Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. 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

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.

** 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 1Ds has a 11 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has a 91 % 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 1Ds Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 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 1Ds
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 1Ds or Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 14% heavier than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and its 1385 gr (or 3.05 lb).

Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds and Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Name	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Manufacturer	Canon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Release Year	2002	2007
Release Date	2002-09-24	2007-08-20
MSRP	7499 USD	6999 USD
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Camera Type	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4064 x 2704 pixels	5616 x 3744 pixels
Megapixels	11 MP	21,1 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC	DUAL DIGIC 3
Image	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
ISO Range	50 - 1250	50 - 3200
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 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds 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	45
Lens Mount	Canon EF See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	2”	3”
Screen dots	120000	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	0.7×	0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Frames per second	3 fps	5 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 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Memory Card	Compact Flash	Compact Flash SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds 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, Remote switch RS-60 E3)	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS 1Ds	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Ni-MH Pack NP-E3	Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	1800 shots
Width	156 mm	150 mm
Height	158 mm	160 mm
Depth	80 mm	80 mm
Weight	1585 gram	1385 gram