Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS
56 Imaging
64 Features
70 Overall
66


64 Imaging
33 Features
53 Overall
41
Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
- Launched February 2009
- Old Model is Canon 5D
- Newer Model is Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
- Revealed March 2009

Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Overview
The following is a thorough comparison of the Canon 5D MII and Canon SX1 IS, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Canon. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the 5D MII (21MP) and SX1 IS (10MP) and the 5D MII (Full frame) and SX1 IS (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The 5D MII was revealed at a similar time to the SX1 IS which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon 5D MII being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the 5D MII scores against the SX1 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 5D Mark II & Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. The full galleries are available at Canon 5D MII Gallery & Canon SX1 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Canon SX1 IS
5D MII | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon 5D MII
SX1 IS | 5D MII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Canon SX1 IS
5D MII | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | March 2009 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon 5D MII provides physical dimensions of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Canon SX1 IS has measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs).
Look at the Canon 5D MII and Canon SX1 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the 5D MII versus the SX1 IS.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MII and SX1 IS is 56 and 64 respectively.

Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MII and SX1 IS.
Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 5D MII using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Canon 5D MII will show more detail because of its extra 11MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively.

Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Canon SX1 IS Specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-02-13 | 2009-03-27 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5616 x 3744 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8-5.7 |
Macro focus distance | - | 0cm |
Amount of lenses | 250 | - |
Crop factor | 1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.8" |
Resolution of display | 920k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 15 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/3200 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.20 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/500 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 850 gr (1.87 pounds) | 615 gr (1.36 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 79 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1815 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 850 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LP-E6 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive | SD/SDHC/MMC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $1,190 | $600 |