Canon
EOS-1Ds 2002
Best for Full-frame DSLR history & Canon archive collections
£200
list price · used from £102 at eBay
Decision tools · Compare
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.
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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 · 2002 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £200Best | £200Best |
| Sensor | 11.1MP full-frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 11.1MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | — | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 45-point AF with 7 cross-type points | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 3fps continuous | 6fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots per chargeBest | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1270g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 155.6 × 117.8 × 79.9mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | OVF, 0.70× magnification, 100% coverage | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 2.0" fixed LCD | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | CompactFlash Type I/II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB 1.1, FireWire | Micro 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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