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 |
| Continuous (full size image) |
4.0 fps |
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
