Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 1D Mark IV

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Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 1D Mark IV

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APS-H 525.5mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1D Mark III.

APS-H 518.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 1D Mark IV Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1D Mark IV.

Succeeded by the Canon 1D Mark IV

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Differences

Canon 1D Mark III advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

Bigger pixels
~ 7.23 vs 5.70 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.10 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

2200 vs 1500 shots
Capture more photos

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Canon 1D Mark III

Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
1D Mark IV test data on DxO Mark 1D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

1,320 vs 1,078 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
39 vs 19
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
45 vs 19
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
46 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Body Only

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1D Mark III.
Read our Canon 1D Mark III Initial Test

Read our Canon 1D Mark IV Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D3X

$4500
APS-H

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D3X

$1900
APS-H

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D3S

$4500
APS-H

Less expensive
Fast startup

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D3S

$1900
APS-H

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon 7D

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1499
APS-C

Internal flash
External Mic Jack

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon 7D

$1900
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1499
APS-C

Internal flash
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 7D

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 1D Mark III

Sony A77

$4500
APS-H

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Sony A77

Canon 1D Mark IV

Sony A77

$1900
APS-H

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Sony A77

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D4

$4500
APS-H

Less expensive
Fast startup

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D4

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D4

$1900
APS-H

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D4

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