Canon 1DX Mark II vs 5D Mark IV image quality

• 35mm 864.0mm2
• 20.2 megapixels
• ISO 100 - 51,200

• Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Mark II Review.
• How does it shoot? Canon 1DX Mark II in the real world.
• See real-world photos taken with the 1DX Mark II.
• Compare Canon 1DX Mark II image quality against competitors.
• What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 1DX Mark II conclusion.

• 35mm 864.0mm2
• 30.4 megapixels
• ISO 100 - 32,000

• Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
• How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
• See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
• Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
• What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

• Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark III
• Compare 1DX Mark II vs 1DX Mark III
• Compare Canon 1DX Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Buy From

• Adorama.com
• Amazon.com
• B&H

• Adorama.com
• Amazon.com
• B&H

Differences

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

• Bigger pixels

  ~ 6.58 vs 5.36 microns

  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

• Longer stills battery life

  More info

  Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

  Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

  1210 vs 900 shots

  Capture more photos

• Faster JPEG shooting

  14.0 fps vs 7.0 fps

  Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

• Faster RAW shooting

  14.1 fps vs 7.0 fps

  Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

• Bigger RAW buffer

  Unlimited vs 19 shots

  Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

• Higher extended ISO

  409600 vs 102400 ISO

  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

• Less expensive

  $3249 vs $6299

  Save money for lenses or accessories

• Fast startup

  ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec

  Faster startup lets you catch the moment

• Built-in Wi-Fi

  Wi-Fi vs None

  Share your photos wirelessly

• NFC

  Yes vs No

  Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones

• Lighter weight

  890g vs 1544g

  Lighter weight

• More pixels

  30.4 vs 20.2 megapixels

  Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

• Eye-level viewfinder

  Both provide

  You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out

• Shoot 4K video

  Both provide

  Make sure you have a fast computer

• Touchscreen

  Both provide

  Interact with your camera just like your smartphone

• Built-in GPS

  Both provide

  Geotag your photos

• On-sensor phase detect

  Both provide

  Usually improves live view and video AF performance

• Top deck display

  Both provide

  Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

• External Mic Jack

  Both provide

  Improved sound fidelity when shooting video

• Pentaprism viewfinder

  Both provide

  Much better viewfinder picture fidelity

• HDMI out

  Both provide

  Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

• Hot shoe

  Both provide

  Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

• Dual card slots

  Both provide

  Gives you more storage flexibility

• Headphone jack

  Both provide

  Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

• Bulb shutter

  Both provide

  Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

• Slow-motion videos

  Both provide

  Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

• Focus peaking

  Neither provide

  Your camera will highlight what's in focus

• Tilt-swivel screen

  Neither provide

  Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility

• In-Camera Image Stabilization

  Neither provide

  Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

• In-camera panoramas

  Neither provide

  Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo

• Tiltable Screen

  Neither provide

  Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility

• Built-in Bluetooth

  Neither provide

  Always-on wireless connectivity

• Internal flash

  Neither provide

  Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

• Amazon
• Adorama
• Read 1DX Mark II User Reviews

• Amazon
• Adorama
• Read 5D Mark IV User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1DX Mark II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

• Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

• Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

• Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

• Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

• JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

• Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D5