Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
      58
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      69
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 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-1Ds Mark II was introduced in October 2005 and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV was introduced in February 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Highlights

      • 17.2 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 45 Focus Points
      • 2.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Highlights

      • 16.1 MP APS-H CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 45 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
      4. Advantage of Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

      PROS

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      •   No Video Capture
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      •   Sensor Resolution - 17.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Advantage of Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon 1Ds II
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II over Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-H
      Higher Sensor Resolution 17.2 Megapixel vs 16.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4992 x 3328 vs 4896 x 3264
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.70x vs 0.58x
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1480 vs 1320
      Higher DxO Color Depth 23.3 vs 22.8

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II.

      Canon 1D II
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D II N
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D
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      APS-H

      4 MP

      Canon 1D X III
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      Full Frame

      20.1 MP

      Canon 1D C
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Canon 1D III
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      APS-H

      10.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds
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      Full Frame

      11 MP

      Canon 1D X II
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      Full Frame

      20.2 MP

      Canon 1Ds III
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      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Canon 1D X
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Nikon D3500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Advantage of Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      Canon 1D IV
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS-1D Mark IV over Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II.

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 12,800
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.0" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 920k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/300 sec
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.3 vs 12.0
      Higher USB Speed USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz) vs 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

      Canon 1D III
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      APS-H

      10.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds
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      Full Frame

      11 MP

      Canon 1D X
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Canon 1D X II
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      Full Frame

      20.2 MP

      Canon 1D
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      APS-H

      4 MP

      Canon 1D II N
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D C
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Canon 1Ds III
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      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Canon 1D II
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 1D X III
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      Full Frame

      20.1 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Environmental Sealing
        Many Storage Slots22
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        Heavy1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II has a 2.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II features a 17.2 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 - 3,200. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV features a 16.1 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor with dimensions of 27.9 x 18.6 mm and a total area of 346 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 50 - 102,400 in boosted mode.


      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
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II can take pictures up to 4992 x 3328 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3600 x 2400, 3072 x 2048, 2496 x 1664 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4896 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 2880, 3672 x 2448, 3552 x 2368, 2448 x 1632 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Canon EF lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II 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 APS-H sensor in Canon EOS-1D Mark IV 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.


      No Image Stabilization

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

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV comes with LP-E4 battery pack with battery life of 1500 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II has two card slots - one for SD and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II). Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA 7).

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II has Electronic with the CCD sensor and Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, and up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II has 45 focusing points and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 45 focusing points..


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS-1D Mark IV ranges from +1 to +18 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and 1/300 sec on Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II body has dimensions of 156 x 158 x 80 mm (6.14 x 6.22 x 3.15") and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV body has dimensions of 156 x 157 x 80 mm (6.14 x 6.18 x 3.15"). Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II weighs 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz) and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV weighs 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz).

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      156 mm

      158 mm

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      156 mm

      157 mm

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      158 mm

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      157 mm

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      80 mm

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      80 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      81
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      80
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Large Sensor
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      GOOD
      73
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      POOR
      51
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1500 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and give them scores of 58 and 69 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      69

      Sensor

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 17.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74
      GOOD
      70
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Photo

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      81
      •   45 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      72
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

      GOOD
      78
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)
      •   2 Storage Slots
      GOOD
      75
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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