Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS R6→Canon EOS-1Ds
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the EOS R6. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the EOS-1Ds
-
Battery life~500 shots per charge vs 380 shots (LCD), 510 shots (EVF)
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution11MP (down from 20MP — optimised for low light)
-
StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | EOS R6 | EOS-1Ds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.8 | ||
| Street | -2.7 | ||
| Travel | -2.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -2.9 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -3.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | -3.1 | ||
| Landscape | -1.9 | ||
| Wildlife | -2.7 | ||
| Casual | -3.2 | ||
| Food | -3.9 | ||
| Macro | -4.0 | ||
| Architecture | -2.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.8 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS R6 | EOS-1Ds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £200 | |
| Released | 2020 | 2002 | ↓ |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 11.1MP full-frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 11MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K 60fps (crop), 4K 30fps (full), 1080p 120fps | — | |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 6072 AF positions, subject tracking | 45-point AF with 7 cross-type points | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops coordinated IS | — | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 3fps continuous | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 380 shots (LCD), 510 shots (EVF) | ~500 shots per charge | ↑ |
| Weight | 598g (body only) | 1270g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.76× 3.69M-dot | OVF, 0.70× magnification, 100% coverage | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M-dot | 2.0" fixed LCD | |
| Mount | Canon RF | Canon EF | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | CompactFlash Type I/II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS R6 and EOS-1Ds next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS-1Ds against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the EOS R6
Related buying guides
Camera family history