• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.46 vs 6.58 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4200 vs 1210 shots
    Capture more photos

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Nikon D3S

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 12.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 90 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    14.1 fps vs 9.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 41 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

  • Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S
Nikon D3X
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S
Canon 1DX
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 1DX
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S
Nikon D4
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D4
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D3S
Nikon D4S
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D4S
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5

Nikon D3S
Nikon D5
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D5
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
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