Canon 1D Mark II vs Olympus E-1

The Canon EOS-1D Mark II and the Olympus E-1 are two professional cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2004 and June 2003. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D Mark II) and a Four Thirds (E-1) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 8.2 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 4.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 1D Mark II		Olympus E-1
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Four Thirds lenses
8.2 MP – APS-H sensor		4.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 100-1,600 (50 - 3,200)		ISO 100-800 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
2.0" LCD – 230k dots		1.8" LCD – 134k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
8.3 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
1200 shots per battery charge		750 shots per battery charge
156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1535 g		141 x 104 x 81 mm, 738 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D Mark II and the Olympus E-1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark II and the Olympus E-1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-1 is considerably smaller (41 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark II. Moreover, the E-1 is substantially lighter (52 percent) than the 1D Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1D Mark II) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-1).

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark II gets 1200 shots out of its Canon NP-E3 battery, while the E-1 can take 750 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLM-1 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1D Mark II has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the E-1, Olympus provides the SHLD-2 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay).

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 1D Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1535 g	1200	Y	Jan 2004	EUR 4 499	ebay.com
2.		Olympus E-1	141 mm	104 mm	81 mm	738 g	750	Y	Jun 2003	EUR 1 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon 1D	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1585 g	500	Y	Sep 2001	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
4.		Canon 1D Mark II N	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1565 g	1200	Y	Aug 2005	EUR 4 199	ebay.com
5.		Canon 1D Mark III	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1155 g	2200	Y	Feb 2007	EUR 4 309	ebay.com
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1230 g	1500	Y	Oct 2009	EUR 4 699	ebay.com
7.		Canon 1Ds	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1265 g	600	Y	Sep 2002	EUR 8 999	ebay.com
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1215 g	1200	Y	Sep 2004	EUR 7 999	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	150 mm	160 mm	80 mm	1385 g	1800	Y	Aug 2007	EUR 7 999	ebay.com
10.		Canon 5D	152 mm	113 mm	75 mm	895 g	400	Y	Aug 2005	EUR 3 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon 5DS	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	EUR 3 499	ebay.com
12.		Canon 5DS R	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
13.		Leica Digilux 3	146 mm	87 mm	77 mm	606 g	750	n	Sep 2006	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
14.		Olympus E-3	142 mm	116 mm	75 mm	876 g	750	Y	Oct 2007	EUR 1 749	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-5	142 mm	117 mm	75 mm	873 g	750	Y	Sep 2010	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-300	147 mm	85 mm	64 mm	624 g	750	n	Sep 2004	EUR 799	ebay.com
17.		Olympus E-330	140 mm	87 mm	72 mm	637 g	750	n	Jan 2006	EUR 999	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The E-1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 62 percent) than the 1D Mark II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D Mark II features an APS-H sensor and the Olympus E-1 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-1 is 59 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 2.0. The sensor in the 1D Mark II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 8.2MP, the 1D Mark II offers a higher resolution than the E-1 (4.9MP), but the 1D Mark II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 8.17μm versus 6.78μm for the E-1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 1D Mark II is a somewhat more recent model (by 7 months) than the E-1, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1D Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1D Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 17.5 x 11.7 inches or 44.5 x 29.7 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 14 x 9.3 inches or 35.6 x 23.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 11.7 x 7.8 inches or 29.7 x 19.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-1 are 12.8 x 9.6 inches or 32.5 x 24.4 cm for good quality, 10.2 x 7.7 inches or 26 x 19.5 cm for very good quality, and 8.5 x 6.4 inches or 21.7 x 16.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 50-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus E-1 are ISO 100 to ISO 800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

In terms of underlying technology, the 1D Mark II is build around a CMOS sensor, while the E-1 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 1D Mark II	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.1	1003	66
2.		Olympus E-1	Four Thirds	4.9	2560	1920	none	20.0	9.7	-145	44
3.		Canon 1D	APS-H	4.1	2496	1662	none	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon 1D Mark II N	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.2	975	66
5.		Canon 1D Mark III	APS-H	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.7	11.7	1078	71
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	APS-H	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	22.8	12.0	1320	74
7.		Canon 1Ds	Full Frame	11.0	4064	2704	none	21.8	11.0	954	63
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	Full Frame	16.6	4992	3328	none	23.3	11.3	1480	74
9.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	none	24.0	12.0	1663	80
10.		Canon 5D	Full Frame	12.7	4368	2912	none	22.9	11.1	1368	71
11.		Canon 5DS	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.7	12.4	2381	87
12.		Canon 5DS R	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.6	12.4	2308	86
13.		Leica Digilux 3	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	21.0	10.6	127	53
14.		Olympus E-3	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.6	10.5	571	56
15.		Olympus E-5	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	720/30p	21.6	10.5	519	56
16.		Olympus E-300	Four Thirds	8.0	3264	2448	none	20.4	10.1	-40	48
17.		Olympus E-330	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	20.8	10.4	73	52
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1D Mark II and the E-1 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the 1D Mark II has a higher magnification than the one of the E-1 (0.55x vs 0.48x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1D Mark II and Olympus E-1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 1D Mark II	optical	Y	2.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3/s	n	n
2.		Olympus E-1	optical	Y	1.8 / 134	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
3.		Canon 1D	optical	Y	2.0 / 120	fixed	n	1/16000s	8.0/s	n	n
4.		Canon 1D Mark II N	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.5/s	n	n
5.		Canon 1D Mark III	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
7.		Canon 1Ds	optical	Y	2.0 / 120	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0/s	n	n
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	optical	Y	2.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	4.0/s	n	n
9.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
10.		Canon 5D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0/s	n	n
11.		Canon 5DS	optical	Y	3.2 / 1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
12.		Canon 5DS R	optical	Y	3.2 / 1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
13.		Leica Digilux 3	optical	n	2.5 / 207	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Olympus E-3	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Olympus E-5	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Olympus E-300	optical	n	1.8 / 134	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
17.		Olympus E-330	optical	n	2.5 / 215	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The 1D Mark II writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SD cards, while the E-1 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II and Olympus E-1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 1D Mark II	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
2.		Olympus E-1	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 1D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
4.		Canon 1D Mark II N	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
5.		Canon 1D Mark III	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 1Ds	Y	- / -	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Y	mono / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 5D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 5DS	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon 5DS R	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
13.		Leica Digilux 3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Olympus E-3	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Olympus E-5	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus E-300	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Olympus E-330	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the 1D Mark II and the E-1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-1 was replaced by the Olympus E-3, while the 1D Mark II was followed by the Canon 1D Mark II N. Further information on the features and operation of the 1D Mark II and E-1 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1D Mark II Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-1 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1D Mark II or the Olympus E-1 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS-1D Mark II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (8.2 vs 4.9MP) with a 32% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.55x vs 0.48x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (230k vs 134k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8.3 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1200 versus 750) on a single battery charge.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 7 months after the E-1).

Advantages of the Olympus E-1:

• More compact: Is smaller (141x104mm vs 156x158mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 797g or 52 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (62 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2003).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1D Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (13 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D Mark II and the Olympus E-1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1D Mark II or the E-1 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 1D Mark II	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jan 2004	EUR 4 499	ebay.com
2.		Olympus E-1	..	..	..	+	o	..	Jun 2003	EUR 1 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon 1D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2001	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
4.		Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	EUR 4 199	ebay.com
5.		Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	..	..	..	Feb 2007	EUR 4 309	ebay.com
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	5/5	..	..	89/100	..	..	Oct 2009	EUR 4 699	ebay.com
7.		Canon 1Ds	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2002	EUR 8 999	ebay.com
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2004	EUR 7 999	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	..	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	Aug 2007	EUR 7 999	ebay.com
10.		Canon 5D	..	88/100	..	+ +	o	..	Aug 2005	EUR 3 399	ebay.com
11.		Canon 5DS	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 3 499	ebay.com
12.		Canon 5DS R	5/5	+	..	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
13.		Leica Digilux 3	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2006	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
14.		Olympus E-3	..	88/100	..	+ +	o	4/5	Oct 2007	EUR 1 749	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-5	4/5	..	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-300	..	..	..	+	o	4.5/5	Sep 2004	EUR 799	ebay.com
17.		Olympus E-330	..	..	..	+	o	..	Jan 2006	EUR 999	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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