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

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III were released 2012 and Canon EOS 1D X was released 2011. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012
Canon EOS 1D X 2011

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 5D Mark III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 1D X 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 5D Mark III has a 22,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D X has 18,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840
Canon EOS 1D X 18,1 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 23 % 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 III. Canon EOS 1D X has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 100 to 25600.

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

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 5D Mark III
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D X

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D X can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Canon EOS 1D X 12

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS 1D X 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 41% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark III and its 950 gr (or 2.09 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb
Canon EOS 1D X 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 1D X Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS 1D X, 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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 1D X
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Release Year 2012 2011
Release Date 2012-03-02 2011-10-18
MSRP 3499 USD 6799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5760 x 3840 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 18,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DUAL DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 6
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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 61
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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Frames per second 6 fps 12 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
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Yes
Optional with LC-5
Remote Control Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Yes
Optional with GP-E1 and GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E4N rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 1120 shots
Width 152 mm 158 mm
Height 116 mm 164 mm
Depth 76 mm 83 mm
Weight 950 gram 1340 gram