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Camera home > Camera Reviews > Canon Reviews > Canon EOS-1Ds Mark IIIFirst Shots
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III First Shots includes test images straight from the lab. (more)
EOS-1Ds Mark III compared to other Canon Pro SLRs

EOS-1Ds Mark III vs Other Canon Pro SLRs

The chart below compares the EOS-1Ds Mark III with some other current Canon pro cameras. What we've done below is presented something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both cells will be colored green.

EOS-1Ds Mark III vs other Canon SLRs
Manufacturer
Canon
Canon
Canon
Model
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS-1Ds Mark II
EOS-1Ds Mark III
Imaging
System
Sensor Manufacturer
Canon Canon Canon
Sensor Type
CMOS CMOS CMOS
Color Filter Array
RGB RGB RGB
Total Megapixels
10.7
17.2
21.9
Effective Megapixels
10.1 16.7 21.1
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
28.1 x 18.7
35.8 x 23.8
36.0 x 24.0
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
1.3x
1.01x
1.0x
Image Processor
Dual DIGIC III
DIGIC II
Dual DIGIC III
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level pentaprism
Eye-level pentaprism
Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
100%
100%
100%
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
0.76x
0.70x
0.75x
Eyepoint (mm)
20
20
20
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
-3.0 to +1.0
-3.0 to +1.0
-3.0 to +1.0
Focusing Screen
Interchangeable,
Standard screen: EC-C IV; Interchangeable with EC-series screens from all previous EOS-1 series cameras
Interchangeable,
Standard screen: EC-C III; Interchangeable with EC-series screens from all previous EOS-1 series cameras
Interchangeable,
Standard screen: EC-C IV; Interchangeable with EC-series screens from all previous EOS-1 series cameras
Viewfinder
Info Display
AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure (metering mode, spot metering area, shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, AE lock, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure compensation, exposure warning), Flash (flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure level), Image (JPEG recording, RAW recording, shots remaining, white balance correction, memory card information), Battery check
AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, spot metering circle, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, FP flash, FE lock, flash exposure level), white balance correction, JPEG recording, number of remaining shots, memory card information
AF (AF points, focus confirmation light, point selection mode, registration), Exposure (metering mode, spot metering area, shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, AE lock, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), Flash (flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure level), Image (JPEG recording, RAW recording, shots remaining, maximum burst, white balance correction, memory card information), Battery check
Depth of Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Recording
System
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
CF Card Type I and II, SD/SDHC Memory Card (1 slot each), and/or External media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, via optional Canon WFT-E2A transmitter)
Type I or II CF card, SD memory card
CF Card Type I and II, SD/SDHC Memory Card (1 slot each), and/or External media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, via optional Canon WFT-E2A transmitter), compatible with UDMA-compliant CF cards, and SDHC SD cards
Compatible File System
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
Recording Formats
RAW, sRAW (CR2), JPEG
RAW (CR2), JPEG
RAW, sRAW (CR2); JPEG
A/D conversion
14-bit 12-bit 14-bit
Highlight Tone Priority Mode
Yes
No
Yes
Maximum Resolution
3,888 x 2,592 4,992 x 3,328 5,616 x 3,744
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
3,456 x 2,304
2,816 x 1,880
1,936 x 1,288
3,600 x 2,400
3,072 x 2,048
2,946 x 1,664
4,992 x 3,328
4,080 x 2,720
2,784 x 1,856
RAW + JPEG Recording
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Processing Parameters,
Color Space
&
White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Yes
Five standard types plus two types that can be registered with custom color matrix
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
WB settings
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, five Custom WB settings (1-5), user-set Color Temperature, five Personal White Balance PC-1 to PC-5
Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, fluorescent light, flash, custom, color temperature setting, custom white balance
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, five Custom WB settings (1-5), user-set Color Temperature, five Personal White Balance PC-1 to PC-5
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
2,500 ~ 10,000K
2,000 ~ 10,000K
2,500 ~ 10,000K
WB Adjustment Range
Blue/Amber bias and/or Magenta/Green bias +/- 9 levels; manually set by user
White balance correction: +/-9 stops in full-stop increments; Blue/amber bias or Magenta/Green bias possible
Blue/Amber bias and/or Magenta/Green bias +/- 9 levels; manually set by user
Autofocus
System
Type
TTL-AREA-SIR
AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
TTL-AREA-SIR
AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
TTL-AREA-SIR
AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
45-point (19 high-precision cross-type AF points plus 26 Assist AF points)
45 AF points (Area AF) 8x15mm (vertical x horizontal)
45-point (19 high-precision cross-type AF points plus 26 Assist AF points)
Superimposed Focus Point Display
Yes Yes Yes
AF Working Range
EV -1 ~ 18
EV 0 ~ 18
EV -1 ~ 18
AF-assist Beam
None. Emitted by EX-series Speedlite or optional ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter
None. Emitted by EX-series Speedlite or optional ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter
None. Emitted by EX-series Speedlite or optional ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter
One-shot AF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Predictive AI Servo AF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exposure
Control
Shooting Modes
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter speed-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, E-TTL II program AE (Evaluative flash metering, Averaged flash metering), Manual
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, E-TTL II autoflash, Manual, Flash metered manual
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter speed-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, E-TTL II program AE (Evaluative flash metering, Averaged flash metering), Manual
Metering Zones
63
21
63
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points), Partial metering (approx. 13.5%), Spot metering (approx. 3.8%; center, AF point or 8 multi-spot), Center-weighted average
Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points), Partial metering (approx. 8.5%), Spot metering (approx. 2.4%; center, AF point or 8 multi-spot), Center-weighted average
Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points), Partial metering (approx. 8.5%), Spot metering (approx. 2.4%; center, AF point or 8 multi-spot), Center-weighted average
Metering System Working Range
EV 0 ~ 20
EV 0 ~ 20
EV 0 ~ 20
ISO Range / Extended
100 ~ 3200 / 6400, 50
100 ~ 1600 / 3200, 50
100 ~ 1600 / 3200, 50
Exposure Compensation
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
± 3 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type
Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter; rated for 300K actuations
Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter; rated for 200K actuations
Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter; rated for 300K actuations
Shutter Speed Range
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
10 fps / 110 large/fine JPEG or 30 RAW frames (manufacturer's spec)
3.93 fps / 17 large/fine JPEG or 11 RAW frames
5 fps / 56 large/fine JPEG or 12 RAW frames (manufacturer's spec)
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
TBD
0.18
TBD
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
TBD
0.052
TBD
Startup time (sec.)
TBD
0.3
TBD
Flash
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
No
No
No
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
1/250
1/250
1/250
PC Sync Terminal
Yes
Yes
Yes
Playback
System
LCD Size / Pixel Count
3.0 in. LCD / 230,000 pixels
2.0 in. LCD / 230,000 pixels
3.0 in. LCD / 230,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
1.5~10x / Yes
1.5~10x / Yes
1.5~10x / Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
7 steps
? steps
7 steps
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
Yes
Yes
Yes
Live View mode
Yes No Yes
Other Features
Computer Connection
USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Menu Languages
18 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
12 (English, German, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Japanese)
18 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Camera Default Reset
Yes
Yes
Yes
Custom Functions (Quantity)
Yes (57)
Yes (48)
Yes (57)
Remote Control
N3-type remote control
N3-type remote control
N3-type remote control
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
Ultrasonic sensor dust-removal function
Yes
No
Yes
Eye-start AF
No
No
No
Anti-Shake
(Sensor shift)
No
No
No
Body Structure
Body Cover/Chassis
Magnesium Alloy /
Magnesium Alloy
Magnesium Alloy /
Magnesium Alloy
Magnesium Alloy /
Magnesium Alloy
Dust and weather resistant
Yes Yes Yes
Power System
Battery Compatibility
Main: LP-E4
Backup: CR2025
Main: NP-E3
Backup: CR2025
Main: LP-E4
Backup: CR2025
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20°C/68°F
2,200
1,200
TBA
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
156 x 156.6 x 79.9
156 x 157.6 x 79.9
156 x 159.6 x 79.9
Weight (body only)
1,155g / 40.7 oz.
1,215g / 42.9 oz.
1,205g / 42.5 oz.
Operational
Environment
Operating Temperature Range
0 ~ 45°C / 32 ~ 113°F
0 ~ 45°C / 32 ~ 113°F
0 ~ 45°C / 32 ~ 113°F
Operating Humidity Range
< 85%
< 85%
< 85%
Kit Lens
Focal length/aperture
-
-
-
Lens Compatibility
Lens Mount / Compatibility
Canon EF, TS-E, and MP-E lenses (except EF-S lenses)
Canon EF, TS-E, and MP-E lenses (except EF-S lenses)
Canon EF, TS-E, and MP-E lenses (except EF-S lenses)

 

 


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