Compared to...

The table below compares Nikon's flagship D2X with Canon's flagship EOS-1Ds Mark II. Both of these cameras offer more double digit megapixel capture, rugged bodies and a huge range of professional features. The 'headline' feature advantages between the two are listed in the bullet points below, on paper at least the D2X looks good. See the next pages of this review for image quality comparisons.

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
• $3,000 less expensive than the EOS-1Ds Mark II
• Slightly smaller, lighter

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)

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