Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

2008-02-21 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Canon, Canon 1DS Mark III, Canon DSLR

Here’s a piece of advice that is sure to be controversial—the 21MP Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is no match on a per-pixel quality basis to the 10.1MP Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which I raved about throughout 2007. That’s a pity; scaling up the 1DM3 sensor to full frame would have yielded 17MP, ample resolution. Instead, Canon chose an inferior sensor technology at 21MP.

Update: one reader wrote to say this should not be controversial at all. I agree, but there are plenty of dilettantes out there who favor a camera because it’s the brand they own (or just like for whatever reason). A camera is simply a tool—and so I have both Nikon and Canon, a requirement for what I want to do with this site, but also because different kinds of shooting call for different cameras. I have 4 kinds of hammers in my tool chest, but no one argues I should only own a ballpeen hammer. (Tip: apply one to your PC and get a Mac).

Better yet, if you want terrific color and low noise without the bloated file size of the 1DsM3, get a Nikon D3! I’ll be reporting more on the 1DsM3 in the next few months, but (literally) when I look at the 1DsM3 and the Nikon D3 sitting on my desk, my hand always reaches for the D3 first when heading out for a shoot. But perhaps the 1DsM3 will prove itself in Death Valley when I go in 7-10 days (other work demands have delayed my trip). On the negative side, its disappointing that I can’t shoot lenses like the Leica 180/2.8 APO (see review) on the D3—Nikon’s flange focal offset distance precludes lens adapters, whereas Canon’s does not.

Bottom line: consider very carefully whether megapixels alone “floats your boat”. There are so many other reasons to choose a camera. The same principle applies to lenses, and of course technique and tripods matter too.