Canon EOS-1D Mark III vs Nikon 1 S1

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and the Nikon 1 S1, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III was introduced in February 2007 and Nikon 1 S1 was introduced in June 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS-1D Mark III over Nikon 1 S1.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 S1 over Canon EOS-1D Mark III.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Canon EOS-1D Mark III and Nikon 1 S1 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EOS-1D Mark III has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.76x (0.58x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 S1.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III features a 10.1 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor with dimensions of 28.7 x 18.7 mm and a total area of 536.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 50 - 6,400 in boosted mode. Nikon 1 S1 features a 10.1 megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 77.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Canon EOS-1D Mark III can take pictures up to 3888 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3456 x 2304, 2816 x 1880, 1936 x 1288 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon 1 S1 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2160, 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Canon EF lens mount and Nikon 1 S1 has Nikon 1 lens mount. Due to APS-H sensor in Canon EOS-1D Mark III its crop factor is equal to 1.3x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 S1 its crop factor is equal to 2.7x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.7.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS-1D Mark III it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 S1 nothing can be done. On Nikon 1 S1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS-1D Mark III nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon 1 S1 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.

External Storage Slots

Canon EOS-1D Mark III has two card slots - one for SD and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II). Nikon 1 S1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Nikon 1 S1 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1D Mark III, and up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Nikon 1 S1. Canon EOS-1D Mark III can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps. Nikon 1 S1 can shoot continuously up to 15.0 fps.

Focusing

Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 45 (19 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon 1 S1 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator system with 135 focusing points..

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Canon EOS-1D Mark III ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Canon EOS-1D Mark III and ±3 range on Nikon 1 S1. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1D Mark III and exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon 1 S1.

Flash

Nikon 1 S1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m. Canon EOS-1D Mark III has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/300 sec on Canon EOS-1D Mark III and 1/60 sec on Nikon 1 S1.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III body has dimensions of 156 x 157 x 80 mm (6.14 x 6.18 x 3.15") and Nikon 1 S1 body has dimensions of 102 x 61 x 30 mm (4.02 x 2.4 x 1.18"). Canon EOS-1D Mark III weighs 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz) and Nikon 1 S1 weighs 197 g (0.43 lb / 6.95 oz).

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Nikon 1 S1

156 mm

157 mm

102 mm

61 mm

157 mm

61 mm