Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn and Canon EOS 1D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn were released 2005 and Canon EOS 1D Mark III was released 2007. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 2005
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-H") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark III has 10,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10,1 MP
10077696 pixels
3888 x 2592

Canon EOS 1D Mark III has a 23 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn. Canon EOS 1D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 6400 while Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 50-3200
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 50-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark III

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn can shoot up to 8,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 8,5
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn or Canon EOS 1D Mark III can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 35% heavier than Canon EOS 1D Mark III and its 1155 gr (or 2.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 1565 gr
3.45 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 1155 gr
2.55 lb

Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn and Canon EOS 1D Mark III, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Name Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Release Year 2005 2007
Release Date 2005-08-22 2007-02-22
MSRP 3999 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Sensor Size APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 3504 x 2336 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 8,2 MP 10,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 DUAL DIGIC 3
Image
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
ISO Range 50 - 3200 50 - 6400
White Balance Presets 8 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 45 19
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Frames per second 8,5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WFT-E2 II
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Pack LP-E4
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 2200 shots
Width 156 mm 156 mm
Height 158 mm 157 mm
Depth 80 mm 80 mm
Weight 1565 gram 1155 gram