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Canon 1D vs Nikon D2H

The Canon EOS-1D and the Nikon D2H are two professional cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2001 and July 2003. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D) and an APS-C (D2H) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 4.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 4 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon 1D
versus
Nikon D2H
Canon 1D   Nikon D2H
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
4.1 MP – APS-H sensor 4 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 200-1,600 (100 - 3,200) ISO 200-1,600 (200 - 6,400)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.0" LCD – 120k dots 2.5" LCD – 211k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second 8 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
500 shots per battery charge2900 shots per battery charge
156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1585 g 158 x 150 x 86 mm, 1070 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D and the Nikon D2H? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 1D and the Nikon D2H are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 1D vs Nikon D2H
Compare 1D versus D2H top
Comparison 1D or D2H rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D2H is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Canon 1D. Moreover, the D2H is markedly lighter (32 percent) than the 1D. 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 will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D2H).

Concerning battery life, the 1D gets 500 shots out of its Canon NP-E3 battery, while the D2H can take 2900 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL4a power pack. As can be seen in the images above, both cameras have a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1D 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1585 g 500 Y Sep 2001 6,499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D2H 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1070 g 2900 Y Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1440 g 2850 Y Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D C 158 mm 164 mm 83 mm 1545 g 1120 Y Apr 2012 14,999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III 150 mm 160 mm 80 mm 1385 g 1800 Y Aug 2007 7,999ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1565 g 1200 Y Aug 2005 3,999ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1D Mark II 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1535 g 1200 Y Jan 2004 4,499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 1Ds 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1265 g 600 Y Sep 2002 8,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D1H 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 Y Feb 2001 4,499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D2H was launched at a markedly lower price (by 46 percent) than the 1D, 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 features an APS-H sensor and the Nikon D2H an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D2H is 34 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon 1D and Nikon D2H sensor measures

With 4.1MP, the 1D offers a slightly higher resolution than the D2H (4MP), but the 1D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 11.56μm versus 9.50μm for the D2H) due to its larger sensor. However, the D2H is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 9 months) than the 1D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The Canon EOS-1D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D2H are ISO 200 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-6400.

In terms of underlying technology, the 1D is build around a CCD sensor, while the D2H uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

1D versus D2H MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 1D APS-H 4.1 2496 1662none........
2.
 
Nikon D2H APS-C 4.0 2464 1632none18.910.035240
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.214.5324891
4.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
5.
 
Canon 1D C Full Frame 17.9 5184 34564K/24p24.313.0215585
6.
 
Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.8278682
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.0132074
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III Full Frame 21.0 5616 3744none24.012.0166380
10.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N APS-H 8.2 3504 2336none22.311.297566
11.
 
Canon 1D Mark II APS-H 8.2 3504 2336none22.311.1100366
12.
 
Canon 1Ds Full Frame 11.0 4064 2704none21.811.095463
13.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
14.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
15.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
16.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
17.
 
Nikon D1H APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Neither the 1D nor the D2H offer Live View, so that they cannot project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen. Moreover, both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 1D and the D2H 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 D2H has a higher magnification than the one of the 1D (0.57x vs 0.55x), 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 and Nikon D2H along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 1Doptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 8.0/s n n
2.
 
Nikon D2Hoptical Y2.5 / 211 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 1D Coptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
6.
 
Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Canon 1D Mark II Noptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 8.5/s n n
11.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIoptical Y2.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n n
12.
 
Canon 1Dsoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n n
13.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D1Hoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 1D and the D2H write their files to Compact Flash cards.

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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 and Nikon D2H and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 1DY- / ----FW---
2.
 
Nikon D2HY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
5.
 
Canon 1D CYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark IIIYmono / ----2.0---
10.
 
Canon 1D Mark II NY- / ----1.1---
11.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIY- / ----1.1---
12.
 
Canon 1DsY- / ----FW---
13.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D1HY- / ----FW---
padding

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

Both the 1D and the D2H have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1D was replaced by the Canon 1D Mark II, while the D2H was followed by the Nikon D2Hs. Further information on the features and operation of the 1D and D2H can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1D Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D2H Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 1D better than the Nikon D2H or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D:

  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/16000s vs 1/8000s) to freeze action.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2001).

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D2H:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.55x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.5" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (211k vs 120k dots).
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 515g or 32 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (2900 versus 500) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (46 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 9 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D2H comes out slightly ahead of the 1D (7 : 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. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

1D 06:07 D2H

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D and the Nikon D2H 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 1D or the D2H. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1D......+ +.... Sep 2001 6,499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D2H......+ +.... Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III..+ +5/5..4.5/54/5 Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D C............ Apr 2012 14,999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III......+ +4.5/5.. Aug 2007 7,999ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N............ Aug 2005 3,999ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1D Mark II......+ +.... Jan 2004 4,499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 1Ds......+ +.... Sep 2002 8,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D1H......+ +.... Feb 2001 4,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated 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 rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon 1D vs Nikon D2H

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2001 July 2003
    Launch Price USD 6,499 USD 3,499
    Sensor Specs Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-H Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 28.7 x 19.1 mm 23.3 x 15.5 mm
    Sensor Area 548.17 mm2 361.15 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 34.5 mm 28 mm
    Crop Factor 1.3x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 4.1 Megapixels 4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 2496 x 1662 pixels 2464 x 1632 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 11.56 μm 9.50 μm
    Pixel Density 0.76 MP/cm2 1.11 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 1,600 ISO 200 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3,200 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 40
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 18.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 10.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 352
    Screen Specs Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.55x 0.57x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    Rear LCD Size 2.0inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 120k dots 211k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 8 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector Firewire USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 1D Nikon D2H
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Canon NP-E3 Nikon EN-EL4a
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge2900 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 156 x 158 x 80 mm
    (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)
    158 x 150 x 86 mm
    (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 1585 g (55.9 oz) 1070 g (37.7 oz)
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