Canon EOS-1Ds MkIII vs Nikon D3: The ultimate pro DSLR head to head showdown...
Metering and exposure
When it comes to metering both the Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds MkIII have remained pretty much consistent with their predecessors. Canon has maintained evaluative, centre-weighted, partial and spot metering, plus the very useful feature of multi-spot metering, with up to eight measurements possible, a feature frankly I’d like to have seen included in the D3. In addition to matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering, the D3 has introduced a new ‘scene recognition system’, which provides data input for exposure, autofocus and white-balance calculations. In the latter regard I found the D3 more faithful than the MkIII under tungsten and fluorescent lighting. However, under a variety of daylight conditions both systems produced pleasing, accurate colour rendition. Both have six preset white-balance settings, which can be fine-tuned, plus auto and an option to store up to five custom white-balance settings.
Exposure compensation is possible up to ±3 stops in the MkIII and ±5 stops in the D3, both adjustable in one-third stop increments. One innovative new feature in the D3 is the addition of an auto-ISO capability accessed via the shooting menu. Once enabled, it varies the camera’s ISO setting to maintain a chosen shutter speed and aperture combination within user-programmed limits. In programme mode the MkIII only allows shifts of shutter speed and aperture combinations in full stops, whereas this is possible in one-third stops on the D3.
Autofocus
Canon has represented the DSLR pinnacle of AF speed, flexibility and accuracy for many years. The EOS-1D and 1Ds MkII models were astonishingly good in this respect and, despite a modest improvement in the number and dispersal of AF sensors, the D2X was no match for either of them. In the D3, though, Nikon’s designers seem to have grabbed the bull by the horns and addressed the issue, providing a more realistic number and distribution of sensors. To this end the D3’s new Multicam3500FX autofocus system has matched Canon with 51 AF points (the MkIII actually has 49), of which 15 are cross-type sensors.
Nikon D3 continous AF
Canon EOS-1Ds MKIII continous AF
However, mere numbers are not enough to guarantee a first-rate AF system. In situations where the D2X would have struggled to maintain or lock onto sharp moving targets, the D3 has no problems. It is blisteringly fast and reassuringly accurate. I would have no hesitation in endorsing Nikon’s new AF system as the company’s best yet and the first serious rival to Canon in this respect.
Flash
Nikon’s top-of-the-range autofocus Speedlight is still the SB-800. Canon has significantly upgraded from the Speedlite 580EX to the 580EXII. I say ‘significantly’ because Canon has in general brought virtually every aspect of the performance of the 580EXII up to rival that of the SB-800. It has borrowed the idea of the quick release and metal foot from Nikon adding a very clever rubber skirt, which should ensure reliability in wet conditions. Other improvements include improved accuracy of exposure (fill and full flash), increased power throughout the zoom range, shorter recycling times and easy flash compensation settings. In the process the 580EXII has become both heavier and larger than the SB-800, which appears quite diminutive beside it. Nonetheless, tests against a blank surface showed that overall the SB-800 gave a slightly more even flash coverage and generally faster recycle times.
Nikon D3 (with Speedlight SB-800)
Canon EOS-1Ds MKIII (with 580EXII)
Both cameras offer superbly accurate performance in a range of situations without the need for exposure compensation. When shooting literally straight out of the box at a night-time farmer’s market, both gave superb results, exposure was spot-on, rendering faithful colours and excellent highlight and shadow detail, even at ISO 1600 with auto white-balance.
Summary
Of the two manufacturers Nikon has definitely upped its game the most. 12.1-megapixels is not special these days but these, albeit limited, tests indicate that the D3 is as good, if not better, than the MkIII when it comes to sheer resolving power. Its AF is equal to the MkIII and its flash system is as good as ever. In terms of other features, it’s pretty neck and neck.
So, if I was a Canon-user would I switch? Unlikely. The EOS-1Ds MkIII is still a great camera, and performs well. I’m just not sure whether it’s worth £2000 more than the D3. However, if I was a pro looking to invest in a system then I would have no hesitation in spending my hard-earned cash on a Nikon D3. Thanks to its comprehensive feature list and stunning performance, in this test the Nikon D3 is the winner.
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