Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D90 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D90 were released 2008 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III was released 2007. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D90 2008
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D90 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 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 **
Nikon D90 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 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 D90 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has a 72 % larger resolution than Nikon D90. 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 D90 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. Nikon D90 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D90 200-6400
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 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 D90
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D90 4,5
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 5

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 D90. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds Mark III weighs 1385 gr (equal to 3.05 lb) which is 97% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 1385 gr
3.05 lb

Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 1Ds 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
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Name Nikon D90 Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Release Year 2008 2007
Release Date 2008-08-27 2007-08-20
MSRP 899 USD 6999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 5616 x 3744 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 21,1 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) DUAL DIGIC 3
Image
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
ISO Range 200 - 6400 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 D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
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 11 45
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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 D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Frames per second 4,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
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
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with WFT-E2 II
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D90
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 1800 shots
Width 132 mm 150 mm
Height 103 mm 160 mm
Depth 77 mm 80 mm
Weight 703 gram 1385 gram