Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony RX10 III
The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2007 and March 2016. The 1Ds Mark III is a DSLR, while the RX10 III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (1Ds Mark III) and an one-inch (RX10 III) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 21 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III? 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
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Sony RX10 III is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures 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 Sony RX10 III is considerably smaller (48 percent) than the Canon 1Ds 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 and possibly misleading, as the RX10 III has a lens built in, whereas the 1Ds Mark III is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 1Ds Mark III and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.
Concerning battery life, the 1Ds Mark III gets 1800 shots out of its Canon LP-E4 battery, while the RX10 III can take 420 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1Ds Mark III has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the RX10 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | 150 mm | 160 mm | 80 mm | 1385 g | 1800 | Y | Aug 2007 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony RX10 III | 133 mm | 94 mm | 127 mm | 1051 g | 420 | Y | Mar 2016 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 1D Mark III | 156 mm | 157 mm | 80 mm | 1155 g | 2200 | Y | Feb 2007 | US$ 4 499 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | 156 mm | 158 mm | 80 mm | 1215 g | 1200 | Y | Sep 2004 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1D C | 158 mm | 164 mm | 83 mm | 1545 g | 1120 | Y | Apr 2012 | US$ 14 999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 1D X | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1551 g | 1120 | Y | Oct 2011 | US$ 6 799 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 1D X Mark II | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1530 g | 1210 | Y | Feb 2016 | US$ 5 999 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 1D X Mark III | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1440 g | 2850 | Y | Jan 2020 | US$ 6 499 | amazon.com | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | 152 mm | 114 mm | 75 mm | 850 g | 850 | Y | Sep 2008 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 5D Mark III | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 950 g | 950 | Y | Mar 2012 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 6D | 145 mm | 111 mm | 71 mm | 770 g | 1090 | Y | Sep 2012 | US$ 2 099 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon 7D II | 149 mm | 112 mm | 78 mm | 910 g | 670 | Y | Sep 2014 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
13. | Nikon D3X | 160 mm | 157 mm | 88 mm | 1260 g | 4400 | Y | Dec 2008 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony RX10 | 129 mm | 88 mm | 102 mm | 813 g | 420 | Y | Oct 2013 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony RX10 II | 129 mm | 88 mm | 102 mm | 813 g | 400 | Y | Jun 2015 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony RX10 IV | 133 mm | 94 mm | 145 mm | 1095 g | 400 | Y | Sep 2017 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony RX100 IV | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 298 g | 280 | n | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 RX10 III was launched at a lower price than the 1Ds Mark III, despite having a lens built in. 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 imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. 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 1Ds Mark III features a full frame sensor and the Sony RX10 III an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX10 III is 87 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
With 21MP, the 1Ds Mark III offers a slightly higher resolution than the RX10 III (20MP), but the 1Ds Mark III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.41μm versus 2.41μm for the RX10 III) due to its larger sensor. However, the RX10 III is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 7 months) than the 1Ds Mark III, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.
The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 50-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.
In terms of underlying technology, the 1Ds Mark III is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX10 III uses a BSI-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.
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"). Of the two cameras under review, the 1Ds Mark III has a notably higher overall DXO score than the RX10 III (overall score 10 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.9 bits higher color depth, 0.6 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.8 stops in additional 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.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Full Frame | 21.0 | 5616 | 3744 | none | 24.0 | 12.0 | 1663 | 80 | |
2. | Sony RX10 III | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 23.1 | 12.6 | 472 | 70 | |
3. | Canon 1D Mark III | APS-H | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.7 | 11.7 | 1078 | 71 | |
4. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | Full Frame | 16.6 | 4992 | 3328 | none | 23.3 | 11.3 | 1480 | 74 | |
5. | Canon 1D C | Full Frame | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 4K/24p | 24.3 | 13.0 | 2155 | 85 | |
6. | Canon 1D X | Full Frame | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 11.8 | 2786 | 82 | |
7. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 3207 | 88 | |
8. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.2 | 14.5 | 3248 | 91 | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | Full Frame | 21.0 | 5616 | 3744 | 1080/30p | 23.7 | 11.9 | 1815 | 79 | |
10. | Canon 5D Mark III | Full Frame | 22.1 | 5760 | 3840 | 1080/30p | 24.0 | 11.7 | 2293 | 81 | |
11. | Canon 6D | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 12.1 | 2340 | 82 | |
12. | Canon 7D II | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.4 | 11.8 | 1082 | 70 | |
13. | Nikon D3X | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 24.7 | 13.7 | 1992 | 88 | |
14. | Sony RX10 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.9 | 12.6 | 474 | 69 | |
15. | Sony RX10 II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 23.0 | 12.6 | 531 | 70 | |
16. | Sony RX10 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.0 | 12.2 | 408 | 63 | |
17. | Sony RX100 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.6 | 591 | 70 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The RX10 III indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1Ds Mark III does not. The highest resolution format that the RX10 III can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX10 III has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the 1Ds Mark III has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the 1Ds Mark III has a higher magnification than the one of the RX10 III (0.76x vs 0.70x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1Ds Mark III and Sony RX10 III in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
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 1Ds Mark III | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Sony RX10 III | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 14.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon 1D Mark III | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
4. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | optical | Y | 2.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 4.0/s | n | n | |
5. | Canon 1D C | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
6. | Canon 1D X | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
7. | Canon 1D X Mark II | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1620 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 16.0/s | n | n | |
8. | Canon 1D X Mark III | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | n | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.9/s | n | n | |
10. | Canon 5D Mark III | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Canon 6D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.5/s | n | n | |
12. | Canon 7D II | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | Y | n | |
13. | Nikon D3X | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
14. | Sony RX10 | 1440 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
15. | Sony RX10 II | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 14.0/s | Y | Y | |
16. | Sony RX10 IV | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
17. | Sony RX100 IV | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1228 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 16.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The RX10 III has one, while the 1Ds Mark III does not. While the built-in flash of the RX10 III is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX10 III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The 1Ds Mark III writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDHC cards, while the RX10 III uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The 1Ds Mark III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the RX10 III only has one slot. The RX10 III supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 1Ds 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-1Ds Mark III and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Y | mono / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Sony RX10 III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
3. | Canon 1D Mark III | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 1D C | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon 1D X | Y | mono / - | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
8. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Canon 5D Mark III | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Canon 6D | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
12. | Canon 7D II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
13. | Nikon D3X | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Sony RX10 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
15. | Sony RX10 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
16. | Sony RX10 IV | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
17. | Sony RX100 IV | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the RX10 III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the 1Ds Mark III does not provide wifi capability.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1Ds Mark III (unlike the RX10 III) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Both the 1Ds Mark III and the RX10 III have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1Ds Mark III was replaced by the Canon 1DX, while the RX10 III was followed by the Sony RX10 IV. Further information on the features and operation of the 1Ds Mark III and RX10 III can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1Ds Mark III Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony RX10 III Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1Ds Mark III or the Sony RX10 III – 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.
Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III:
- Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (10 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.8 stops ISO advantage).
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.70x).
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
- More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
- More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1800 versus 420) on a single battery charge.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2007).
Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III:
- More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
- Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 230k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 1Ds Mark III requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (133x94mm vs 150x160mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 1Ds Mark III).
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More modern: Reflects 8 years and 7 months of technical progress since the 1Ds Mark III launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 III is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 11 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.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Sony RX10 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 1Ds Mark III and the RX10 III in practical situations. 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | .. | .. | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | .. | Aug 2007 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony RX10 III | 5/5 | + | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2016 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 1D Mark III | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Feb 2007 | US$ 4 499 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Sep 2004 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1D C | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Apr 2012 | US$ 14 999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 1D X | 5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2011 | US$ 6 799 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 1D X Mark II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | US$ 5 999 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 1D X Mark III | .. | + + | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2020 | US$ 6 499 | amazon.com | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | 4/5 | 91/100 | .. | 79/100 | 4/5 | .. | Sep 2008 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 5D Mark III | .. | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2012 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 6D | 5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 2 099 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon 7D II | 4.5/5 | + | 3.5/5 | 84/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
13. | Nikon D3X | .. | .. | .. | 86/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Dec 2008 | US$ 7 999 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony RX10 | 5/5 | + | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2013 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony RX10 II | 5/5 | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony RX10 IV | 5/5 | + | 3.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2017 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony RX100 IV | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price 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, 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 use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Canon 200D
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Canon G12
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D800E
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony A68
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony A850
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony NEX-5R
- Canon 5DS vs Sony RX10 III
- Canon 800D vs Sony RX10 III
- Canon G12 vs Sony RX10 III
- Fujifilm X-T3 vs Sony RX10 III
- Leica X Typ 113 vs Sony RX10 III
- Panasonic GX85 vs Sony RX10 III
Specifications: Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony RX10 III
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 Model | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0 |
Launch Date | August 2007 | March 2016 |
Launch Price | USD 7,999 | USD 1,499 |
Sensor Specs | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | 1" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | 13.2 x 8.8 mm |
Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | 116.16 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | 15.9 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | 2.7x |
Sensor Resolution | 21 Megapixels | 20 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5616 x 3744 pixels | 5472 x 3648 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 6.41 μm | 2.41 μm |
Pixel Density | 2.43 MP/cm2 | 17.18 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | no Video | 4K/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 1,600 ISO | 100 - 12,800 ISO |
ISO Boost | 50 - 3,200 ISO | 64 - 25,600 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC III (Dual) | BIONZ X |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 80 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 24.0 | 23.1 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.0 | 12.6 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1663 | 472 |
Screen Specs | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.76x | 0.70x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | Control Panel |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | 1229k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Tilting screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | 14 shutter flaps/s |
Electronic Shutter | no E-Shutter | up to 1/32000s |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | CF or SDHC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | UHS-I |
Connectivity Specs | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | micro HDMI |
Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
Near-Field Communication | no NFC | NFC built-in |
Body Specs | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Sony RX10 III |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
Battery Type | Canon LP-E4 | Sony NP-FW50 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 1800 shots per charge | 420 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
150 x 160 x 80 mm (5.9 x 6.3 x 3.1 in) |
133 x 94 x 127 mm (5.2 x 3.7 x 5.0 in) |
Camera Weight | 1385 g (48.9 oz) | 1051 g (37.1 oz) |
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