Canon
EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon flagship DSLR for sports and news with 20fps and legendary reliability.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Feb 2020
Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
EOS-1D X Mark III is 4.1 years newer.
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Wins
EOS-1D X Mark III
Wins
D500
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BD500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1240 shots vs 520 shots)
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareEOS-1D X Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz)
EOS-1D X Mark III is 9mm narrower and 17mm shorter than D500 but it is also 7mm thicker.
EOS-1D X Mark III is 140 g lighter than D500.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS-1D X Mark III · 81mm D500
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS-1D X Mark III
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 115 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS-1D X Mark III
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 81 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS-1D X Mark III
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS-1D X Mark III
✓ more lensesCanon EF
300+
native lenses available
D500
Nikon F
270+
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…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Codecs
Adds RAW, H.265
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only EOS-1D X Mark III supports it
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better
Eye AF
Only EOS-1D X Mark III supports it
Reasons to choose
D500
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds SD, XQD
Battery life (CIPA)
1240 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
EVF magnification
1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Resolution
20.9 MP vs 20.1 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
D500
Pros
- ✓10fps APS-C
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Great buffer
Cons
- –DSLR
- –APS-C
- –No IBIS
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500 at major authorized retailers.
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Nikon D500
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, EOS-1D X Mark III or D500?
EOS-1D X Mark III scores 6.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for D500 — 4K 60p smooth motion.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500?
EOS-1D X Mark III is 20.1 MP and D500 is 20.9 MP, so the D500 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS-1D X Mark III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while D500 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS-1D X Mark III or the D500?
EOS-1D X Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic. D500 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500?
EOS-1D X Mark III weighs 720 g and D500 weighs 860 g, so the EOS-1D X Mark III is 140 g lighter.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500 record 4K video?
EOS-1D X Mark III: 4K up to 60p. D500: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the EOS-1D X Mark III and D500 weather sealed?
EOS-1D X Mark III: Yes. D500: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the EOS-1D X Mark III and 1,240 shots for the D500, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS-1D X Mark III launched at $6,499 and D500 at $1,999. The D500 is $4,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way EOS-1D X Mark III vs D500 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.