Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D X and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS 1D X

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1D X were released 2011 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released 2008. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS 1D X	2011
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	2008

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 Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D X	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 X has a 18,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D X	18,1 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	21,1 MP 21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 17 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D X. 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 X has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Canon EOS 1D X has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 50 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D X	100-51200
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50-25600

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 X
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D X can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D X	12
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	3,9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 1D X and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot movies.

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 X weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 58% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark II and its 850 gr (or 1.87 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS 1D X	1340 gr 2.95 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	850 gr 1.87 lb