Upgrade Guide

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III→Canon EOS R1

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Canon

EOS-1D X Mark III

£3500

2020

→

Upgrade to

Canon

EOS R1

£5999 (+£2,499)

2024

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the EOS-1D X Mark III. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the EOS R1

↑

Resolution

24MP vs 20MP (+4MP)
↑

Stabilisation

IBIS added — significant for handheld and video
↑

Burst rate

40fps electronic, 12fps mechanical vs 16fps mechanical, 20fps live view
↑

Generation

4 years newer (2024 vs 2020)

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	EOS-1D X Mark III	EOS R1
Price	£3,500	£5,999
Released	2020	2024	↑
Sensor	20.1MP full-frame CMOS	24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked CMOS
Resolution	20MP	24MP	↑
Video	5.5K RAW, 4K 60fps (crop), 4K 60fps (full-frame via firmware)	6K RAW/60p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	191-point all cross-type OVF AF; 525-point Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Live View)	Dual Pixel CMOS AF III — 100% coverage, deep learning subject detection
Stabilisation	—	IBIS — up to 8 stops combined
Burst Rate	16fps mechanical, 20fps live view	40fps electronic, 12fps mechanical	↑
Battery Life	~2850 shots (CIPA)	~530 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	1250g (body only)	1470g (with battery)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	OVF 0.76× magnification, 100% coverage	EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification
Screen	3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 4.15M dots	3.2" fully articulating touchscreen
Mount	Canon EF	Canon RF mount
Memory Cards	Dual CFexpress Type B slots	Dual CFexpress Type B

Compare side-by-side

See EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R1 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS R1 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the EOS-1D X Mark III

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Camera family history