How can I choose between 1DX and 5D MARK III?

[firewalker]

I want to upgrade my camera which is 5D markii.
For those of you who have tried both the Canon 1DX and 5D MKIII,

1. how do they compare to each other?

2. How do they compare in image quality?(Especially under ISO 50 and 100)

3. Do you think that it's worth getting the 1DX over the 5D MKIII if I mostly do a lot of landscape shots and sometime shoot birds?

Many thanks!

 

[RLPhoto]

If you have to ask, get the MK3.

 

[Loswr]

1. how do they compare to each other?

2. How do they compare in image quality?(Especially under ISO 50 and 100)

3. Do you think that it's worth getting the 1DX over the 5D MKIII if I mostly do a lot of landscape shots and sometime shoot birds?

1. They're both excellent. The 1D X is a little more excellent (and I love mine).

2. No meaningful differences under ISO 3200.

3. I'd say no, unless you plan to shoot a lot of landscapes in the rain.

 

[firewalker]

So should I say 1DX is not good at landscape shooting?

 

[Loswr]

So should I say 1DX is not good at landscape shooting?

If you need to drive in a nail, would you buy a hammer, or would you buy a 200-piece tool kit that included 4 hammers? The 1D X is great at landscape shooting...but if that's your main focus, it's likely more than you need.

 

[jasonsim]

If landscapes are your main subject, I would get the 5D Mk III. It has extra pixels that most landscape photogs enjoy. The 5D III will still do very well with tracking birds in flight and 6FPS is very respectable. The AF system is basically the same as the 1Dx and you now get f/8 AF (using converters).

The 1Dx is good if you mainly stay in AI SERVO and do lots of sports or wildlife photography. It has spot AF for any focus point that helps shooting indoor sports (especially helpful for ice skating and hockey). There might also be a 1 stop benefit in ISO noise quality over the 5D MK III. This might be important for wedding photographers and event stuff. But, unless you are getting paid for those things, I'm not sure that is worth the extra coin on its own. It has better weather sealing yes, but for me personally, I don't think I would test its limits anyway. If it starts to hail or down pour and I am out with my 500mm or 600mm with the 1Dx, I am looking for cover; no matter what they say is sealed. If you are a working professional and need the shots rain or shine, then you might test the weather seals more than I care to do.

The other thing to consider is the substantial price differential. The 5D III is on sale many places now and the savings from not buying the 1Dx, might afford you another lens to add to your arsenal. I am thinking a 17mm f/4L TS-E might be nice for landscape work or a 14mm f/2.8L II. Just a thought.

Best of luck to you. You really cannot go wrong with either of those bodies!

--Jason

 

[sanj]

1dx and 5d3 do not compare when it comes to shooting birds.

 

[DaveMiko]

The choice between the 5D Mark III and the 1DX is no choice, at all.

 

[Mexecutioner]

I have both, I use the 5D3 for landscapes mostly and for birds or other action shots the 1DX. Before I got the 5D3 I used the 1DX for everything and is an excellent performer. If you don't need the speed then save some $ and get the 5D3 along with a nice glass.
Consider the size and weight of the 1DX body too. Does not matter to me, but can get heavy after a few hours of carrying it around.

 

[chilledXpress]

I have both, I use the 5D3 for landscapes mostly and for birds or other action shots the 1DX. Before I got the 5D3 I used the 1DX for everything and is an excellent performer. If you don't need the speed then save some $ and get the 5D3 along with a nice glass.
Consider the size and weight of the 1DX body too. Does not matter to me, but can get heavy after a few hours of carrying it around.

Owning both also, I concur. I think your point #3 says a lot. If you are a BIF person or sports shooter needing a high FPS most of the time then 1DX... if 90% of the time landscapes, portraiture and general photography are what you're doing then the 5D3 is a sweet rig. Money being no object, either way you really can't go wrong with those choices.

 

[distant.star]

Mexecutioner??

What does that mean??

 

[Sharp Shot]

I own both cameras, so this is my take.
1. Weight, size and frames per second are the big differences between them. The difference in mp is notable as well, but I consider that to be secondary. If you do a lot of hiking for landscapes, the smaller size and weight is a big factor in favor of the 5D Mk III. Frames per second aren't usually a factor in landscapes, unless you're shooting waves or other moving things.
2. At low ISO settings, image quality is comparable, both are excellent. That said, I've always considered the 1DX to have a "buttery" look to them, really smooth. At higher ISO settings, the 1DX beats the 5D Mk III hands down.
3. The 1DX is superb at bird or other moving object photography. It just can't be beat. The 5D Mk III is also excellent but the 12 vs 6 fps and the buffer size makes a big difference. They have similar autofocus, but the 1DX is better due to its dedicated processor. I've captured many great birds in flight shots with the 5D Mk III that I would not have been able to take with the 5D Mk II, which I also owned.

Most of my shooting is for the birds, secondary is landscape. When I go for landscapes, the 1DX stays home. When I go for birds, the 1DX is on the 600 mm lens and the 5D Mk III is on the 200 - 400 mm or a 70 - 200 with a 1.4X. Both get used and produce great images

Bottom line recommendation, buy the 5D Mk III and save the money for another lens or something else that would improve your photography.

 

[j1jenkins]

I own the 5D Mk III and I love it. It's not as fast at the 1Dx, but I still use it for action shots and it performs well. I have rented the 1Dx and it's OUTSTANDING for action at 12 fps, but if you're shooting landscapes, the frame rate isn't nearly as important. Also, the 5D has 4 more megapixels than the 1Dx.

If money is no object, then get both. ;D

 

[Northstar]

i have both....IQ is slightly better w/ 5d3 due to extra pixels if i'm shooting landscape.

1dx IQ takes the lead at 2000 ISO and above.

1dx is made for sport and wildlife shooters...and folks that need weather sealing.

 

[wayno]

If you mostly shoot landscapes then the 5d3 won't offer you much more than the 5d2. That said, the birds thing will make a difference. I've recently added a 5d3 to my kit and it is a great camera but to my eye, there is no difference in IQ. In fact at low ISO I find myself preferring the 5d2 by a whisker.

 

[caruser]

If money is no object, then get both. ;D

Or get the 1DX for BiF etc. and keep the 5DII as backup and for light(er) weight hiking. For landscapes there shouldn't be much difference between the 5DII and 5DIII.

That's more or less what I did because the 1DX had a few features that I was really interested in; that said, I would also love to have the 5DIII's silent mode (the 1DX also has a "silent mode" but it isn't really silent).

 

[StudentOfLight]

1) What are you buying into?
This question is answered quite thoroughly by others.

2) They both shoot exceptionally clean images up to ISO-800, and acceptably good up to 3200. From 3200 upwards the 1DX is about 1-stop cleaner. Personally I wouldn't shoot higher than 25600 on the 1DX or 12800 on the 5D-III but that's just me.

3) In your work, how often will the 27% more pixels of the 5D-III give you the image you need vs how often will 14fps get you the picture you need?

 

[retina]

If you have to ask, get the MK3.

+1

The choice between the 5D Mark III and the 1DX is no choice, at all.

+1

Big enough gap between the two camera's, from specs to price. This shouldn't be a that hard decision really...

Following the "right tool for the job" principle, you should make your choice based on what you will shoot, rather than the image quality difference between the two, which will be quite minimal (if any) @ 100 ISO.

You could also consider 6D + 7D/70D for landscape and birds respectively.

 

[pwp]

Consider the size and weight of the 1DX body too. Does not matter to me, but can get heavy after a few hours of carrying it around.

A meaningful comparison between these two cameras should refer to a gripped 5D3.

Canon 1DX with battery 1,540 grams (3.4 lb)
Canon 5D Mk3 with grip & two batteries 1,418 grams (3.12 lb)

And to illustrate how they've grown:
Canon 1D Mk4 with battery 1,390 grams (3.0 lb)

-pw

 

[jasonsim]

You can without a doubt capture BIF with a 5D III. For those that cannot, might need to improve their skill. The AF on the 5D III is superior to 1D MK 4, which many wildlife photographers lived and died by and still do.

All captured with a 5D III: