Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS M3. 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 M3 was released 2015. That is a 11 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 M3 2015

Type of camera

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS M3 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 M3 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 M3 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 M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS M3 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 M3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Canon EOS M3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 50-3200
Canon EOS M3 100-12800

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 M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-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 M

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 M3

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 M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 4
Canon EOS M3 4,2

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 M3. 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 328% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS M3, 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 M3
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2004 2015
Release Date 2004-09-21 2015-02-06
MSRP 7999 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
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 6
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 12800
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 M3
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 49
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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 M3
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 4 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/0 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 5 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
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 steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS M3
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 250 shots
Width 156 mm 111 mm
Height 158 mm 68 mm
Depth 80 mm 44 mm
Weight 1565 gram 366 gram