Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. 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 1Ds Mark II was released 2004. That is a 8 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 1Ds Mark II 2004

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 1Ds 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 5D Mark III has a 22,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 16,6 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 1Ds Mark II 16,6 MP
16613376 pixels
4992 x 3328

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 33 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. 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 5D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 50-3200

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 1Ds 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 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 4

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 5D Mark III. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 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 Mark II weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 65% 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 1Ds Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, 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 1Ds Mark II
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Release Year 2012 2004
Release Date 2012-03-02 2004-09-21
MSRP 3499 USD 7999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
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 4992 x 3328 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 16,6 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DIGIC 2
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 25600 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
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 61 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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 2”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Frames per second 6 fps 4 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
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
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 Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
No
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
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 1200 shots
Width 152 mm 156 mm
Height 116 mm 158 mm
Depth 76 mm 80 mm
Weight 950 gram 1565 gram