Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 1Ds

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor while Canon EOS 1Ds has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 IV has a 16,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1Ds has 11 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a 45 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1Ds. 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 IV has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Canon EOS 1Ds has 50 to 1250.

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 IV
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1Ds

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 IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1Ds does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 1Ds weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 29% heavier than Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and its 1230 gr (or 2.71 lb).

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 1Ds Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Canon EOS 1Ds, 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 IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Name	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Manufacturer	Canon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Release Year	2009	2002
Release Date	2009-10-20	2002-09-24
MSRP	4999 USD	7499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Sensor Size	APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4896 x 3264 pixels	4064 x 2704 pixels
Megapixels	16,1 MP	11 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC 4	DIGIC
Image	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
ISO Range	50 - 102400	50 - 1250
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 IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous
Focus Points	45	45
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	Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	2”
Screen dots	920000	120000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)	0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Frames per second	10 fps	3 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	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 IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	H.264	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	No	No
Storage	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Memory Card	Compact Flash SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2	No
Remote Control	Yes (N3 connector)	Yes (N3 connector, Remote switch RS-60 E3)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV	Canon EOS 1Ds
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger	Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA)	1500 shots	N/A
Width	156 mm	156 mm
Height	157 mm	158 mm
Depth	80 mm	80 mm
Weight	1230 gram	1585 gram