Canon 1D Mark III versus Canon 200D

The Canon EOS-1D Mark III and the Canon EOS 200D (labelled Canon SL2 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2007 and June 2017. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D Mark III) and an APS-C (200D) sensor. The 1D Mark III has a resolution of 10.1 megapixel, whereas the 200D provides 24 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 200D

The physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark III and the Canon 200D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the 1D Mark III – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 200D is considerably smaller (54 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark III. Moreover, the 200D is substantially lighter (61 percent) than the 1D Mark III. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1D Mark III is splash and dust resistant, while the 200D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor (as in the 1D Mark III) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (200D). You can find a comprehensive overview of suitable optics in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark III gets 2200 shots out of its LP-E4 battery, while the 200D can take 650 images on a single charge of its LP-E17 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 200D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 88 percent) than the 1D Mark III, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 200D

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D Mark III features an APS-H sensor and the Canon 200D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 200D is 37 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the 200D offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixel, compared with 10.1 MP of the 1D Mark III. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 7.21μm for the 1D Mark III). However, it should be noted that the 200D is much more recent (by 10 years and 4 months) than the 1D Mark III, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 200D has a markedly higher DXO score than the 1D Mark III (overall score 8 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.9 bits higher color depth, 1.7 EV in additional dynamic range, 0.1 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The 200D indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1D Mark III does not. The highest resolution format that the 200D can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison: Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 200D

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 1D Mark III and the 200D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1D Mark III and Canon 200D in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The 200D is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the 1D Mark III has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 1D Mark III was succeeded by the Canon 1D Mark IV.

Review summary: Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 200D

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1D Mark III and the Canon 200D? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III:

• Easier setting verification: Has an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (2200 versus 650) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2007).

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 200D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 54%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.7 EV of extra DR).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x93mm vs 156x156.6mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 702g or 61 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (88 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 10 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark III launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 200D is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1D Mark III or the 200D handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
Camera							Camera Launch (year)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (amazon)	Used Price (ebay)
	Canon 1D Mark III (⇒ rgt)	-	-	-	reviewed	-	2007	4,499	discont.	check
	Canon 200D (⇒ lft)	HiRec	78/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2017	549	latest	check
	Canon 2000D (⇒ lft | rgt)	reviewed	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	2018	449	latest	check
	Canon G9 X Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2017	529	latest	check
	Canon 800D (⇒ lft | rgt)	..	80/100 Gold	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	2017	749	latest	check
	Canon 80D (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	84/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2016	1,199	latest	check
	Canon 5DS R (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	83/100 Silver	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2015	3,699	latest	check
	Canon 100D (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	78/100 Gold	4/5	4/5	4/5	2013	549	discont.	check
	Canon 5D Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	82/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2012	3,499	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark IV (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	-	5/5	-	2009	4,999	discont.	check
	Canon 5D Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	91/100	79/100 HiRec	4/5	5/5	-	2008	3,499	discont.	check
	Canon 1Ds Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	4.5/5	-	-	2007	7,999	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	reviewed	-	2004	4,499	discont.	check
	Canon 1Ds (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	-	-	2002	8,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D3S (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	2009	5,199	discont.	check
	Nikon D3 (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	5/5	reviewed	4.5/5	2007	4,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D2Xs (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	reviewed	-	2006	4,699	discont.	check

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

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