Canon 1D Mark III vs 7D Mark II

The Canon EOS-1D Mark III and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2007 and September 2014. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D Mark III) and an APS-C (7D Mark II) sensor. The 1D Mark III has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the 7D Mark II provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 1D Mark III		Canon 7D II
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
10.1 MP, APS-H Sensor		20 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-3,200 (50 - 6,400)		ISO 100-16,000 (100 - 51,200)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 230k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
2200 shots per battery charge		670 shots per battery charge
156 x 157 x 80 mm, 1155 g		149 x 112 x 78 mm, 910 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark III and the Canon 7D II. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 7D II is considerably smaller (32 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark III. Moreover, the 7D Mark II is markedly lighter (21 percent) than the 1D Mark III. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 (7D Mark II). You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark III gets 2200 shots out of its LP-E4 battery, while the 7D Mark II can take 670 images on a single charge of its LP-E6N power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1D Mark III has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the 7D Mark II, Canon provides the BG-E16 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on eBay).

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)		Street Price
1.		Canon 1D Mark III	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1155 g	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499
2.		Canon 7D II	149 mm	112 mm	78 mm	910 g	670	Y	Sep 2014	1,799
3.		Canon 5DS R	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699
4.		Canon T6i	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749
5.		Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199
6.		Canon SL1	117 mm	91 mm	69 mm	407 g	380	n	Mar 2013	549
7.		Canon T5i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649
8.		Canon 5D Mark III	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	950 g	950	Y	Mar 2012	3,499
9.		Canon 1D Mark IV	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1230 g	1500	Y	Oct 2009	4,999
10.		Canon 7D	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699
11.		Canon 5D Mark II	152 mm	114 mm	75 mm	850 g	850	Y	Sep 2008	3,499
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	150 mm	160 mm	80 mm	1385 g	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999
13.		Canon 1D Mark II N	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1565 g	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999
14.		Canon 1D Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1535 g	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499
15.		Canon 1Ds	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1265 g	600	Y	Sep 2002	8,999
16.		Nikon D3	160 mm	157 mm	88 mm	1300 g	4300	Y	Aug 2007	4,999
17.		Nikon D2Xs	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Jun 2006	4,699
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The 7D Mark II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 60 percent) than the 1D Mark III, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D Mark III features an APS-H sensor and the Canon 7D II an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 7D Mark II is 36 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 7D Mark II offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 10.1 MP of the 1D Mark III. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.10μm versus 7.21μm for the 1D Mark III). However, it should be noted that the 7D Mark II is much more recent (by 7 years and 6 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.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 7D II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 7D Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1D Mark III are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The 7D Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 50-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 7D Mark II are ISO 100 to ISO 16000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Canon 1D Mark III	APS-H	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.7	11.7	1078		71
2.		Canon 7D II	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.4	11.8	1082		70
3.		Canon 5DS R	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.6	12.4	2308		86
4.		Canon T6i	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919		71
5.		Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926		68
6.		Canon SL1	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.8	11.3	843		63
7.		Canon T5i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681		61
8.		Canon 5D Mark III	Full Frame	22.1	5760	3840	1080/30p	24.0	11.7	2293		81
9.		Canon 1D Mark IV	APS-H	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	22.8	12.0	1320		74
10.		Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854		66
11.		Canon 5D Mark II	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	1080/30p	23.7	11.9	1815		79
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	none	24.0	12.0	1663		80
13.		Canon 1D Mark II N	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.2	975		66
14.		Canon 1D Mark II	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.1	1003		66
15.		Canon 1Ds	Full Frame	11.0	4064	2704	none	21.8	11.0	954		63
16.		Nikon D3	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2290		81
17.		Nikon D2Xs	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.2	10.9	489		59

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 7D Mark II indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1D Mark III does not. The highest resolution format that the 7D Mark II can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1D Mark III and the 7D Mark II 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 viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the 7D Mark II has a higher magnification than the one of the 1D Mark III (0.63x vs 0.58x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 1D Mark III and Canon 7D II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 1D Mark III	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
2.		Canon 7D II	optical	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0	Y	n
3.		Canon 5DS R	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
4.		Canon T6i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
5.		Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
6.		Canon SL1	optical	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.9	Y	n
7.		Canon T5i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
8.		Canon 5D Mark III	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	n	n
9.		Canon 1D Mark IV	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
10.		Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
11.		Canon 5D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.9	n	n
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
13.		Canon 1D Mark II N	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.5	n	n
14.		Canon 1D Mark II	optical	Y	2.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3	n	n
15.		Canon 1Ds	optical	Y	2.0	120	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0	n	n
16.		Nikon D3	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
17.		Nikon D2Xs	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 7D Mark II has one, while the 1D Mark III does not. While the built-in flash of the 7D Mark II is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Canon 7D II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 1D Mark III writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDHC cards, while the 7D Mark II uses Compact Flash or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. The 7D Mark II supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 1D Mark III cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and Canon EOS 7D Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 1D Mark III	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon 7D II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 5DS R	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon T6i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 70D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Canon SL1	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon T5i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon 5D Mark III	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 1D Mark IV	Y	stereo	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 7D	Y	mono	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 5D Mark II	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon 1D Mark II N	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
14.		Canon 1D Mark II	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
15.		Canon 1Ds	Y	-	-	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D3	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Nikon D2Xs	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 7D Mark II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The 7D Mark II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the 1D Mark III has been discontinued (but 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. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1D Mark III or the Canon 7D II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III:

• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (2200 versus 670) on a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2007).

Advantages of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 41%.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.58x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (149x112mm vs 156x157mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 245g or 21 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (60 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark III launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 7D Mark II is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 3 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. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D Mark III and the Canon 7D II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 1D Mark III and the 7D Mark II in practical situations. 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.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	..	..	Feb 2007	4,499
2.		Canon 7D II	4.5/5	+	84/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,799
3.		Canon 5DS R	5/5	+	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699
4.		Canon T6i	5/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749
5.		Canon 70D	5/5	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199
6.		Canon SL1	4/5	+	78/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549
7.		Canon T5i	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649
8.		Canon 5D Mark III	..	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2012	3,499
9.		Canon 1D Mark IV	5/5	..	89/100	..	..	Oct 2009	4,999
10.		Canon 7D	5/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699
11.		Canon 5D Mark II	4/5	91/100	79/100	4/5	..	Sep 2008	3,499
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	Aug 2007	7,999
13.		Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	3,999
14.		Canon 1D Mark II	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jan 2004	4,499
15.		Canon 1Ds	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2002	8,999
16.		Nikon D3	..	..	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	4,999
17.		Nikon D2Xs	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2006	4,699
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, 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

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 7D II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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