Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II

Nikon D300

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II were released 2004 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	2004
Nikon D300	2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D300 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D300	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has a 16,6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D300 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	16,6 MP 16613376 pixels 4992 x 3328
Nikon D300	12,3 MP 12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has a 36 % larger resolution than Nikon D300. 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

Nikon D300 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Nikon D300 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	50-3200
Nikon D300	200-6400

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 1Ds Mark II
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	4
Nikon D300	6

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II or Nikon D300 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 Mark II weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 69% heavier than Nikon D300 and its 925 gr (or 2.04 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II	1565 gr 3.45 lb
Nikon D300	925 gr 2.04 lb