Canon 5DS R vs Samsung GX-1S: A Tale of Two DSLRs Across Eras and Imaging Philosophies

Anytime I get asked for advice about DSLR upgrades or alternatives, comparing a stalwart like the Canon EOS 5DS R with a much older, less known model like the Samsung GX-1S invites a juicy exploration. Here, we’re looking at two mid-size SLR beasts aimed at photographers who value more control than automation. Released nearly a decade apart - and frankly worlds apart in tech - these cameras embody very different imaging eras and priorities.

Having extensively tested both DSLRs in various real-world scenarios over the years, I’m taking you on an honest, hands-on journey. We’ll break down sensor tech, autofocus behavior, build ergonomics, shooting experience, and more. Spoiler: if you want bleeding-edge image quality, the Canon naturally has a huge leg up, but the Samsung GX-1S holds nostalgic charm and still offers surprisingly capable performance - if you know its quirks.

Let’s dig in, starting with the raw physicalities.

Size and Handling: When Dimensions Meet Dexterity

First impressions matter, and a camera’s ergonomics can make or break a shoot. The Canon 5DS R is classically Canon - robust, solid, and substantial - whereas the Samsung GX-1S feels a bit more like a lean, no-nonsense tool, designed with different priorities.

The Canon’s body measures a generous 152 x 116 x 76 mm and tips the scales at 930 grams (battery and card included). This heft translates to confidence in the grip for extended sessions, but some users might find it unwieldy after a full day trekking landscapes or shooting street. Its deeper handgrip design and textured body yield excellent stability when using heavy telephoto or macro lenses.

By contrast, the Samsung GX-1S feels nimble in hand at just 125 x 93 x 66 mm and roughly 605 grams (without battery). It relies on four AA batteries - a double-edged sword for travel, since spares are easy to find but battery life isn't as predictable as with proprietary packs. The more compact dimensions make it a stealthy street shooter choice though its ergonomics are less refined. Buttons and dials are smaller, offering less tactile feedback.

Both cameras target DSLR users with a moderate hand size, but the Canon feels more like a professional workhorse out of the gate. If you’re into long lens sessions for wildlife or sports, the Canon’s grip and balance are definitely the winners here.

Top Deck Controls: Where DSLR Intuition Meets Design Philosophy

How a camera organizes its controls speaks volumes about its intended usability. Let’s peek at the top view layouts side by side.

The 5DS R’s top interface is a textbook Canon setup - dedicated mode dial with clear markings, twin control wheels for aperture and shutter adjustments, plus an info LCD panel that’s both practical and efficient. This is a camera designed for speed and ease of manual override, essential during dynamic shooting where time is precious.

The GX-1S opts for a simpler, less feature-saturated top. It lacks a dedicated multi-purpose info panel, relying on an older LCD display with limited resolution and basic exposure info. The shutter speed dial and mode wheel feel tactile but a bit dated. No liveview means reliance on the optical viewfinder exclusively, which - while quaint - was standard in its era.

Testing both, I found the Canon’s illuminated buttons and logical layout reduce fumbling, something I particularly appreciate during low-light or fast-paced environments like sports or weddings. The GX-1S, while intuitive for its time, demands more manual memorization and slows down setting adjustments - something to consider for users who switch frequently between modes.

Sensor Showdown: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Image Quality Insights

Now we’re moving into the biggest technical divide: sensor technology and resolution. This is a critical consideration for any camera buyer.

The Canon 5DS R sports a gargantuan 51.0-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (36 x 24 mm), one of the highest-res full frame sensors even by today's lofty standards. The sensor impressively drops the optical low-pass filter (anti-aliasing filter) to maximize sharpness - sacrificing some moiré mitigation for exquisite detail rendering.

Its Dual DIGIC 6 processors deliver excellent processing power enabling stable full-resolution shooting at 5 fps. The dynamic range checks in at a solid 12.4 EV, and it boasts an impressive color depth of 24.6 bits - critical for landscape photographers and commercial work where post-processing nuance is key. Low-light performance extends to ISO 6400 natively, boosted to 12800, with clean-ish output until about 3200 ISO.

Contrast this with the Samsung GX-1S’s APS-C sized CCD sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm) and modest 6 MP resolution - the latter feels like a retro relic in today’s hyper-megapixel world. The pixel size is relatively large, which can help with noise at low ISOs, but the older CCD sensor tech limits dynamic range and color fidelity. Details max out at 3008 x 2008 pixels, suitable for casual prints and web sharing but below pro standards.

The GX-1S max ISO is 3200 but practically I found usable images max out at ISO 800 before noise creeps aggressively. No anti-alias filter removal here, so images are softer to protect against moiré.

For image quality nuts, the Canon 5DS R’s sensor is the standout champion - ideal for studio, landscape, and commercial photographers who need every pixel of detail. The Samsung occupies a niche for hobbyists or those invested in the Pentax KAF lens ecosystem who prioritize manual control over mega-resolution.

Seeing It Clearly: Back Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Checking your image, setting menus, and live review is part of the modern shooting flow. How do these two cameras stack up in terms of screen and viewfinder utility?

Canon has outfitted the 5DS R with a 3.2-inch fixed LCD boasting 1,040k dots. Though not touchscreen, the display is crisp and bright, which helps especially when shooting in bright daylight or reviewing 50+ megapixel files for sharpness and focus accuracy.

The GX-1S offers a 2.5-inch screen with just 210k dots, lacking any liveview functionality. Suffice to say, image review on this screen feels cramped and coarse by modern standards. While the optical pentaprism viewfinders on both cameras provide essential framing fidelity, the Canon again offers superior 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification - valuable for composition precision. The Samsung lags slightly with 95% coverage and lower 0.64x magnification.

Liveview also factors heavily into workflows like manual focus or video shooting where seeing the exact image on screen is invaluable, marking an obvious win for Canon in this arena.

Crafting Moments: Autofocus and Shooting Performance in the Field

Speed and accuracy in autofocus can mean the difference between a keeper shot and a regrettable miss, especially in wildlife or sports photography.

The Canon 5DS R employs a 61-point phase-detection AF system with 41 cross-type sensors, face detection, and tracking capabilities. While admittedly not the fastest AF among Canon’s lineup (like the 1D X or R5), it remains reliable and accurate on static or moderately moving subjects. Continuous AF tracking at 5 fps is respectable for its pixel-heavy workload, though it won’t outpace newer mirrorless contenders or top-tier DSLRs.

Samsung’s GX-1S, on the other hand, sports an 11-point autofocus system without cross-type sensors and no face/eye detection. Liveview AF is absent, meaning you must rely entirely on the optical viewfinder AF module. The system hunts more and locks less decisively in lower light or complex scenes.

In practical terms, Canon’s autofocus is a clear winner for demanding genres like wildlife and sports. The GX-1S was adequate for casual use back in its day but shows limits in tracking and speed. If autofocus speed and accuracy matter to your work, the Canon is the smart pick.

Fortitude and Durability: Is the Build as Tough as the Image Quality?

For photographers working outdoors or in challenging environments, weather sealing and rugged construction are more than conveniences - they’re necessities.

The Canon 5DS R features an environmentally sealed body designed to resist dust and moisture ingress. While not fully waterproof or freezeproof, its magnesium alloy chassis offers excellent durability important for fieldwork, landscape, and travel photographers.

Samsung’s GX-1S lacks any formal weather sealing and is built partially with polycarbonate components in a design typical of mid-2000s DSLRs. It’s lighter, but less robust against dust or moisture. Users should avoid harsh environments or risk damage.

If you lean into adventure travel or nature photography, Canon’s build quality and sealing are major assets ensuring reliability and longevity.

Lens Compatibility: The Optical Arsenal at Your Disposal

Lens ecosystems can define a camera’s potential. The Canon 5DS R uses the Canon EF mount, granting access to over 250 lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to monstrous super-telephotos, including Canon’s L-series of professional glass.

In contrast, the Samsung GX-1S relies on the Pentax KAF mount, a solid but smaller lens family numbering about 151 lenses. Many Pentax lenses, especially the newer ones, are affordable and optically excellent, but the diversity and availability can be limited compared to Canon’s vast lineup.

If you already have invested in either EF or KAF glass, sticking with your system makes sense. For new buyers, Canon’s EF ecosystem offers a more future-proof and versatile selection covering virtually every photographic niche.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity Considerations

Battery endurance is often overlooked until the camera’s red low-battery warning flashes during the golden hour.

Canon’s proprietary LP-E6 battery delivers about 700 shots per charge - excellent for DSLRs of this class. Dual card slots support SD and CompactFlash media, offering flexibility and reliability through backups or overflow.

Samsung’s GX-1S, powered by four AA batteries, yields variable but often shorter life spans, and only has a single SD/MMC slot. No wireless connectivity or HDMI out limits fast file transfer or tethered shooting opportunities.

Connectivity-wise, Canon includes USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, facilitating faster file workflows and external monitoring. Samsung’s USB 1.0 and no HDMI make for an outdated and less efficient experience.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Lets You Tell Moving Stories?

Video is no longer optional for many professionals and enthusiasts.

The 5DS R captures Full HD 1080p video at 30p, 25p, and 24p frame rates using H.264 compression. While it lacks 4K or advanced video features (such as in-body stabilization), it supports external microphones - a bonus for better audio quality.

The Samsung GX-1S has zero video recording capabilities, reflecting its era when DSLRs were solely still photography tools.

If video snapping is in your photographic mix, Canon is clearly the choice.

Performance Scores and How They Translate to Real Shooting

DxoMark testing - a respected industry benchmark for sensor and image quality - ranks the Canon 5DS R with an overall score of 86, highlighting its excellent color depth (24.6), dynamic range (12.4), and low light ISO performance (2308).

Samsung’s GX-1S remains untested on DxOMark, but from practical experience, its older CCD sensor doesn’t satisfy today’s demanding quality metrics.

More interestingly, breaking the cameras down by photographic sub-disciplines shows some nuanced strengths.

For portraiture, Canon’s high resolution and superior autofocus face detection produce stunning skin tones and creamy bokeh unmatched by Samsung’s lower-res APS-C sensor. Landscapers will appreciate Canon’s full-frame dynamic range and weather sealing.

Wildlife and sports shooters will want Canon’s fast AF and burst shooting. Street shooters might find Samsung’s smaller form appealing, but miss the focusing speed and low-light capabilities.

Macro shooters benefit from Canon’s superior resolution and focus accuracy.

Seeing the Images We Capture

Of course, words only go so far - let the images tell the story. Here are sample galleries from both cameras illustrating strengths and limitations.

Canon 5DS R front Canon 5DS R screen back Samsung GX 1S front Samsung GX 1S screen back

Canon’s images reveal incredible detail - fine textures and dynamic, vibrant colors. Samsung’s shots display less resolution and shallower tonal depth but possess a certain analog charm.

So Which One Should You Buy? A Friendly Verdict

After hands-on testing thousands of DSLRs, here’s my forthright advice for different photographers:

Choose the Canon EOS 5DS R if you:

• Demand top-tier image resolution and quality for portraits, landscapes, or commercial work
• Need reliable, fast autofocus for wildlife, sports, or event photography
• Value weather sealing and durability for outdoor shooting
• Want a versatile EF lens ecosystem with abundant professional glass
• Shoot video occasionally and want solid Full HD support
• Can commit to the ~ $3700 price point as an investment in quality and longevity

Opt for the Samsung GX-1S if you:

• Are on a tight budget (~ $850) and want a solid entry-level DSLR with decent manual controls
• Appreciate Pentax KAF lenses you already own or want affordable vintage options
• Prefer a lightweight, compact DSLR for casual shooting or street photography
• Don’t require fast autofocus or video functionality
• Enjoy shooting primarily in good light and static subjects

Yes, these two cameras inhabit very different worlds. The Canon 5DS R remains a beast for professionals and serious enthusiasts craving image detail and solid reliability. The Samsung GX-1S is more a nostalgic classic for hobbyists embracing manual craft.

Final Thoughts - The Long View on DSLR Evolution

Comparing cameras from 2015 and 2006 is almost like reading slices of photographic history. The Canon 5DS R embodies how DSLR technology pushed limits of resolution and build quality just before mirrorless RF mounts changed the game. Meanwhile, the Samsung GX-1S represents a transitional era where CCD sensors and modest resolutions dominated, and essential DSLR ergonomics began taking shape.

My advice? Embrace the camera that fits your creative needs and shooting style - not just specs on a sheet. Because after all, the best camera is the one you know how to use and inspires you to keep shooting.

Happy clicking!

That concludes our deep dive comparison. Thank you for exploring these two DSLR titans of their times with me.

If you have questions about specific photographic styles or need lens recommendations to go with these bodies, just ask!