Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS 1200D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS 1200D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II were released 2004 and Canon EOS 1200D was released 2014. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 2004
Canon EOS 1200D 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS 1200D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 1Ds Mark II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 1200D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 Mark II has a 16,6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1200D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16,6 MP
16613376 pixels
4992 x 3328
Canon EOS 1200D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 1200D has a 8 % 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

Canon EOS 1200D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Canon EOS 1200D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 50-3200
Canon EOS 1200D 100-6400

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 Mark II
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1200D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1200D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 4
Canon EOS 1200D 3

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 1200D. Sadly, the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 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 Mark II weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 226% heavier than Canon EOS 1200D and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb
Canon EOS 1200D 480 gr
1.06 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS 1200D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS 1200D, 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 Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II Canon EOS 1200D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Release Year 2004 2014
Release Date 2004-09-21 2014-02-12
MSRP 7999 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4992 x 3328 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 16,6 MP 18 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 6400
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 Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 9
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 230000 460000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Frames per second 4 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 9 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (E3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 1200D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 500 shots
Width 156 mm 130 mm
Height 158 mm 100 mm
Depth 80 mm 78 mm
Weight 1565 gram 480 gram