Compared to...

The table below was originally featured in our Nikon D2X review and was always intended to be used in both reviews. It shows that both of these cameras aim to offer similar things; double digit megapixel capture, a rugged body and a wide range of professional features. The 'headline' feature advantages for each camera are listed in the bullet points below, as you can see the EOS-1Ds Mark II does have some clear advantages, however you would have to ask yourself if these are worth the $2,500 premium.

In favor of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

• A 4.4 million pixel advantage, larger pixel pitch
• Full 35 mm frame sensor (36 x 24 mm)
• Wider default sensitivity range: ISO 100 - 1600 (additionally ISO 50 & 3200)
• JPEG quality programmable (10 levels)
• Dual storage capable (CF and SD)
• Firewire (IEEE 1394) connectivity
• Fully environmentally sealed
• Advanced RAW converted included (DPP)

In favor of the Nikon D2X

• Faster default continuous shooting (5 fps vs 4 fps)
• Special high-speed crop continuous shooting mode (8 fps at 7 MP)
• Lighter and more powerful Lithium-Ion battery, more battery info
• Slightly larger LCD monitor (2.5" vs 2.0")
• Additional features: Timelapse, GPS, Overlay
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface
• $2,500 less expensive than the EOS-1Ds Mark II
• Slightly smaller, lighter

	Canon EOS-1Ds Mk II	Nikon D2X
Body	Magnesium alloy Rugged Environmentally sealed O-rings around controls	Magnesium alloy Rugged Rubber seals on compartments
Street Price **	US: $ 7,500 UK: £ 5,200	US: $ 5,000 UK: £ 3,500
FOV crop	1.0x (full size 35 mm)	1.5x (Nikon DX format) 2.0x (High-speed crop mode)
Lens mount	Canon EF mount (not EF-S)	Nikon F mount (inc. DX lenses)
Sensor	17.2 million total pixels CMOS RGB color filter array 36 x 24 mm 7.2 x 7.2 µm pixel pitch	12.8 million total pixels CMOS RGB color filter array 23.7 x 15.7 mm 5.49 x 5.49 µm pixel pitch
Image sizes	4992 x 3328 (16.6 MP) 3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP) 3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP) 2496 x 1664 (4.2 MP)	4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP) 3216 x 2136 (7.0 MP) 2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP)
High-speed crop	n/a	3216 x 2136 (7.0 MP) 2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP) 1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP)  - with FOV crop of 2.0x
Sensitivity	Default ISO 100 - 1600 + ISO 50, 3200 equiv. option	Default ISO 100 - 800 + ISO 1600, 3200 equiv. option
File formats	RAW JPEG RAW + JPEG	RAW TIFF JPEG RAW + JPEG
Color modes	4 x sRGB 1 x Adobe RGB 2 x custom (space, sat., color tone)	2 x sRGB 2 x Adobe RGB 1 x sYCC
Auto Focus	45 area TTL-AREA-SIR CMOS 0 to 18 EV working range 7 cross-type, F2.8 or faster	11 area (9 area in HS crop) Multi-CAM 2000 -1 to 19 EV working range 9 cross-type, F5.6 or faster
AF Area Modes	One-shot AF AI Servo AF Manual Focus	Single Area AF Dynamic AF + tracking Closest Subject Priority Group Dynamic AF
Metering	21 zone SPC	1005-pixel CCD 3D Color Matrix Metering 0 to 20 EV working range
Metering modes	21 Area Evaluative Partial Spot	3D Color Matrix Metering II Center Weighted Avg. Spot
Exp. Compen.	-3 to +3 EV	-5 to +5 EV
EV steps	1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV	1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Shutter speed	30 to 1/8,000 sec Bulb	30 to 1/8,000 sec Bulb
Flash X-sync	1/250 sec High speed to 1/8000 sec	1/250 sec High speed to 1/8000 sec
Continuous (full size image)	4.0 fps Up to 32 JPEG frames Up to 11 RAW frames	5.0 fps Up to 22 JPEG frames Up to 17 NEF frames
Continuous (High-speed crop)	n/a	8.0 fps Up to 35 JPEG frames Up to 29 NEF frames
White balance	Auto (1 sensor) Six presets Manual Kelvin color temperature WB Bracketing Personal WB	Auto (3 sensor hybrid) Five presets Manual Kelvin color temperature WB Bracketing Fine Tuning
Image Params	Sharpness Tone curve Contrast Color saturation Color tone	Sharpness Tone Color saturation Color hue
Noise reduction	Long exposure (Off, On)	Long exposure (Off, On) High ISO (Off, Normal, High)
Timelapse	No	Yes, Interval Timer
LCD Monitor	2.0" TFT LCD 230,000 pixels	2.5" TFT LCD 235,000 pixels
Audio clips	Yes, Voice narration	Yes, Voice narration Optional auto record
Orientation sensor	Yes	Yes
Wireless option	Yes, 802.11 b/g	Yes, 802.11 b/g
JPEG quality programmable	Yes (10 levels)	Yes (2 levels)
Storage	Compact Flash (Type I/II) Secure Digital (SD)	Compact Flash (Type I/II)
Battery	NiMH NP-E3	Lithium-Ion EN-EL4
Battery info	Battery life (4 stages)	Battery life (5 stages) Remaining charge (%) Shots taken since last charge Calibration status
Charger	Dual pack charger 120 mins full charge	Quick charger 100 mins full charge
Connectivity	USB 1.1 IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Remote terminal PC Sync terminal	USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Video Out Remote 10-pin PC Sync terminal
GPS connection	No	Yes, optional
Dimensions	156 x 158 x 80 mm (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)	158 x 150 x 86 mm (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in)
Weight (including battery, no lens)	1.56 kg (3.4 lb)	1.25 kg (2.8 lb)

** Prices correct at time of publication