Canon 5DS has a
51.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual DIGIC 6 processor. On the other hand, Canon 1D X III has a
20.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic X processor.
Canon 5DS's sensor provides 31MP more than Canon 1D X III's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the 5DS and 1D X MIII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon 5DS and Canon 1D X III Cameras
Canon 5DS and Canon 1D X III have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Canon 1D X III has 152% larger pixel area (43.29µm 2 vs 17.17µm 2 ) compared to Canon 5DS, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon 5DS and Canon 1D X III sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that 1D X MIII has a better overall score of 91, 4 points higher compared to 5DS's score of 87.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon 5DS
87
24.7 bits
12.4 Evs
2381 ISO
Canon 1D X III
91
24.2 bits
14.5 Evs
3248 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon 5DS
or the
Canon 1D X III ,
including hyperfocal distance.
