Canon 1Ds Mark II versus Canon 200D

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and the Canon EOS 200D (labelled Canon SL2 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2004 and June 2017. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a full frame (1Ds Mark II) and an APS-C (200D) sensor. The 1Ds Mark II has a resolution of 16.6 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 1Ds Mark II vs Canon 200D

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1Ds Mark II and the Canon 200D. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the 1Ds Mark II – 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 1Ds Mark II. Moreover, the 200D is substantially lighter (63 percent) than the 1Ds Mark II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1Ds Mark II 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 1Ds Mark II) 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 1Ds Mark II gets 1200 shots out of its NP-E3 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 93 percent) than the 1Ds Mark II, 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 1Ds Mark II vs Canon 200D

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth than smaller pixel-units 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 1Ds Mark II features a full frame sensor and the Canon 200D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 200D is 62 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 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 16.6 MP of the 1Ds Mark II. 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 1Ds Mark II). However, it should be noted that the 200D is much more recent (by 12 years and 9 months) than the 1Ds Mark II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. 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 1Ds Mark II (overall score 5 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.3 bits higher color depth, 2.1 EV in additional dynamic range, 0.5 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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

Feature comparison: Canon 1Ds Mark II vs Canon 200D

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1Ds Mark II 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 1Ds Mark II and Canon 200D in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

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

Review summary: Canon 1Ds Mark II vs Canon 200D

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1Ds Mark II or the Canon 200D – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II:

• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.5 stops ISO advantage).
• 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.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1200 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 September 2004).

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 200D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16.6MP), which boosts linear resolution by 20%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (5 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.1 EV of extra DR).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• 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.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x93mm vs 156x157.6mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 762g or 63 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 (93 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 12 years and 9 months of technical progress since the 1Ds Mark II launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 200D is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 1Ds Mark II and the 200D 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 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 full reviews are available 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 1Ds Mark II (⇒ rgt)	-	HiRec	-	-	-	2004	7,999	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 1D X Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2016	5,999	latest	check
	Canon 100D (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	78/100 Gold	4/5	4/5	4/5	2013	549	discont.	check
	Canon 6D (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	83/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2012	2,099	discont.	check
	Canon 1D X (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2011	6,799	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark IV (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	-	5/5	-	2009	4,999	discont.	check
	Canon 1Ds Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	4.5/5	-	-	2007	7,999	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	reviewed	-	2007	4,499	discont.	check
	Canon 5D (⇒ lft | rgt)	88/100	HiRec	reviewed	reviewed	-	2005	3,299	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark II N (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	-	-	2005	3,999	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

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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