Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII
50 Imaging
51 Features
34 Overall
44


55 Imaging
67 Features
74 Overall
69
Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 11MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1250
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF Mount
- 1585g - 156 x 158 x 80mm
- Launched December 2002
- New Model is Canon 1Ds MII
(Full Review)
- 22MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
- Released May 2012
- Previous Model is Canon 5D MII
- Replacement is Canon 5D MIV

Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Canon 1Ds and Canon 5D MIII, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Canon. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the 1Ds (11MP) and 5D MIII (22MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

The 1Ds was announced 10 years prior to the 5D MIII which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon 1Ds being a Large SLR camera and the Canon 5D MIII being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the 1Ds matches up against the 5D MIII when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS-1Ds and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. The whole galleries are provided at Canon 1Ds Gallery and Canon 5D MIII Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 1Ds over the Canon 5D MIII
1Ds | 5D MIII |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Canon 1Ds
5D MIII | 1Ds | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | December 2002 | Newer by 114 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 2" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 120k | Crisper screen (+920k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 1Ds and Canon 5D MIII
1Ds | 5D MIII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon 1Ds comes with physical dimensions of 156mm x 158mm x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") having a weight of 1585 grams (3.49 lbs) whilst the Canon 5D MIII has sizing of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).
Compare the Canon 1Ds and Canon 5D MIII in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the 1Ds vs the 5D MIII.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the 1Ds and 5D MIII is 50 and 55 respectively.

Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specifications. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1Ds and 5D MIII.
To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon 5D MIII to result in more detail with its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged 1Ds will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1Ds vs Canon 5D MIII Specifications
Canon EOS-1Ds | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS-1Ds | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Class | Pro DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2002-12-17 | 2012-05-22 |
Body design | Large SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Digic 5+ |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 35.8 x 23.8mm | 36 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 852.0mm² | 864.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 11 megapixel | 22 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4064 x 2704 | 5760 x 3840 |
Maximum native ISO | 1250 | 25600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 45 | 61 |
Cross focus points | - | 41 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF | Canon EF |
Amount of lenses | 250 | 250 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2 inch | 3.2 inch |
Display resolution | 120 thousand dot | 1,040 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | - | Clear View II TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | External | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1585 grams (3.49 lb) | 950 grams (2.09 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 156 x 158 x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") | 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 63 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 24.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 11.7 |
DXO Low light score | 954 | 2293 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 950 shots |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LP-E6 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Retail cost | $9,000 | $2,780 |