Canon 1D Mark IV versus Canon 77D

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and the Canon EOS 77D are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in October 2009 and February 2017. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D Mark IV) and an APS-C (77D) sensor. The 1D Mark IV has a resolution of 16 megapixel, whereas the 77D 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 IV vs Canon 77D

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark IV and the Canon 77D. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures 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 IV – 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 77D is considerably smaller (47 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark IV. Moreover, the 77D is substantially lighter (56 percent) than the 1D Mark IV. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1D Mark IV is splash and dust resistant, while the 77D 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 IV) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (77D). You can find a comprehensive overview of suitable optics in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark IV gets 1500 shots out of its LP-E4 battery, while the 77D can take 600 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 77D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 82 percent) than the 1D Mark IV, 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 IV vs Canon 77D

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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 IV features an APS-H sensor and the Canon 77D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 77D 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 77D offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixel, compared with 16 MP of the 1D Mark IV. 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 5.70μm for the 1D Mark IV). However, it should be noted that the 77D is much more recent (by 7 years and 3 months) than the 1D Mark IV, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 77D has a markedly higher DXO score than the 1D Mark IV (overall score 4 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.8 bits higher color depth, 1.3 EV in additional dynamic range, 0.4 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the 77D provides a faster frame rate than the 1D Mark IV. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the 1D Mark IV is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 77D

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1D Mark IV and the 77D 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 1D Mark IV, the Canon 77D, and comparable cameras. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

The 77D is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the 1D Mark IV has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the 1D Mark IV from Canon.

Review summary: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 77D

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1D Mark IV and the Canon 77D? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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

• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1500 versus 600) 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 October 2009).

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 77D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16MP), which boosts linear resolution by 23%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.3 EV of extra DR).
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k 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 (131x100mm vs 156x157mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 690g or 56 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 (82 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 3 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark IV launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 77D 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 1D Mark IV and the 77D in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. 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 IV (⇒ rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	-	5/5	-	2009	4,999	discont.	check
	Canon 77D (⇒ lft)	..	82/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	2017	899	latest	check
	Canon T7 (⇒ lft | rgt)	reviewed	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	2018	449	latest	check
	Canon M6 (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	80/100 Silver	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	2017	779	latest	check
	Canon SL2 (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	78/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2017	549	latest	check
	Canon T7i (⇒ lft | rgt)	..	80/100 Gold	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	2017	749	latest	check
	Canon M5 (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	82/100 Silver	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	2016	979	latest	check
	Canon 1D X Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2016	5,999	latest	check
	Canon 1D X (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2011	6,799	discont.	check
	Canon 60D (⇒ lft | rgt)	87/100 Rec	79/100 Silver	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	2010	1,399	discont.	check
	Canon 7D (⇒ lft | rgt)	93/100 HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2009	1,699	discont.	check
	Canon 5D Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	91/100	79/100 HiRec	4/5	5/5	-	2008	3,499	discont.	check
	Canon 50D (⇒ lft | rgt)	90/100 HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2008	1,299	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	reviewed	-	2007	4,499	discont.	check
	Canon 1Ds Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	-	-	2004	7,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D4 (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	2012	5,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D3S (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	2009	5,199	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. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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 use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If the camera you are interested in is not available, kindly get in touch, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

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