Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1Ds were released 2002 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III was released 2007. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1Ds 2002
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1Ds 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1Ds has a 11 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
Canon EOS 1Ds 11 MP
10989056 pixels
4064 x 2704
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has a 91 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1Ds. 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 1Ds Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 while Canon EOS 1Ds has 50 to 1250.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds 50-1250
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 Canon EOS 1Ds
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. Canon EOS 1Ds can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds 3
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 1Ds or Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 14% heavier than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and its 1385 gr (or 3.05 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds 1585 gr
3.49 lb
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 1385 gr
3.05 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds 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
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Release Year 2002 2007
Release Date 2002-09-24 2007-08-20
MSRP 7499 USD 6999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4064 x 2704 pixels 5616 x 3744 pixels
Megapixels 11 MP 21,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC DUAL DIGIC 3
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
ISO Range 50 - 1250 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 8 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 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 45 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
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 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 120000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Frames per second 3 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 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
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WFT-E2 II
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector, Remote switch RS-60 E3)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 1800 shots
Width 156 mm 150 mm
Height 158 mm 160 mm
Depth 80 mm 80 mm
Weight 1585 gram 1385 gram