DxOMark Rates Canon 1D X Worse than the Three-Year-Old Nikon D3s

DxOMark Rates Canon 1D X Worse than the Three-Year-Old Nikon D3s

The Canon 1D X is the most expensive among the mainstream, full frame, professional DSLRs out there, and its scores on DxOMark aren’t going to help the camera sell…

DxOMark’s tests involve many aspects of the camera and weigh these aspects differently. So in quite a few circumstances, the certainly has an edge. But when talking about pure image quality issues — like ISO, dynamic range, and color depth — the 1D X falls short, almost tying Nikon’s three-year-old flagship while the D4 really jumps ahead in ratings.

DxOMar’s ratings are generally controversial for their ‘overall’ scoring. But what do you guys think? Should Canon have stepped it up for such an expensive camera?

Via Photorumors.com

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http://www.rlmorris.com Lee Morris
Oh boy, here we go…
James Davies
I’ve been a pro photographer for 20 years, 7 years as freelance, switching from Nikon to Canon. I have far too many expensive canon lenses now, to switch back to Nikon – having given this great consideration. I’m more than happy with my 5D MKIII, which seems streets ahead of anything Canon have produced for years. However, I’m in desperate need of a new weather-sealed body to replace my 1D MKIV but i’m loathed to pay a mental amount of money for another half-arsed attempt by canon to catch up with Nikon.
I’ve owned EOS 1D MKIIn’s, MK III’s, Mk IV’s and have always been found wanting for better performing camera’s while my Nikon colleagues have been laughing all the way to publication. I’ve only ever been happy with the 5D MKIII as i’ve said – even the MKII had problems.
You’d have thought that by now having seen the massive flood from Canon to Nikon, the bods at Canon would have stripped and copied a Nikon D3 / D4 to stay in the game.
http://WWW.LIFEASCINEMA.BLOGSPOT.COM SEAN SHIMMEL
Let the wars begin
http://john-godwin.co.uk/ JPGodwin
It’s just a consumer product. If you prefer Nikon, then shoot fucking Nikon, it’s not like anyone who owns one can actually tell the difference between any of them once they’ve been retouched and gone to print. If you can tell the difference, then you should be shooting medium format and not giving a shit which crappy DSLR has a microscopic edge over the other.
The brand-bias on this website is pathetic.
marttphoto
nikon wins, ever!
jusuff12
“….involve many aspects of the camera and weigh these aspects differently”
another clueless comment.. DXO just measures the SENSOR.. get a clue what your talking about.
and happy normalizing…..
jusuff12
yep and it´s obvious that these guys are fanboys…
this says it all:
“….. involve many aspects of the camera and weigh these aspects differently…”
it´s just the SENSOR of the camera.. as if the sensor is everything.
and who would buy a MF after the DXO tests?
it´s just pathethic what this guy writes.
James Davies
“it’s not like anyone who owns one can actually tell the difference between any of them once they’ve been retouched and gone to print”
Not all of us have the luxury of retouching when we’re shooting news and sport in low light against a tight deadline – you can tell the difference, especially when they fail to focus and the noise is poor.
I shoot Canon because i prefer Canon, I just wish they’d work as intended.
http://www.facebook.com/jamesbjenkins James B. Jenkins
The only thing that’s pathetic is you getting this worked up over a sensor review.
Go put your face behind your camera and calm down.
5 years ago, Canon was the clear leader in DSLR. Now, clearly not. It’s as simple as that.
http://john-godwin.co.uk/ JPGodwin
You’ve just illustrated a perfectly rational point; the exact opposite of this article. You require a service that the Nikon performs better. Very different from a typical blanket FStoppers statement of “DURRRR GUESS WHAT GUYZ NIKON IS BETTER *mouth breath*”
http://john-godwin.co.uk/ JPGodwin
Camera-up-to-the-face-self-portrait-guy-I’ve never listened to him before, and today is no different.
http://www.thrashonistas.com/ Anthony Ryan Tripoli
”The brand-bias on this website is pathetic.”
Are you referring to Fstoppers? Not to invoke an argument with you, but if you are referring to FS, you should know at least half of us shoot Canon.
http://www.thrashonistas.com/ Anthony Ryan Tripoli
”yep and it´s obvious that these guys are fanboys…”
If this is a comment about Fstoppers, like I said up above, at least half the writers shoot Canon…
http://john-godwin.co.uk/ JPGodwin
Yeah, not arguing the distribution of camera users, but FStoppers is pretty well known for its slanted support for Nikon. Or maybe the Nikon half are just far more fervent, I dunno.
It’s there though, and, at times, palpable.
http://www.facebook.com/alex.luu.18 Alex Luu
http://youtu.be/0YnhJk4hoq8
this is from a nikon guy
ajmills
Oh boy. Head. Wall. Bang.
When was the last time anyone bought a certain model car based solely on its engine? You take into account other factors such as handling, comfort, fuel efficiency and so on.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
They are all great cameras that can take great images, just some suit some people better than others and stuff.
Oh, what’s the point.
http://www.thrashonistas.com/ Anthony Ryan Tripoli
To be fair, like someone else noted. Canon was the industry leader in the beginning of the DSLR boom, and now Nikon has made some giant leaps.
With all that being said, I think it all boils down to opinion. I shoot Nikon currently and I am looking to switch to Canon because when it comes to edit I like working on the SOOC Canon files more than the Nikon ones… Maybe I am weird, but I use my GF’s Canon more than my Nikon.
In terms of DSLR video though I would say Canon puts out a better file.
At the end of the day it is all personal preference, but when site after site keep reporting Nikon is winning in sensor performance over Canon, we report it. That’s what we do here, we report things found on all corners of the web.
Jr Miller
I’ve said it for 4 years….Canon should work on improving dynamic range, high ISO and auto-focus and forget about the rest of the fluff. Here is the result of not listening to people who use their products despite the fact that Nikon had better offerings on at least two of those three items.
That said..most users, even the ones who claim to be “pros” won’t notice the difference except maybe in auto-focus so why complain.
Matthew Wagg
oh no. Nikon is better than Canon. Wasn’t it a few years back that Canon were better than Nikon? Swings and roundabouts, really though who cares.
I don’t know why you all get so excited about it all. A camera is a tool for doing a job with, not for measurbating over.
cardg
The nikon/sony sensor is better than canon….STOP!!! The quality of jpeg…..the AF,video,ergonomy,speed,etc….glass…. ALL IS ANOTHER THING!!!
SO….I’ve a nikon D3 and i’m very happy….i’ve taken the d800 ( the best sensor in dslr second only to the E version ) for a few months but i prefer my D3 for almost all of my shoot for other reason than the sensor.
Michael Murphy
i was a canon shooter until the d4 and 1dx were announced. i ordered and now own the d4 and an awesome set of nikon glass. i began seeing the DXO ratings and became confused. After my d4 arrived the d800 marks came in higher. and it showed the d4 and d800 beating out hasselblads and other medium formats with canon nowhere to be seen on any top rating. i believe nikon has them in their pocket. don’t get me wront, i love my d4. she’s my baby. but i wouldn’t put any faith in their rating system.
as for who’s who and who’s best? SCREW IT ALL. GET WHAT YOU LIKE, WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD AND GET SHOOTING! screw all the noise. it will only interfere with your creative goals. some of my favorite shots were taken with my dated canon rebel xti!
http://www.facebook.com/miguel.arango.75 Miguel Arango
OMG, DxOMark says the d4 has 7 points more in the overall score than the 1dx¡¡¡¡ i realized canon is sooo way behind now…..
t_linn
The headline is a great one for garnering views…definitely inflammatory. But there is also no question that Canon is making small steps forward with each sensor generation while Sony is advancing in leaps and bounds. People can complain about DXO’s ratings but there is no question that they correlate to real world IQ in most cases. The dynamic range available in D800 RAW files is nothing short of amazing.
Having said that, the sensor isn’t everything. My 5D3′s AF is amazing. D800 owners should be so lucky… ;D
JPatOMalley
I’m blessed to own a pair of D4′s, primarily for wedding photography. The cameras are set to capture each image in RAW and JPEG (two card slots). As important as the RAW files are, the quality and consistency of the JPEGs has reduced my post-poduction workload by two-thirds. In other words, using the D4 means I no longer depend on JPEGs sourced from RAW files to produce superior results. Most amazingly is this machine’s low-light focusing capability and the low noise of images captured at ISO 6400. I’m confident this camera will remain a viable producer for many years.
Bottom line, my experience with the D4 echoes what Rob Galbraith posted in an article referenced in the link below.
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-12721-12406
http://profile.yahoo.com/3S35K5TTCZJ4XJGSUDGXV7T3WU Tomas
Lee Morris why fstoppers so happy then canon gets lower score?
http://twitter.com/AdamOttkePhoto Adam
I posted this knowing — worried, in fact — that everyone would get in a fight, here. But I still thought it was interesting. In no way did I or am I making a comment that this is great news. In fact, it’s probably unfortunate if anything. But what we’re looking at doesn’t matter that much in the end. The point is these are all great cameras. Use what you want, as we all do. Officially or otherwise, we don’t have any preference or bias as a group and don’t try to impose our views or opinions upon others just by stating news, despite what many readers seem to think…
http://www.diegomolinaphoto.com/ Diego
Canon should start buying companies equip with better sensors. This is not making anyone happy.
Iwah
I tell you this, It doesn’t matter what brand it is if you know how to use it. It could be a f****** Iphone for that matter! Brand Fans are stupid, And knowing who’s leading the race Is allways good to know. Keep it up Lee!
Luis Colon
Sony is the the solution.
http://twitter.com/SandyPhimester Sandy Phimester
….. For people once again concerned with #s on a page rather than actually taking photographs. Can we really make the world of photography more boring, anemic and bland? (I realize those are three words that basically, in this context, mean the same thing… but that’s just how stupid this stuff is!) Give it a rest already, I guess that generally just goes out to anyone who actually cares about this stuff. So silly.
MichaelMagpie
Funny to see the Nikon v Canon comments. I have been using a D4 for a little while now and my partner is running with the 1DX…. Both awesome cameras, both happy photographers ! The camera don’t maketh the photographer.
http://twitter.com/MorningRoad Joop van Roy
The only person who seems to be mouth-breathing here is you, my friend.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WZFNDSQFYXL2TP3NP2AVEQV32U RUSS
i keep forgetting DXOmark exists, right up until someone does an article about how they rate a camera against another. Seriously.
I own Nikon equipment. And could care less if canon or nikon is top or bottom of dxomark’s charts and ratings.
http://twitter.com/Jensthetraveler Jens Marklund
Then again, the D3S rates better low light then the D4.
http://twitter.com/Jensthetraveler Jens Marklund
Yeah, about that…
http://www.dslrmagazine.com/images/stories/Pruebas/Son_A99_vs_5D_MKIII/A99_vs_5D_MKIII_compo_AAA.jpg
photographerchrislawrence
I had the privilege to do a personal test two weeks ago with the Nikon D4, D800E and my trusty old Hasselblad with PhaseOne P25 digital back.
Nikon D4(16mp 2012) vs. Nikon D800E(36mp 2012) vs. Hasselblad H2 with PhaseOne P25 (22mp 2004)
For those of you who don’t know me personally I am a huge advocate of Nikon, I am not a Canon Hater!! My very first professional SLR was a Canon F1(35mm manual). I am not going to go into a Canon vs. Nikon war. I want to write more about Megapixels and Sensor Size.
So, my test was very simple. Shoot the same with all three cameras.
Camera settings for all three were ƒ8, 1/125, ISO 200. The Nikons I used a 50mm ƒ1.8(poor mans lense) had I had a 50mm ƒ1.4 I would have used it, but I personally do not think that it would have made much of a difference since I shot at ƒ8. The Hasselblad I used the 80mm ƒ2.8(which is the equivalent to a 50mm ƒ1.4 in 35mm SLR’s).
The Hasselblad/PhaseOne in controled light and/or good light is still by far the best image, yes it is a more costly system, but once you have experienced the quality of Medium Format it is hard think about spending money on a new DSLR. I processed all three with the same perameters in CaptureOnePro 6. BTW I downsized the photos to 3280px high(Nikon D4) in Photoshop so they would be equal in pixel size.
Pay very close attention to the color difference and the sharpness. The red, white, and black flag in the photo is the key. The Hassy really kicked Nikon were it hurts and the technology is more than 7 years old. Yes the Nikon D4 shoots at a ridiculously fast frame rate (I must admit, I started to giggle banging off 11 frames per second full 16mp RAW files).
If I had to choose between the Nikon D4 and D800E, D4 by all means. I don’t like the small camera body of the D800. Shh… don’t tell anyone but I shot a wedding two weeks ago with the D4. Although I am not a wedding photographer, I was really in awe of the image quality in low light situations. My Hassy is not very friendly at 400 or 800 ISO. Click to Open the High Resolution File
note: my latest nikon body is a D2X(12mp 2005)
http://profile.yahoo.com/4SRL4CJIE622IEZWRO7FOWSQDI troy
I didn’t even know that DXOmark existed. I guess I’ll sell all my Canon gear and switch to Nikon. I wish people would stop looking at spec reviews and just shoot damn photos.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=756284244 Jose’ Ravelo
What about this problem on all the new Nikon’s D 7000 , D600 , D800 , D4 ?Nikon is not doing anything about it ; because they know it will bring them down if they
accept it and recall all those cameras.http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/10/d600-sensor-dust-issues
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1333957607 Per Bay Simonsen
I just don’t get it. I once dated a girl, she didn’t have the measurements of a model, but the sex was great!
I thought the important thing in photography was the picture? Am i wrong? If you photograph in dark tunnels and night clubs, go with the Nikon. If you want lightning fast AF, go with the Canon. If you wish to take at great photo, go with what you have. The best camera is the one you have with you, right? :)
Zack W.
Nice community reference, keep making streets ahead a thing!
http://twitter.com/LNSIII Lonnie Shull
Cannon should just start buying their sensors from Sony just like everybody else…
http://twitter.com/LNSIII Lonnie Shull
All that speaks to is the quality of the in body JPEG engine, nothing else.
http://twitter.com/sselvidge Spencer Selvidge
comment deleted by user
EDPstudios
I’ve been shooting with the Canon 1DX for several weeks in a studio and on location and in poor lighting conditions. I’ve owned the Canon 1D, 1D mark II, 1D mark III and the 1DS mark II. The camera is stellar!! Amazing quality image even in extreme low light. The auto focus is the best yet, super fast. I call BS on this review! Anyone who is a working pro using this camera knows its just a stellar camera.
http://photodelux.net Photo DeLux
I’m still shooting my Rebel XTi/400D and classic 5D!… but feeling the technology gap too =)
http://twitter.com/paulpetch Paul Petch
Event the best kit is pointless if you can’t compose a photo. This obsession with the latest and greatest only seems to attract the weekend photographer. Noone can tell the difference once the image makes it to press!
http://www.facebook.com/shannon.wimberly1 Shannon Wimberly
bullsh*t…….
Anders Petersen
Thanks, FStoppers, for this wonderfully insightful article.
http://twitter.com/antodechav Anto de Chav
1DX Autofocus is a beast.. nails it almost every time.. I shoot Nikon as well,the latest Nikon camera’s have tremendous sensors in terms of D.R but some people prefer the canon colour.. Both Canon and Nikon camera’s can make great shots in the right hands..if you want really high quality though,Medium format is still better. at a price
http://twitter.com/antodechav Anto de Chav
I have used hasselblad’s and phase one.. as well as the d800e and 1dx.. medium format is better.. DXO has long been considered a nikon site.. just saying..

DxOMark Rates Canon 1D X Worse than the Three-Year-Old Nikon D3s

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