Canon EOS 6D vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. 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

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 6D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 6D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has 16,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 6D has a 25 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. 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 Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 6D. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Canon EOS 6D has 100 to 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 6D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 6D can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 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 Mark IV weighs 1230 gr (equal to 2.71 lb) which is 60% heavier than Canon EOS 6D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Canon EOS 6D vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 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 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Name	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Manufacturer	Canon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Release Year	2012	2009
Release Date	2012-09-17	2009-10-20
MSRP	2099 USD	4999 USD
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Camera Type	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)	APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	5472 x 3648 pixels	4896 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels	20,2 MP	16,1 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC 5+	DIGIC 4
Image	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
ISO Range	100 - 25600	50 - 102400
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 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
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 Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	11	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	APS-H Sensor 1.3x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 31 mm 50 mm becomes 65 mm 100 mm becomes 130 mm 200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	1040000	920000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	Clear View II TFT LCD	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	97%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.71×	0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Frames per second	4,5 fps	10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 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
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	H.264	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 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	Yes
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in	Yes Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
Remote Control	Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	Yes Built-in, Image tagging and tracking modes	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS 6D	Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	1090 shots	1500 shots
Width	145 mm	156 mm
Height	111 mm	157 mm
Depth	71 mm	80 mm
Weight	770 gram	1230 gram