Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

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Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

35mm 864.0mm²
18.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX.

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark II
Compare 1DX vs 1DX Mark II

Compare NIKON D4 vs CANON 1DX MARK II

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Canon 1DX

Less expensive
$5200 vs $6800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 6.94 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3S test data on DxO Mark 1DX test data on DxO Mark

3,253 vs 2,786 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

4200 vs 1120 shots
Capture more photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
90 vs 56 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 1DX advantages over Nikon D3S

External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 9.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D3S

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1DX

Body Only

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3S Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1DX.
Read our Canon 1DX Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D700

Nikon D3S

Nikon D700

$5200
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D700

Canon 1DX

Nikon D700

$5299
35mm

Higher effective ISO
External Mic Jack

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D700

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Canon 1DX

Nikon D3X

$5299
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$4500
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D3S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C

$5299
35mm

Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Headphone jack

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4S

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4S

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