Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon 1 AW1

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS-1D X and the Nikon 1 AW1, 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 X was introduced in October 2011 and Nikon 1 AW1 was introduced in September 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 X over Nikon 1 AW1.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 AW1 over Canon EOS-1D X.

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 X has a 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Nikon 1 AW1 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EOS-1D X has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.76x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 AW1.

Canon EOS-1D X features a 18.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,200 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode. Nikon 1 AW1 features a 14.2 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 160 - 6,400.

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 X is equipped with Dual DIGIC 5+ processor and can take pictures up to 5184 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon 1 AW1 is equipped with EXPEED 3A processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution.

Lens Mount

Canon EOS-1D X has Canon EF lens mount and Nikon 1 AW1 has Nikon 1 lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS-1D X its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 AW1 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 X it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 AW1 nothing can be done. On Nikon 1 AW1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS-1D X nothing can be done.

Built-in GPS on Nikon 1 AW1

Nikon 1 AW1 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Nikon 1 AW1 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. Canon EOS-1D X has a Mini HDMI and Nikon 1 AW1 has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon EOS-1D X comes with LP-E4N battery pack with battery life of 1120 shots and Nikon 1 AW1 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.

External Storage Slots

Canon EOS-1D X has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA 7) card slots. Nikon 1 AW1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon 1 AW1 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1D X, and up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Nikon 1 AW1. Canon EOS-1D X can shoot continuously up to 14.0 fps. Nikon 1 AW1 can shoot continuously up to 60.0 fps.

Focusing

Canon EOS-1D X has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon 1 AW1 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator system with 135 focusing points. Canon EOS-1D X has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Canon EOS-1D X ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Canon EOS-1D X and ±3 EV range on Nikon 1 AW1. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1D X and exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon 1 AW1.

Flash

Nikon 1 AW1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m at ISO 100. Canon EOS-1D X has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Canon EOS-1D X and 1/60 sec on Nikon 1 AW1.

Canon EOS-1D X body has dimensions of 158 x 164 x 83 mm (6.22 x 6.46 x 3.27") and Nikon 1 AW1 body has dimensions of 114 x 72 x 37 mm (4.47 x 2.81 x 1.46"). Canon EOS-1D X weighs 1530 g (3.37 lb / 54.0 oz) and Nikon 1 AW1 weighs 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz).

Canon EOS-1D X

Nikon 1 AW1

158 mm

164 mm

114 mm

72 mm

164 mm

72 mm

83 mm

37 mm