Canon EOS 70D vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS 1D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 70D were released 2013 and Canon EOS 1D Mark III was released 2007. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 70D 2013
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 70D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark III 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.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 70D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** 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 70D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark III has 10,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 70D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10,1 MP
10077696 pixels
3888 x 2592

Canon EOS 70D has a 98 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark III. 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 70D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D Mark III. Canon EOS 70D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 1D Mark III has 50 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 70D 100-12800
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 50-6400

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 70D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D 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 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 70D 7
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10

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 70D. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1D Mark III 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 1D Mark III weighs 1155 gr (equal to 2.55 lb) which is 53% heavier than Canon EOS 70D and its 755 gr (or 1.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 70D 755 gr
1.66 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark III 1155 gr
2.55 lb

Canon EOS 70D vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS 1D 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 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Name Canon EOS 70D Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Release Year 2013 2007
Release Date 2013-07-02 2007-02-22
MSRP 1199 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 20,2 MP 10,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DUAL DIGIC 3
Image
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
ISO Range 100 - 12800 50 - 6400
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 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 19 19
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 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 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT color LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Frames per second 7 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
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 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Yes
Optional with WFT-E2 II
Remote Control Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack LP-E4
Battery Life (CIPA) 920 shots 2200 shots
Width 139 mm 156 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 79 mm 80 mm
Weight 755 gram 1155 gram