Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D780 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III were released 2007 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 2007
Nikon D780 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D780 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has a 21,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D780 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D780 has a 16 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. 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

Nikon D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 50-3200
Nikon D780 100-51200

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 III
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D780

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 III can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 5
Nikon D780 12

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 Nikon D780. Sadly, the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 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 III weighs 1385 gr (equal to 3.05 lb) which is 65% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 1385 gr
3.05 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and Nikon D780, 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 III
Nikon D780
Name Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Nikon D780
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Release Year 2007 2020
Release Date 2007-08-20 2020-01-07
MSRP 6999 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 5616 x 3744 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 21,1 MP 25 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 3 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 8 12
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 III
Nikon D780
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 51
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
FX (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 Mark III
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 230000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Frames per second 5 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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 III
Nikon D780
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 No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with WFT-E2 II
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1800 shots 2260 shots
Width 150 mm 144 mm
Height 160 mm 116 mm
Depth 80 mm 76 mm
Weight 1385 gram 840 gram