Canon 1DX VS 5D MKIII Cameras

[Secretariat]

For those of you who have tried both the Canon 1DX and 5D MKIII,how do they compare to each other?In what areas is the the 1DX better than the 5D MKIII and vice versa?How do they compare in image quality?Do you think that it's worth getting the 1DX over the 5D MKIII if I only do a lot of action shots or even if I do shoot static subjects?
Thanks.

 

[bdunbar79]

I currently shoot with both. The 1DX IQ at equal % cropping is slightly better than the 5D3. Not much. I took both cameras to a baby photo shoot for a lady, and printed the files on 8 x 10 from both cameras, and there was something about the 1DX files I liked better. Is it $3000 better? NO. The only thing you'll be paying for on the 1DX is the superior AF/metering ability over the 5D3 and the IQ over the 1D4. It's a 5D3/1D4 mix camera. If you need to shoot action/sports, you'll want the 1DX or 1D4. 5D3 still lacks there. Portrait IQ on the 5D3 vs. 1DX is nil. My experiences of course.

 

[AmbientLight]

I also shoot with both. In case of macro shots the 1D-X ability to more quickly acquire focus does make a welcome difference to the 5D Mark III. Although I tend to shoot with manual focus quite a lot using macro lenses (I use both the 100mm and 180mm L macros) I noticed a tendency of me using autofocus much more often with the 1D-X.

One application for this is following ants. With the 5D Mark III I found those little creatures a bit to fast for using autofocus effectively, while using the 1D-X I can follow them around, keep them in focus and get results such as the attached shot of an ant with what you may call herd animals.

 

[pwalderh]

To me the big advantage of the 1DX is the weather sealing and the ability to program functions - just pushing one button and in a split second i can go from freezing a subject to panning ( i shoot mostly wildlife and motorsports) - must say the autofocus and action capabilities of the 5Dmk3 impressed me when i tested both shooting swallows in flight - a very small object with a lot of directional changes during flight with really tests the autofocus (shot handheld with a a 300mm....)

 

[bdunbar79]

To me the big advantage of the 1DX is the weather sealing and the ability to program functions - just pushing one button and in a split second i can go from freezing a subject to panning ( i shoot mostly wildlife and motorsports) - must say the autofocus and action capabilities of the 5Dmk3 impressed me when i tested both shooting swallows in flight - a very small object with a lot of directional changes during flight with really tests the autofocus (shot handheld with a a 300mm....)

Well what do you mean? An African or European swallow?

 

[Loswr]

Blue. No...yellow. AAAAHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

[pwalderh]

Well i guess my conclusion is that on IQ and unless you are using it under harsh conditions the 5D mk3 is a very, very capable camera - The bird is a Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

 

[Loswr]

The bird is a Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

But is it beating it's wings 43 times every second to maintain air speed velocity? And is it carrying a coconut? Regardless, I think it looks more like a robin. A brave Robin running bravely away.

Ok, I'll stop before someone turns me into a newt, or farts in my general direction.

;D

 

[bdunbar79]

Yes, you empty headed animal, food throp whopper!!

 

[thepancakeman]

The bird is a Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

But is it beating it's wings 43 times every second to maintain air speed velocity? And is it carrying a coconut? Regardless, I think it looks more like a robin. A brave Robin running bravely away.

Ok, I'll stop before someone turns me into a newt, or farts in my general direction.

;D

Thanks, Neuro, I needed a smile today and that definitely gave me one! ;D

 

[Chewy734]

I have used both for about a month each. I can't tell a noticeable difference between the 1D X and the 5D3 in terms of image quality, particularly at lower ISOs. At higher ISOs there is slightly less noise with the 1D X. However, I've noticed I can bring the shadows a little bit better in post with 1D X files than the 5D3 ones.

In terms of shooting itself, the 1D X is a tank, and it felt that way in every way. It's noticeably more solid than the 5D3 with a battery grip. The shutter feels and sounds better on the 1D X. However, I do miss the silent shooting mode on the 5D3, because the silent mode on the 1D X is a joke. I could take the 1D X to an outdoor shoot in the pouring rain without worrying about it at all. The much faster frame rate allows you to take action photos with ease. If you have a clear view of the object, you can't miss it with the 1D X. It focuses fast, and keep the action sharp throughout the entire sequence. The AF is also noticeably improved on the 1D X, especially in lower light. Most of my lenses lock focus faster on the 1D X than on the 5D3. Overall, the 1D X feels much better in my hands than the 5D3, which in turn, felt better than the 5D2 I previously had.

Those are just my personal observations...

 

[DJL329]

The bird is a Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

But is it beating it's wings 43 times every second to maintain air speed velocity? And is it carrying a coconut? Regardless, I think it looks more like a robin. A brave Robin running bravely away.

Ok, I'll stop before someone turns me into a newt, or farts in my general direction.

;D

Oh, sure, just take all the punchlines! The nerve!

 

[bdunbar79]

I've done enough tests now that I can say the 1DX's advantage is clearly the AF accuracy. I did another baby photo shoot last Tuesday, and I took both and slapped on the 85 f/1.2L II. I purposefully didn't use flash on a couple shots and took 10 shots of the baby's face, in low light, spot metering off the face. It was dark enough auto ISO gave 6400 on the 5D3 and 5000 on the 1DX. The 5D Mark III had 5/10 slightly out of focus. So then I used the 1DX, did the same thing, and all 10 were in focus. I was very happy with the test results. Not with the 1DX per se, but the results showed a pretty clear factor regarding AF. The 1DX seems to AF easier in lower light than the 5D Mark III, in this test. The 5/10 shots from the 5D3 were not keepers, and all of the 1DX shots were clear winners. IQ was no different.

Let me convert a few to jpeg and I'll demonstrate. Be back tonight.

 

[pakosouthpark]

do you guys know the difference in weather sealing of these both cameras?

 

[Loswr]

The 1D X is better sealed.

For the Canon lineup, sealing is 1-series >> 7D = 5DIII > 50D/60D = 5DII.

 

[JoeDavid]

To me, if you have to ask, you've never shot with a 1 series Canon camera. I have both and both fill a need. The 5DM3's silent continuous shooting mode alone makes it a more appropriate camera for some subjects and events while the 1D X is a vastly superior camera in just about every other way. One thing that people overlook about the 1D X is the accessory difference. Both the WIFI and GPS accessories take power from the camera so no bag full of AA batteries. I have a GP-E2 GPS for the 5DM3 and it works great for GPS coordinates (not so great for direction...) but it requires AA batteries and it sits in the hotshoe. Yes you can use it with a USB connection but it's in the way. The 1D X accessories are smaller and attach to the left side of the camera. A plus for me besides the obvious camera build quality, built in vertical grip, weather sealing, better AF, higher frame rates, etc... of the 1D X. It was tough to make the decision to sell the 1DM4 to partially finance the 1D X but, in the end, I'm glad I did.

 

[pakosouthpark]

The 1D X is better sealed.

For the Canon lineup, sealing is 1-series >> 7D = 5DIII > 50D/60D = 5DII.

yeah i know that but what is the actuall difference in the physical side of things?

 

[Loswr]

The 1D X is better sealed.

For the Canon lineup, sealing is 1-series >> 7D = 5DIII > 50D/60D = 5DII.

yeah i know that but what is the actuall difference in the physical side of things?

The 1D X has rubber O-rings or gaskets in many places where the 5DIII has foam seals, has gaskets in some places where the 5DIII has tight joints only, has buttons (which can be more effectively sealed) in place of a mode dial, has a non-metal surface surrounding the lens mount for better seal with a weather-selaed lens, etc.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

I am no pro and considered the 1dx for the slight cleaner high iso images and the better metering system but it just felt so large compared to the 5d3 and could see justifying it unless you needed the fps or the customizable buttons. I think a higher megapixel camera sounds more enticing.

 

[AmbientLight]

Size difference is actually kind of a non-issue. Gripped a 5D Mark III or 7D is similar in size to a 1D-X. Instead there is a significant advantage for 1-series bodies in terms of better usability. Getting used to this is similar to the addiction to L-lenses. Once you have experienced just how good it can be, you don't want to go back.