Canon
EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon flagship DSLR for sports and news with 20fps and legendary reliability.
$6,499
Released Feb 2020
Canon
EOS R3
Pro 24MP full-frame stacked-sensor body built for sports, news, wildlife, and high-speed hybrid capture.
$5,999
Released Sep 2021
EOS R3 is 1.6 years newer.
Wins
EOS-1D X Mark III
Wins
EOS R3
7 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BEOS R3 has higher Max video bit rate (2600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BEOS R3 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 191)
- BEOS R3 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BEOS R3 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has lower Weight (720 g vs 1015 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS-1D X Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
EOS R3
150 × 143 × 87 mm
1015 g (2.24 lb / 35.80 oz)
EOS-1D X Mark III is 12mm narrower and 45mm shorter than EOS R3 but it is also 1mm thicker.
EOS-1D X Mark III is 295 g lighter than EOS R3.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS-1D X Mark III · 87mm EOS R3
Sensor size, to scale
EOS-1D X Mark III
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
EOS R3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS-1D X Mark III
✓ more lensesCanon EF
300+
native lenses available
EOS R3
Canon RF
105+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS-1D X Mark III
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only EOS-1D X Mark III supports it
Weight
720 g vs 1015 g — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
16 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 150 frames — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.78 × vs 0.76 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
EOS R3
AF low-light limit
-7.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150, 142.6, 87.2
Max video bit rate
2600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
AF points / zones
1053 vs 191 — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only EOS R3 supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 102,400
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS-1D X Mark III
Pros
- ✓20fps DSLR
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Dual CFexpress
- ✓Excellent AF
Cons
- –DSLR platform
- –20MP
- –Very heavy
EOS R3
Pros
- ✓30fps electronic burst from a stacked full-frame sensor
- ✓Exceptional low-light AF down to -7.5 EV
- ✓Integrated pro body with large LP-E19 battery
- ✓6K RAW video and 4K 120p
- ✓Rugged weather-sealed construction
Cons
- –24MP resolution trails higher-detail rivals
- –Large integrated-grip body
- –Expensive compared with enthusiast full-frame bodies
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, EOS-1D X Mark III or EOS R3?
EOS-1D X Mark III scores 10.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for EOS R3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3?
EOS-1D X Mark III is 20.1 MP and EOS R3 is 24.1 MP, so the EOS R3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS-1D X Mark III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while eOS R3 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS-1D X Mark III or the EOS R3?
EOS-1D X Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic. EOS R3 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3?
EOS-1D X Mark III weighs 720 g and EOS R3 weighs 1015 g, so the EOS-1D X Mark III is 295 g lighter.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3 record 4K video?
EOS-1D X Mark III: 4K up to 60p. EOS R3: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3 weather sealed?
EOS-1D X Mark III: Yes. EOS R3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the EOS-1D X Mark III and 620 shots for the EOS R3, giving the EOS R3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS-1D X Mark III launched at $6,499 and EOS R3 at $5,999. The EOS R3 is $500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.