Canon · Camera History

Canon EOS-1 Series

Canon's EF-mount professional flagship DSLR line

Canon's professional EOS-1 flagship line — from the 4MP 2001 EOS-1D to the 2002 EOS-1Ds (the world's first production full-frame DSLR) and the EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon's definitive optical viewfinder camera and last great DSLR.

📷 5 generations 💷 £ → £3500 current
1
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Generation 1
Canon EOS-1D
£150 Released 2001 Canon's first pro digital DSLR — a 4MP, 8fps APS-H monster from 2001 that set the template for every 1D to follow. A landmark piece of digital camera history.
4MP 45-point AF with 7 cross-type points 8fps continuous (up to 21 RAW frames) ~1200 shots per charge Weather sealed 1225g (body only)
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2
📷
Generation 2
Canon EOS-1Ds
£200 Released 2002 The world's first production full-frame DSLR — the EOS-1Ds arrived in 2002 with 11MP and changed professional photography forever. Historically irreplaceable.
11MP 45-point AF with 7 cross-type points 3fps continuous ~500 shots per charge Weather sealed 1270g (body only)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 11MP (+7MP)
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3
EOS-1D X
Generation 3
Canon EOS-1D X
£279 Released 2012
18MP Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 61-point phase-detect AF (41 cross-type) with EOS iTR tracking No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) 12fps ~1120 shots (CIPA) 1530g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 18MP (+7MP)
  • Weather sealing removed
  • IBIS added
  • Burst rate: 12fps
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4
EOS-1D X Mark II
Generation 4
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
£444 Released 2016
20MP DCI 4K/60p, Full HD 120p 61-point phase-detect AF (41 cross-type) with EOS iTR tracking; Dual Pixel AF in Live View / movie No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) 14fps ~1210 shots (CIPA) 1530g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Video: DCI 4K/60p, Full HD 120p
  • Price: +£165 vs previous
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5
EOS-1D X Mark III
Current generation
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
£3500 Released 2020 Canon's DSLR masterpiece — 20fps live view, 5.5K RAW, 191 cross-type AF points, and dual CFexpress. Almost certainly the finest optical viewfinder camera ever made.
20MP 5.5K RAW, 4K 60fps (crop), 4K 60fps (full-frame via firmware) 191-point all cross-type OVF AF; 525-point Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Live View) 16fps mechanical, 20fps live view ~2850 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 1250g (body only)
What's new in this generation
  • Weather sealing added
  • Video: 5.5K RAW, 4K 60fps (crop), 4K 60fps (full-frame via firmware)
  • Price: +£3,056 vs previous
View full specs → Was the upgrade worth it? → Compare with previous →
All generations at a glance
Spec EOS-1D (2001) EOS-1Ds (2002) EOS-1D X (2012) EOS-1D X Mark II (2016) EOS-1D X Mark III (2020)
Price £150£200£279£444£3500
Resolution 4MP11MP18MP20MP20MP
Video ——Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60DCI 4K/60p, Full HD 120p5.5K RAW, 4K 60fps (crop), 4K 60fps (full-frame via firmware)
Stabilisation ——No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)—
Burst Rate 8fps continuous (up to 21 RAW frames)3fps continuous12fps14fps16fps mechanical, 20fps live view
Battery ~1200 shots per charge~500 shots per charge~1120 shots (CIPA)~1210 shots (CIPA)~2850 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed YesYesNoNoYes
Weight 1225g (body only)1270g (body only)1530g (with battery)1530g (with battery)1250g (body only)