Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS 1D X

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M 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 M 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 M 2012
Canon EOS 1D X 2011

Type of camera

Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 1D X is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D X has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS M has a 18 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 M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 1D X 18,1 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D X has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M. Canon EOS 1D X has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M 100-12800
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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M
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 M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D X can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M 4,3
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 M 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 350% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb
Canon EOS 1D X 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS 1D X Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M 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 M
Canon EOS 1D X
Name Canon EOS M Canon EOS 1D X
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Release Year 2012 2011
Release Date 2012-07-23 2011-10-18
MSRP 799 USD 6799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 18,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5 DUAL DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
ISO Range 100 - 12800 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 M
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 31 61
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

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
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 M
Canon EOS 1D X
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Frames per second 4,3 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 60 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 No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
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 M
Canon EOS 1D X
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with LC-5
Remote Control No Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Yes
Optional with GP-E1 and GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS 1D X
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E4N rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 1120 shots
Width 109 mm 158 mm
Height 66 mm 164 mm
Depth 32 mm 83 mm
Weight 298 gram 1340 gram