Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS Ra

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds and Canon EOS Ra. 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 Ra was released 2018. That is a 16 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1Ds 2002
Canon EOS Ra 2018

Type of camera

Canon EOS 1Ds is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS Ra is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 Ra 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 Ra has 30 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 Ra 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS Ra has a 174 % 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 Ra has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds. Canon EOS Ra has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 40000 while Canon EOS 1Ds has 50 to 1250.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds 50-1250
Canon EOS Ra 100-40000

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 Ra belongs to the Canon EOS R-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 R

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 Ra

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 Ra can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds 3
Canon EOS Ra 8

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS Ra. Sadly, the Canon EOS 1Ds does not support this.

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 140% heavier than Canon EOS Ra and its 660 gr (or 1.46 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds 1585 gr
3.49 lb
Canon EOS Ra 660 gr
1.46 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds vs Canon EOS Ra Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds and Canon EOS Ra, 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 Ra
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Canon EOS Ra
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Release Year 2002 2018
Release Date 2002-09-24 2018-11-05
MSRP 7499 USD 2499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
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 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 11 MP 30 MP
Image Processor DIGIC DIGIC 8
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
ISO Range 50 - 1250 100 - 40000
White Balance Presets 8 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 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 5655
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

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 Ra
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 2” 3.2”
Screen dots 120000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Frames per second 3 fps 8 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 No
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 Ra
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector, Remote switch RS-60 E3)
Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon EOS Ra
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 370 shots
Width 156 mm 136 mm
Height 158 mm 98 mm
Depth 80 mm 84 mm
Weight 1585 gram 660 gram