Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D780 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II was released 2004. That is a 16 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D780 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D780 has a 25 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
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16,6 MP
16613376 pixels
4992 x 3328

Nikon D780 has a 46 % 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

Nikon D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
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 Nikon D780
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. Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
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 Nikon D780. 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 86% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb

Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 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
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Name Nikon D780 Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Release Year 2020 2004
Release Date 2020-01-07 2004-09-21
MSRP 2299 USD 7999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 4992 x 3328 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 16,6 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
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 51 45
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (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
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 2”
Screen dots 2359000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Frames per second 12 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
No
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots 1200 shots
Width 144 mm 156 mm
Height 116 mm 158 mm
Depth 76 mm 80 mm
Weight 840 gram 1565 gram