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 |
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 |
| 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) |
