Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS 850D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS 850D. 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 850D was released 2020. 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 Mark II 2004
Canon EOS 850D 2020

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 850D 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 850D 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 850D has 24 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 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS 850D has a 44 % 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 850D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Canon EOS 850D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 50-3200
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600

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 850D

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 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 4
Canon EOS 850D 7,5

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 850D. 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 204% heavier than Canon EOS 850D and its 515 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS 850D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS 850D, 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 850D
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II Canon EOS 850D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Release Year 2004 2020
Release Date 2004-09-21 2020-02-12
MSRP 7999 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
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 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16,6 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 DIGIC 8
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 25600
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 850D
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 45
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 850D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Frames per second 4 fps 7,5 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 4 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
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 Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS 850D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 800 shots
Width 156 mm 131 mm
Height 158 mm 103 mm
Depth 80 mm 76 mm
Weight 1565 gram 515 gram