Nikon D3 has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Canon 1Ds MII has a
17.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Canon 1Ds MII's sensor provides 5MP more than Nikon D3'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 D3 and 1Ds MII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds MII Cameras
Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds MII have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds MII sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark 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. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D3 has scored 81, 7 points higher than 1Ds MII.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D3
81
23.5 bits
12.2 Evs
2290 ISO
Canon 1Ds MII
74
23.3 bits
11.3 Evs
1480 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
Nikon D3
or the
Canon 1Ds MII ,
including hyperfocal distance.
