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EOS-1Ds vs A5100

Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; only the EOS-1Ds is weather sealed.

16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

EOS-1Ds — Full-Frame Dslr History & Canon Archive Collections: The world's first production full-frame DSLR — the EOS-1Ds arrived in 2002 with 11MP and changed professional photography forever. Historically irreplaceable.

A5100 — Casual & Travel: The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.

Who should buy what
EOS-1Ds (2002)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Collectors and historians of professional digital photography
  • Canon archivists who want the full EOS-1 lineage represented
  • Photography educators documenting the full-frame transition
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
  • Compact travel photographers
  • Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification EOS-1DsCanon · 2002A5100Sony · 2014
Price £200Best£200Best
Sensor 11.1MP full-frame CMOS24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
Resolution 11.1MP24.3MPBest
Video —1080p/60p
Autofocus 45-point AF with 7 cross-type pointsHybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection
Stabilisation —No stabilisation
Burst Rate 3fps continuous6fpsBest
Battery Life ~500 shots per chargeBest~400 shots (CIPA)
Weight 1270g (body only)224g (body only)Best
Dimensions 155.6 × 117.8 × 79.9mm109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm
Weather Sealed YesBestNot weather sealed
Viewfinder OVF, 0.70× magnification, 100% coverageNo viewfinder
Screen 2.0" fixed LCD3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots
Mount Canon EFSony E-mount
Memory Cards CompactFlash Type I/IISingle SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot
Connectivity USB 1.1, FireWireMicro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
EOS-1Ds
A5100
Portrait
5.1/10
5.4/10
Street
3.6/10
7.0/10
Travel
3.5/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
4.6/10
3.5/10
Documentary
3.6/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
4.4/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.2/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.0/10
5.5/10
Casual
1.9/10
5.1/10
Food
3.5/10
5.9/10
Macro
3.2/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.0/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.7/10
4.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
5.0/10
Fun & simple
—
4.5/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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