- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Canon EOS 1D X
- 17.9 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3.2" LCD
#1 in DSLRs
Released March, 2012
Rated 100% by by Gary-W.-Meyer (Oct, 2012)focus system the best ever from Canon IQ is the best i have seen easy menu system great build on the bodyvery happy with the camera use for wildlife shooting and with the full frame for landscape also...I can see this would be a fantastic camera for weddings also.
Conclusion Check out the Canon EOS 1D X
First reviewed March, 2012
Features Key features of the Canon EOS 1D X
17.9 MP
Full frame
Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The back of the camera is fitted with a fixed 3.2in Clear View II LCD screen that offers a super sharp 1,040k-dot resolution and further benefits from toughened glass and an anti-glare coating that makes use of the camera in bright sunlight much easier.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24.2 MP    | 40 MP |
EOS 1D X by Primus (Dec, 2012)I used the 5D2 alongside the 1D4 in Jasper and found the 1D4 images were crisper, had better color and were overall more pleasing even though the megapixels are less.
EOS 1D X by c|net (Oct, 2011)While the 18-megapixel sensor is a resolution step back from the previous full-frame models, Canon says the reduced resolution was necessary to obtain the sports-level continuous-shooting speeds-one of the primary drivers of the historical separation of the line into two bodies.
sensor size
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The term ‘full-frame’ refers to the physical size of the sensor, and basically means that it is the same size (and therefore contains the same surface area) as a single frame from a 35mm strip of film.
EOS 1D X by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)I wanted to upgrade from crop sensor Canon to full frame Canon.
viewfinder size
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Thankfully, the 1D X’s viewfinder is superb with a big, bright window providing 100% frame coverage, a 0.76x magnification and the usual diopter correction controls.
EOS 1D X by c|net (Oct, 2011)The camera retains the same nice viewfinder as the previous models, but updates it with the overlays and readouts that debuted in the 7D.
body size
158 x 164 x 83 mm
104 x 59 x 29 mm
117 x 67 x 42 mm
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)While seasoned pros should be used to the size and weight, well-heeled enthusiasts looking for the best camera money can buy may well find it a bit cumbersome.
EOS 1D X by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)If you are a sports photographer, a wildlife photographer, or similar, weigh the price of this camera against the potential for needing to purchasing faster glass.
focus points
| 0 | 25  | 70 |
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The 1D X’s AF system is almost identical to the one used by the EOS-5D Mk III and benefits from a total of 61 AF-points, 41 of which are cross-type sensors for faster and more accurate focusing regardless of whether the camera is being held in portrait of landscape orientation.
EOS 1D X by Don-E.-Beeler--dbeeler (Oct, 2012)The other minor issue is the focus points are black, and most sports photographers use spot focus.
Performance Real world tests of Canon EOS 1D X
DxOMark image quality
EOS 1D X by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)Not sure how well that would work on subjects moving in the dark, as it might mess up your night vision (though red is the color least likely to break your night vision).
EOS 1D X by Barry-F.-Shaffer--Photogeek21 (Aug, 2012)Canon's flagship doesn't disappoint here, I found images to have great color rendition and excellent resolution.
DxOMark low light performance
EOS 1D X by Barry-F.-Shaffer--Photogeek21 (Aug, 2012)I mainly shoot high school football which, if you don't know, is mainly played at night in about the worst lighting you should ask a camera to shoot action sports in.
continuous shooting
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Used in Case 3 and firing off a burst of shots just as the subject entered the frame we managed to attain an exceptionally high hit-rate of pin-sharp images.
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)This has enabled Canon (and other camera manufacturers) to boost the continuous shooting speeds of these cameras well above what their high-resolution, full-frame models were capable of.
battery life
1,500 photos
4,200 photos
160 photos
EOS 1D X by lankynibbs (Apr, 2013)Battery life is less than optimal, so count on bringing a second battery to your typical model shoot... you get a little over 1100 pics per fully charged battery pack.
EOS 1D X by T.-Cayton--photographer (Aug, 2012)The battery charger hasn't received much press, but it has multiple LEDs to let you know battery charge status (50%, 80% and fully charged), and supports charging two batteries, although you only get one battery with the camera.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
Full frame -
14 fps -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
204,800 ISO -
41 -
61 -
3.2" -
0.76x -
1,040 k dots -
2,786 ISO -
Opaque -
1,500 -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
Preview photos before you take them
cons
-
11.8 ev -
0 -
The screen is fixed in place -
Taking quality photos in low-light will require external hardware -
No geotagging included -
1,530 g -
158 x 164 x 83 mm
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
|
|---|---|
 | Rated by 23 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by Naz (Nov, 2012)  Rated 100% by by dr-Phil-Gandini--gandini (Jan, 2013) Rated 60% by by S.-Meyer--Wedding-Photographer (Jul, 2012) |
Focus
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 60% by by Don-E.-Beeler--dbeeler (Oct, 2012)When the subject is running I will get groups of pictures that are in perfect focus and groups of pictures that are not in focus.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 80% by by G.-Jones (Sep, 2012)FOCUS is accurate and super sharp in good light.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The camera offers a range of AF modes including user defined single-point AF, automatic AF and AF tracking.
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The 1D X is built around a full-frame CMOS imaging sensor that delivers an 18MP of effective resolution.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by T.-Cayton--photographer (Aug, 2012)There are some good articles that explain the value of pixel size, and the almost 7 micron pixel size on this camera provides great results both for pictures and video.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by T.-Cayton--photographer (Aug, 2012)In fact, when depth of field is important with wide angle shots, I'm finding the higher ISO settings are working extremely well.
Iso
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)Granted, I can't hand hold at ISO 100 and have anything usable, but the quality, even at 12,600, is more than usable for any size print I personally will want.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)At 13x19 print size, you need to denoise a little, but they are still quite sharp at those ISOs.
Autofocus
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)In my mind, the argument made thus far about why it is setup the way it is, is for AF and light metering.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)The workaround that I've found that is serviceable, is to hit the AF point button, have all the points light up, choose my AF point and compose my shot keeping this point in mind.
Canon EOS 1D X | by c|net (Oct, 2011)Dubbed High Density Reticular AF, it's increased to 61 points, with different configurations depending upon where a point is on the grid.
Photography
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Seth-Sanchez (Feb, 2013)I started to shoot sports and began falling in love with sports photography.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)And with AI Servo, capturing that one sport shot you've always wanted, the bird in flight, the dog mid-jump... whatever fast action you want to grab, I can almost guarantee you'll have an easier time capturing it with this camera.
Canon EOS 1D X | Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)I am simply a photography student and photography enthusiast that had too much money available to him when making a purchase.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D600 Newest Nikon D600 vs Canon EOS 1D X |
 | 2 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2-way tie: Many many cross-type focus points 5D Mark III vs 1D X |
 | 3 | Nikon D800 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS 1D X |
 | 4 | Nikon D4 2-way tie: Highest ISO Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS 1D X |
 | 5 | Sony NEX-F3 Most detailed video recording mode Sony NEX-F3 vs Canon EOS 1D X |
 | 6 | Canon EOS 1100D Fastest to start up 1100D vs 1D X |
 | 7 | Nikon D3S Least noise at high ISO Nikon D3S vs Canon EOS 1D X |
 | 8 | Fujifilm FinePix T350 Image stabilization Fujifilm FinePix T350 vs Canon EOS 1D X |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Unanswered Questions
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December 24, 2012
Is the 1D better for video? Not just picture quality but audio
Also is the Menu more 'custom functionable' than the 5D III? Do the audio levels have to be reset each time recording is stopped and prior to resuming?
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