Home | Reviews | Cameras | Digital Cameras | Digital SLRs

Canon EOS-1Ds Digital SLRs

4.8/5 (10 Reviews)

Write a review



  • Image Sensor TypeCMOS
    Resolution11.1 Megapixel
    Camera TypeSLR/Professional
    Interchangeable LensInterchangeable Lenses
    Digital ZoomWithout Digital Zoom
    Focus TypeAutofocus & Manual Focus
    Camera Resolution11.1 Megapixel
    Image Resolutions4064 x 2704 • 2032 x 1352
    Shutter Speed30 - 1/8000 sec
    White BalanceAuto • Manual • Daylight / Sunny (Preset) • Fluorescent (Preset) • Tungsten (Preset) • Shade (Preset) • Overcast (Preset) • Flash (Preset)
    Frames Per Second3 Frames
    Memory TypeCompactFlash Card Type I
    Compression ModesFine • Normal • Uncompressed
    Compression TypeJPEG • Raw Image
    File Size (High Res.)11.4 MB (11 images on 128MB card)
    File Size (Low Res.)1.4 MB (about 91 images on 128MB card)
    ISO Speeds100
    Flash TypeExternal
    ViewfinderOptical (Through-the-lens)
    LCD PanelWith LCD Panel
    LCD Panel Size2 in.
    LCD Screen Resolution120,000 pixels
    LCD Protected PositionWithout LCD Protected Position
    Interface TypeFireWire
    Battery TypeProprietary Lithium
    Battery Life600 Images
    Self Timer2 Sec. • 10 Sec.
    Mp3 Built In
    Built-in MicrophoneWith Built-in Microphone
    Built-in SpeakerWithout Built-in Speaker
    Tripod MountWith Tripod Mount
    Operating SystemApple Mac OS 8 • Apple Mac OS 9 • Microsoft Windows 2000 • Microsoft Windows 98SE • Microsoft Windows ME • Microsoft Windows XP
    Width6.1 in.
    Depth3.1 in.
    Height6.2 in.
    Weight2.79 lb.
    Warranty1 Year
    Included AccessoriesSoftware • Hand Strap • Driver • Battery Charger • Strap
    Release DateNovember, 2004
    Product ID20258153

Product Description

Professional digital SLR body with EF lens mount
  • Sensor: 11.1 Megapixel CMOS
  • Max resolution: 4064x2704 pixels
  • Capture rate: 3 frames-per-second
  • ISO 100-1250
  • Focus: 45 AF points w. One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, and Manual focus
  • Flash sync: 1/250 sec
  • Storage media: CompactFlash Type I and II
  • File formats: JPEG and Canon RAW
  • IEEE1394 (Firewire) interface


    • Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

    Reviews 1 - 5 (10 Reviews Total) | Next 15

    User Reviews

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by WebMedia a Professional

    Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004

    Strengths:    Extremely high quality images, razor sharp detail, 11MP's and overall professional grade control!

    Weaknesses:    One weekness I see in this camera is in some situations the prints from the camera tend to get some light run off or burning on two to three of the corners as well as down one side... Took the camera back only to find all the others in the store did the same... they are still scratching their heads with this one

    Bottom Line:   
    I just couldn't wait to get my hands on this camera. After having the D60 and the 10D, I felt like I had enough experience (since I do this for a living) to move forward with the big boy! This camera is NOT for the photographer who just wants a hot rod. There is so much to learn on this camera versus that of the D60 and the 10D. To put it blunt, this is a PROFESSIONAL camera with PROFESSIONAL settings. Anyone who wants built in flash or auto settings... gonna have to stay with the 10D.. no such things on this camera! Overall, I just started printing pics as big as 20x30 after doing some interpolation and the images are unreal.

    Expand full review >>

    Price Paid:    $6800.00

    Purchased At:   Allen's Camera

    Similar Products Used:   Canon 10D, Canon D60


    Overall Rating:4
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by GRS a Intermediate

    Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004

    Strengths:    Amazing image quality. Rugged, versatile, great lens selection, files are about as much as the average computer can handle.

    Weaknesses:    Cost for most. And weight. I wouldn't carry this around a city on a trip. But I wouldn't take a medium format system either. A small 5 to 8 megapixel camera will do fine for that purpose and the shots can be processed the same way.

    Bottom Line:   
    I inadvertently rated the preceding review a 5 when I intended to rate it a 1. It is silly to say it wouldn't be worth repairing an $8,000 camera unless it is only a minor problem because it weighs so much. The 1Ds is heavy, especially with a L quality zoom lens, but it is also very rugged and the images are worth it.

    I considered investing in medium format gear instead but digital is the future and that has to be a factor when investing this much in a system. I also have a Canon EOS 1v 35mm film body and often duplicate shots but rarely scan the slides any more because they just can't deliver the quality of the digital images.

    This is a very versatile camera and no other manufacturer has a better range of lenses. I began with a 60D but missed the very wide angle shots of a full frame 35mm camera. The 1Ds solved that problem. Color balance can be tricky but not hard to correct and the photos are simply stunning. I have printed 20x24 prints on a Epson 2200 with excellent results. I also feel that I have only begun to discover what can be accomplished with this camera, especially after gaining more experience with software and computer imaging.

    Medium format systems are coming out with digital backs and maybe even digital dedicated bodies. Those might surpass the 1Ds but a 12 megapixel image already challenges most consumer level computers. I don't know what additional investment would be needed to handle bigger files and I would question if it is justified unless you were creating building size images.

    The 1Ds is pricey but it is in a medium format league so the relative cost is reasonable. Unlike the prior reviewer, I would get it repaired unless the cost approached a new body.

    Expand full review >>

    Price Paid:    $8000.00

    Purchased At:   B&H

    Similar Products Used:   Canon G1, G2, 60D and Proshot 1 plus EOS 1v film body.


    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Richard Nguyen a Expert from oxnard, CA

    Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003

    Strengths:    Image quality, image quality, image quality, which rivals drumscanned MF 6x7 film/slide. Next is the built quality, which is second to none (sorry Nikon fans). The handling is superb, and the design & menu are simple to use for Canon 1 sreies shooters. The end DOES justify the means in this case, and this camera takes backseat to no other Digital SLRs out there. Canon has done it again !!

    Weaknesses:    Relatively slow burst rate and small buffer for my taste, but the file size is huge so this is understandable. The infamous noise problem is actually WAY overblown, as this camera produce cleaner files than comparable speed films/slides.

    Bottom Line:   
    An outstanding machine, responsive with great handling. The image quality is out of this world, the cleanest digital files with great details (esp @ iso 100-400). A joy to use (and abuse :-).

    Expand full review >>

    Price Paid:    $7300.00

    Purchased At:   Samy's

    Similar Products Used:   D60, 10D, 1D (The Beast I call this camera).


    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by James Lawson a Professional from New Zealand

    Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003

    Strengths:    The ability to fine tune the camera for a specific use.

    Weaknesses:    Has none, to say it has would simply be picky. Some say its expensive for what it does I do not think so.

    Bottom Line:   
    film is dead, We have just done work for a client and the image was turned in a 5m x3m bill board and looked amazing.

    Since the file is so clean, there no rubbish to be magnified, even the bill company was blown away.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   6-10 years

    Price Paid:    $8000.00

    Type of photography:   Outdoor

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by CME2SEE a Intermediate from ARLINGTON, VA

    Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003

    Strengths:    GREAT IMAGES SHOOTING ON "AUTO" MODE.
    STRONG CAMERA BODY.
    BATTERY LIFE IS GOOD FOR 400-500 SHOTS.
    AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY IN PROGRAMING AS YOU CAN THINK OF AND SOME YOU WOULDENT THINK OF.

    Weaknesses:    WEIGHT...WEIGHT...WEIGHT...THIS IS A HEAVY CAMERA...ESPECIALLY IF YOU CHOOSE A 35-350MM "L" LENS.

    Bottom Line:   
    I PURCHASED THE CANON EOS-1DS AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE OBSOLETE NEXT YEAR. I WANTED A STATE OF THE ART CAMERA WITH LASTING HIGH TECH CAPABILITY.

    MY PRIOR CAMERA WAS THE OLYMPUS E-10. ALTHOUGH THE RESOLUTION WAS AMAZINGLY GOOD
    IT REQUIRED ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO OBTAIN GREAT PICTURES.....ESPECIALLY IF YOU USED THE CAMERA ON "AUTO."

    THE BIGGEST PLUS FOR THE 1DS IS IT'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE FANTASTIC SHOTS IN IT'S "AUTO" MODE. ACTUALLY I TRIED TO OUT-PROGRAM THE CAMERA ATTEMPTING TO CUSTOM PROGRAM MYSELF (AND THIS CAMERA HAS AN UNBELIEVEABLE AMOUNT OF CUSTOM PROGRAMING AND FLEXIBLITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS)AND IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE "AUTO" MODE PROVIDED ME WITH SUPERIOR SHOTS. WHAT MORE COULD A CAMERA ENTHUSIAST ASK FOR??? JUST POINT AND SHOOT. BE PREPARED TO WORK WITH RAW IMAGES. I FIND MYSELF SHOOTING AND SAVING BOTH HIGH RESOLUTION AND RAW IMAGES
    GIVING ME THE OPTION OF INTERPRETING THE IMAGES THE WAY I WANT TO.

    IF YOU HAVE THE BUDGET TO ACQUIRE THIS CAMERA....STOP LOOKING !!!! THIS IS THE CAMERA TO BUY...

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

    Price Paid:    $6400.00

    Purchased At:   B-WAY PHOTO

    Similar Products Used:   OLYMPUS C-2500
    OLYMPUS E-10

    Type of photography:   Outdoor


    Reviews 1 - 5 (10 Reviews Total) | Next 15

    Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

    Write a Review >>

    • Image Sensor TypeCMOS
      Resolution11.1 Megapixel
      Camera TypeSLR/Professional
      Interchangeable LensInterchangeable Lenses
      Digital ZoomWithout Digital Zoom
      Focus TypeAutofocus & Manual Focus
      Camera Resolution11.1 Megapixel
      Image Resolutions4064 x 2704 • 2032 x 1352
      Shutter Speed30 - 1/8000 sec
      White BalanceAuto • Manual • Daylight / Sunny (Preset) • Fluorescent (Preset) • Tungsten (Preset) • Shade (Preset) • Overcast (Preset) • Flash (Preset)
      Frames Per Second3 Frames
      Memory TypeCompactFlash Card Type I
      Compression ModesFine • Normal • Uncompressed
      Compression TypeJPEG • Raw Image
      File Size (High Res.)11.4 MB (11 images on 128MB card)
      File Size (Low Res.)1.4 MB (about 91 images on 128MB card)
      ISO Speeds100
      Flash TypeExternal
      ViewfinderOptical (Through-the-lens)
      LCD PanelWith LCD Panel
      LCD Panel Size2 in.
      LCD Screen Resolution120,000 pixels
      LCD Protected PositionWithout LCD Protected Position
      Interface TypeFireWire
      Battery TypeProprietary Lithium
      Battery Life600 Images
      Self Timer2 Sec. • 10 Sec.
      Mp3 Built In
      Built-in MicrophoneWith Built-in Microphone
      Built-in SpeakerWithout Built-in Speaker
      Tripod MountWith Tripod Mount
      Operating SystemApple Mac OS 8 • Apple Mac OS 9 • Microsoft Windows 2000 • Microsoft Windows 98SE • Microsoft Windows ME • Microsoft Windows XP
      Width6.1 in.
      Depth3.1 in.
      Height6.2 in.
      Weight2.79 lb.
      Warranty1 Year
      Included AccessoriesSoftware • Hand Strap • Driver • Battery Charger • Strap
      Release DateNovember, 2004
      Product ID20258153
      Release Date5/28/2004


     

    PhotographyReview Videos



     

    PhotographyReview on Facebook