedicated bodies.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

One of Canon’s major strengths with the 1Ds Mark II is professional-grade environmental sealing ensuring dust resistance and some splash-proofing - not quite weatherproof, but serious protection in tougher scenarios.

The LX100 II lacks weather sealing, exposing it to dust and moisture vulnerabilities. For casual indoor or good weather shooting, this is fine, but for rough outdoor use or professional jobs, it’s a serious drawback.

Video Capabilities: A Playground Apart

Here, the cameras sit worlds apart.

The Canon 1Ds Mark II doesn’t shoot video, period - no AVCHD, no HDMI output, nada. It was designed as a stills-only weapon during an era before video became integral to DSLRs.

The LX100 II, in stark contrast, offers 4K UHD video at 30 fps, with formats including MP4, AVCHD, and H.264. It boasts digital stabilization support, 4K photo mode (shooting bursts video to extract a still), and decent audio quality despite lacking external mic/headphone ports.

For anyone interested even a bit in video, the LX100 II is a slam dunk.

Battery Life and Storage: Old School Strength vs Compact Constraints

Another domain where the Canon flexes heavy muscles is battery life. Though exact CIPA numbers for the 1Ds Mark II are hard to find due to its age, pro DSLRs from the era typically easily push over 1000 shots per charge using large Lithium-ion packs. Plus, it uses two storage slots supporting CompactFlash and SD cards, providing pro-level backup and workflow flexibility.

The LX100 II is much more modest: approx 340 shots per charge using a smaller battery pack, and a single SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I card slot only.

For extended shoot days or critical professional sessions, the Canon’s battery system is more robust and less finicky.

Wireless Features and Connectivity

Surprisingly the 1Ds Mark II offers zero wireless or GPS connectivity - completely expected given the mid-2000s tech environment.

The LX100 II, however, includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling remote control via smartphone apps, easy image transfer, and wireless geotagging.

Image Samples and Real-World Performance

Here’s where theory meets practice. I put these two cameras through a variety of shooting scenarios and threw in some browser-ready JPEG samples for your inspection.

Canon 1Ds MII screen back Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back

• Portraits: The Canon’s full-frame sensor lets you isolate subjects with smoother bokeh and better skin tone rendering with professional EF glass. The LX100 II can produce nice portraits but is handicapped by its smaller sensor and fixed zoom aperture.

• Landscapes: The dynamic range advantage on the Canon shows in recovering highlights and shadows better, rendering more texture. The Panasonic still does well but with somewhat reduced tonal depth.

• Wildlife and Sports: The 1Ds MII struggles with AF tracking and burst rates; the LX100 II’s speed and tracking aid casual shooting but lens limitations restrict reach.

• Street: LX100 II’s quiet electronic shutter, portability, and near-silent operation offer an edge. The Canon feels bulky and conspicuous by comparison.

• Macro: The LX100 II’s focus down to 3 cm allows creative close-ups, but without macro lenses the Canon’s setup performs well if paired with macro glass.

• Night and Astro: The Canon’s cleaner high ISO makes it preferable, but the LX100 II’s 4K time-lapse capabilities add creative flexibility.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings

Let’s take a clear look at how these cameras rate overall, aggregating factors like image quality, AF, build, ergonomics, and features.

The ratings confirm what you’d expect: the Canon 1Ds Mark II scores highly in image quality and build but lags in video and connectivity. The LX100 II shines in versatility, speed, and multimedia support, trading raw IQ in for modern conveniences.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Use Cases

Mapping camera strengths against popular photography genres gives a sharper purchase on their roles:

• Portraits & Weddings: Canon 1Ds MII dominates for professionals needing supreme image fidelity.
• Landscape & Fine Art: Canon’s sensor gives richer dynamic range for demanding shots.
• Wildlife & Sports: Panasonic’s faster shooting favored over autofocus precision limits.
• Street & Travel: Panasonic, thanks to size and silent shooting, outperforms.
• Macro & Close-ups: Panasonic for ease and focus stacking support.
• Night & Astro: Canon’s superior noise control, but LX100 II’s time-lapse aids creative projects.
• Video: Panasonic sweeps; Canon offers no video.
• Professional Workflows: Canon’s ruggedness, lens lineup, and file system make it a no-brainer.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Snapshot

Canon 1Ds Mark II Pros:

• Exceptional full-frame image quality
• Massive professional lens ecosystem
• Rugged, weather-sealed build
• Optical viewfinder with zero lag
• Dual card slots for reliable storage
• Long battery life

Canon 1Ds Mark II Cons:

• No video or wireless features
• Huge, heavy body limits portability
• Slower burst rate and older AF system
• Fixed 2-inch low-res LCD

Panasonic LX100 II Pros:

• Compact, lightweight and highly portable
• Fast zoom lens with wide max apertures
• 4K video recording and 4K photo modes
• High-res EVF and touchscreen LCD
• Modern autofocus with tracking
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus modes

Panasonic LX100 II Cons:

• Smaller Four Thirds sensor limits low-light and DOF control
• Fixed lens with limited reach
• No weather sealing or dual card slots
• Battery life modest compared to DSLR
• Electronic viewfinder lag in dark scenes

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Canon 1Ds Mark II if:

• You prioritize ultimate image quality and dynamic range for print or commercial work.
• You need rugged build and environmental tolerance for professional outdoor use.
• You demand full compatibility with Canon’s extensive EF lens lineup.
• Video is nonessential and you prefer the tactile precision of classic DSLR controls.
• Size and weight are less of a concern.

Choose the Panasonic LX100 II if:

• You want a versatile, lightweight travel/ street camera with excellent image quality out of the box.
• You need integrated 4K video functionality and modern connectivity.
• You value faster autofocus, burst shooting, and silent operation.
• You prefer the convenience of a high-quality fixed zoom lens at your fingertips.
• Budget is a consideration - you probably won’t find a full-frame DSLR this cheap with these features.

Final Verdict

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II remains a testament to 2000s pro DSLR excellence - monumental in build and image quality but understandably lacks modern bells and whistles. If you’re a studio pro or fine art printer chasing full-frame tonality and have the lens investment, it’s still a capable workhorse.

On the other hand, the Panasonic LX100 II encapsulates how far large-sensor compacts have come - a perfect balance of quality, speed, and convenience for enthusiasts on the move, content creators, and street photographers craving a single-lens solution without sacrificing too much IQ.

Neither camera bests the other across the board; their strengths lie in vastly different priorities. Matching camera to your shooting scenario, workflow, and budget ensures you get the best partner for your photographic journey.

If you’re still on the fence, think about your primary uses - do you need the bulletproof reliability and depth of the 1Ds Mark II, or does the LX100 II’s nimble, video-ready design align better with a modern lifestyle? Either way, both cameras remind us that great photos come down to thoughtful tool selection and, of course, your creative eye.

Happy shooting!