Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1

t’s a four-way fight to the finish! But which of these sporting giants will be first over the line? We check the specs that count in our Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1 comparison.

Ask any pro which is the best camera for action photography and they’ll say either the Canon EOS 1-D X or Nikon D4s, depending on which side they fall on in the age-old Canon vs Nikon debate.

But there are some key differences in the specs that will make a difference for anyone still working out which way to go.

But do you even need to spend this much money? The new Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1 could change the camera landscape completely because they can match (or even beat) the big guns for continuous shooting speed but undercut them massively on price.

These newcomers do have smaller APS-C size sensors, but sensor technology is improving all the time, so for many users this may not be a crucial factor any more.

Buy the Canon EOS 7D Mark II on Amazon US
Buy the Canon EOS 7D Mark II on Amazon UK
Buy the Canon EOS-1DX on Amazon US
Buy the Canon EOS-1DX on Amazon UK
Buy the Nikon D4s on Amazon US
Buy the Nikon D4s on Amazon UK
Buy the Samsung NX1 on Amazon US
Buy the Samsung NX1 on Amazon UK

So let’s take a closer look at the specifications to see how these four high-speed shooters stack up in our Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1 comparison (see our Nikon D4S review & Canon EOS 1DX)

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 01 Sensor

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: APS-C, 20.2MP
Canon EOS-1D X: Full-frame, 18.1MP
Nikon D4s: Full-frame, 16.2MP
Samsung NX1: APS-C, 28.2MP
It’s interesting to see how resolution (megapixels) and sensor size have almost become disconnected.

The Nikon D4s has a full-frame sensor but the lowest resolution, at 16.2MP, yet most professionals would consider that more than adequate for sports/action/press photography.

Commercial photographers might need more, but they would choose a different camera, for example the 36-megapixel D810.

Nikon has chosen the lower resolution to maximise the D4s’s low-light capabilities.

Canon has also opted for a careful compromise between resolution and high-ISO performance with the EOS-1D X.

The resolution is slightly higher, but the 1D X also has to fill the job of an all-round pro D-SLR in the Canon range.

The two APS-C format cameras – the EOS 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1 – have higher resolutions still.

The Samsung’s is, in fact, higher than any other APS-C camera’s, at 28 megapixels.

This has been achieved with a new and more efficient ‘back-illuminated’ sensor design borrowed from the compact camera market.

The 7D Mark II and NX1 have an advantage for action work in that the smaller sensor gives telephoto lenses a 1.5x effective focal length boost.

These two cameras look like great all-rounders for enthusiasts, but pros are likely to be wary of the ‘consumer camera’ pricing and sensor size.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 02 Maximum ISO

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: 16,000 (expandable to 51,200)
Canon EOS-1D X: 51,200 (expandable to 204,800)
Nikon D4s: 25,600 (expandable to 409,600)
Samsung NX1: 25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
High ISO performance is vital in a camera designed for sports and action, which often takes place in very poor lighting, yet still demands high shutter speeds to capture fast-moving subjects.

Fast professional lenses are one answer, but they only go part of the way to solving the problem. The real solution is a camera that can still deliver excellent quality even at high ISOs.

Manufacturers quote two ISO figures. These are a maximum ‘standard’ ISO and a higher ‘equivalent’ or ‘expanded’ ISO that delivers higher equivalent sensitivities but does not necessarily meet strict ISO measurements.

The EOS-1D x scores an early victory here with a maximum ISO of 51,200, while the Nikon D4s and Samsung NX 1 are a stop behind with maximum ISOs of 25,600. The EOS 7D Mark II lags behind slightly with a maximum of ISO 16,00.

It’s a different story in ‘expanded’ mode, though. The D4s goes higher than all the rest, to an amazing ISO 409,600, while its chief rival, the 1D x tops out at 204,800.

The two APS-C format cameras are another two stops (EV) behind, with an expanded maximum ISO of 51,200.

The full-frame cameras have a clear advantage at high ISOs, which you would expect given their larger sensor size, though sensor technology is advancing all the time, and the two APS-C cameras are still delivering ISO settings high enough for all but the most demanding situations.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 03 Autofocus

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: 65 cross-type sensors/Dual-pixel CMOS AF
Canon EOS-1D X: 61 AF points, 41 cross-type
Nikon D4s: 51 AF points, 15 cross-type
Samsung NX1: 205 phase-detection AF points, 209 contrast-detection points
All four of these cameras have highly sophisticated autofocus systems. The EOS 7D Mark II offers the most spectacular stats, with no fewer than 65 cross-type sensors – these are much more efficient than the regular sort, and normally you’d get just a few.

The 7D Mark II also has Canon’s dual-pixel CMOS autofocus to deliver faster autofocus in live view (and when you’re shooting movies).

This steals the thunder of the full-frame EOS-1D x and Nikon D4s. Both have fast, professional AF systems but, on paper at least, the EOS 7D Mark II is a step ahead.

The Samsung NX1 is not a DSLR, so it doesn’t have a conventional phase-detection sensor. Instead it has a hybrid sensor-based system that combines phase-detection and contrast AF points – no fewer than 414 in total.

Like the EOS 7D Mark II the NX1 is too new for its AF system to have been properly tested by pros, but the results should be very interesting indeed.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 04 Continuous shooting speed

Shot with a Canon EOS-1D X at 1/8000sec at f/4, ISO 800, Auto White Balance

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: 10fps/unlimited JPEGs, 31 RAW
Canon EOS-1D X: 12fps/180 JPEGs, 38 RAW
Nikon D4s: 11fps/200 JPEGS, 104 RAW
Samsung NX1: 15fps/77 JPEGSs, 40 RAW (TBC)
All four cameras are sports/action specialists and they shoot at speeds way beyond those of a regular DSLR. Until recently, the EOS-1D x and Nikon D4s were the undisputed kings.

You had to pay big bucks for these full-frame powerhouses to capture the world at 10 frames per second (or 11/12fps to be exact).

But the 7D Mark II and NX1 have blown that proposition out of the water. The EOS 7D Mark II gives you professional shooting speeds in a regular D-SLR that an amateur can afford.

The NX1 goes a step further. It’s not a DSLR, of course, and the absence of a mirror will help it achieve higher speeds, but at 15 frames per second it’s the fastest of all.

And, like the 7D Mark II, it’s a camera within the price range of an enthusiast.

But how long can these cameras maintain these speeds before the memory buffer is full? JPEGs aren’t usually a problem, but if you prefer to shoot RAW the differences start to show.

The two Canons and the Samsung are pretty much on a par in this respect, but what many people don’t realise about the Nikon D4s is its amazing buffer capacity.

It can shoot 104 RAW images in a burst at full 14-bit quality – and more if you choose 12-bit RAW (still way better than JPEGs).

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 05 Movies

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Full HD up to 60fps, mic & headphone sockets, uncompressed HDMI output
Canon EOS-1D X: Full HD up to 30fps, mic socket
Nikon D4s: Full HD up to 60fps, mic & headphone sockets, uncompressed HDMI output
Samsung NX1: 4K at up to 30fps, full HD at up to 60fps, mic & headphone sockets, uncompressed HDMI output
All four of these cameras are capable of recording  professional-quality full HD movies, but there are still some big differences – and this is where newer cameras show a clear advantage over older models, almost regardless of price.

The EOS-1D x is the oldest of these cameras, and it shows. It has no headphone socket for monitoring sound levels and its fastest frame rate is 30fps.

The D4s and EOS 7D Mark II are a clear step above. Both have headphone sockets, both can shoot full HD at up to 60 frames per second, and both can output uncompressed video to an external HDMI recorder.

But then there’s the Samsung NX1. The Samsung can shoot video in the new 4K format, with four times the resolution of full HD – and, of course, it can shoot full HD too, at up to 60fps.

The NX1 has both mic and headphone sockets and can output uncompressed HDMI, so as far as specs are concerned, it’s got the others beat.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 06 Battery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: LP-E6N, 670 shots
Canon EOS-1D X: LP-E4N, 1120 shots
Nikon D4s: EN-EL18a, 3020 shots
Samsung NX1: BP1900, 500 shots
Battery life may not be much of an issue for regular photography, but it quickly becomes a factor when you’re shooting action sequences.

The two full-frame pro SLRs are the leaders here – the EOS 1-D X can shoot 1,120 shots on a single charge, while Nikon claims a massive 3,020 shots for the D4s.

The EOS 7D Mark II is slightly less impressive, with a rated battery life of 670 shots, and the Samsung NX 1 pays the price for its power-hungry mirrorless design (it has to power its electronic viewfinder, if not the rear LCD) with a battery life of 500 shots.

If you intend shooting a lot of sports/action, you may need to invest in a battery grip for the two APS-C format cameras.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 07 Monitor

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: 3-inch, 1,040k dots
Canon EOS-1D X: 3.2-inc, 1,040k dots
Nikon D4s: 3.2-in, 921k dots
Samsung NX1: 3.0-in tilting, 1,036k dots
There’s little to choose between the displays on these four cameras. Those on the two full-frame models are slightly larger at 3.2 inches versus the 3.0-inch screens on the others, but in practice you’re unlikely to notice much difference.

But the Samsung NX 1 has something the others don’t – a tilting mechanism.

If you’ve never used one you might think you don’t need it, but after you’ve spent some time with a tilting display you start to realise how useful they can be.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 08 Viewfinder

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification
Canon EOS-1D X: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.76x magnification
Nikon D4s: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification
Samsung NX1: Electronic OLED display, 2,360k dots, 100% coverage, 1.04x magnification
The two Canons and the Nikon offer conventional optical viewfinders, and while there are slight variations in the magnification, they all cover 100% of the frame – the 7D Mark II offers 1.0x magnification, which might appear greater, but remember that this is a ‘crop’ sensor so the difference is cancelled out.

The Samsung NX1, however, uses an EVF, or electronic viewfinder. There’s no mirror in this camera, so there’s no focusing screen, pentaprism or optical image for viewing.

Electronic viewfinders may once have been grainy and sluggish, but the technology is advancing rapidly, and Samsung’s 2,360k dot EVF is state of the art.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 09 Flash

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Built in, GN11 at ISO 100
Canon EOS-1D X: External
Nikon D4s: External
Samsung NX1: Built in, GN11 at ISO 100
The two pro cameras, the EOS-1D x and the Nikon D4s, don’t have built-in flashguns.

In the professional market, built-in flash would be too weak and too limited to even be considered, so to use flash with these cameras you’d expect to invest in more powerful external flashguns as a matter of course.

The EOS 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1, however, are designed with the amateur market in mind, where the absence of a flash would certainly draw some criticism.

Both have pop-up flash units with a modest but usable Guide Number of 11 at ISO 100.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 10 Memory cards

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Dual slots: CF, SD
Canon EOS-1D X: Dual slots: CF, CF
Nikon D4s: Dual slots: CF, XQD
Samsung NX1: SD
The two Canon D-SLRs and the Nikon D4s all have twin card slots. These aren’t just to provide extra ‘overflow’ capacity – they can also be used to store duplicate backup copies of your photos as you shoot.

The EOS-1D x has two Compact Flash card slots – a safe and sensible option in the pro market, where most photographers are still using CF cards.

The EOS 7D Mark II, however, has a foot in both camps, with both a CF card slot and an SD card slot. This could be useful to those who’ve got a mixed memory card collection from past cameras.

The Nikon D4s takes a step into the unknown, with one Compact Flash card slot and another for the brand new, super high speed XQD card format.

Will Nikon’s gamble pay off? It’s too early to say, but the D4 and D4s are the only cameras so far to use this card format.

The Samsung NX1 is the laggard here, with just a single SD card slot. It’s not a critical oversight, but it is a black mark when you consider the cameras it’s up against.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 11 Connectivity

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: GPS
Canon EOS-1D X: Ethernet
Nikon D4s: Ethernet
Samsung NX1: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
Not everyone needs Wi-Fi, NFC (near field communication) or Bluetooth, but if you do then the Samsung NX1 is the camera for you.

The EOS 7D Mark II has none of these, which has surprised a few people, but it does have built-in GPS for tagging your images with the location where they were taken.

The full-frame EOS-1D x and Nikon D4s don’t offer wireless connectivity, either.

Instead, you need to invest in external accessories – so the capability is there, just not built in.

Both do have Ethernet ports, though, which is a popular way of transferring images quickly at major sporting venues and other locations with wired Ethernet capability.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 12 Construction

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, 200,000-cycle shutter
Canon EOS-1D X: Magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, 400,000-cycle shutter
Nikon D4s: Magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, 400,000-cycle shutter
Samsung NX1: Magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, 150,000-cycle shutter
Professional cameras have a much tougher life than those used by hobbyists. They shoot all day, every day, often in tough conditions, so they need to be able to stand up to this kind of treatment.

The two full-frame pro cameras from Canon and Nikon have magnesium alloy bodies and seals to keep out dust and moisture – and so do the two APS-format cameras, the EOS 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1

The other factor in long-term durability is the anticipated shutter life. Canon and Nikon say the shutter mechanisms in the EOS-1D x and D4s should be good for 400,000 cycles (shots).

The figures for their APS-C rivals are impressive, but lower. Canon says the shutter in the EOS 7D Mark II should have a life of 200,000 shots, while Samsung claims 150,000 for the Samsung NX1.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 13 Weight

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: 910g
Canon EOS-1D X: 1340g
Nikon D4s: 1350g
Samsung NX1: 550g
The two heavyweights – literally – in this comparison are the full-frame EOS-1D x and Nikon D4s. They tip the scales within a whisker of each other at 1340g and 1350g respectively.

These are big, heavy cameras – though once you add a big, pro-quality telephoto lens, they balance up pretty well.

The EOS 7D Mark II is lighter at 910g, but still quite a substantial camera. The real lightweight is the Samsung NX1 at just 550g.

That might seem like an important advantage, but that advantage will disappear once you start using bigger, heavier lenses for action or sports photography.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 14 Lenses

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Canon EF-S, Canon EF
Canon EOS-1D X: Canon EF
Nikon D4s: Nikon FX, Nikon DX (in Crop mode)
Samsung NX1: Samsung NX-mount
As you would expect, Canon and Nikon offer by far the widest range of lenses. Both makers also offer full-frame and APS-C cameras, and lenses to match.

The difference is that you can’t use Canon’s smaller format EF-S lenses on its full-frame cameras, but you can use Nikon’s DX lenses on the D4 in ‘crop’ mode.

The Samsung NX1 uses Samsungs own proprietary lens mount. The range of lenses available is far smaller, but it is growing.

At the same time as launching the NX1, for example, Samsung also announced a pro-spec 50-150mm f/2.8 ‘Premium S’ telephoto zoom.

Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D X vs Nikon D4s vs Samsung NX1: 15 Price

Canon EOS 7D Mark II: £1,600/$1,799
Canon EOS-1D X: £4,845/$6,799
Nikon D4s: £4,679/$6,497
Samsung NX1: £1,300/$1,499
This is where you see the biggest differences! The EOS-1D x and Nikon D4s cost three times more than the 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1.

To a professional, this will seem like a necessary expense in order to get the image quality, low-light performance and durability they need to do their job.

Even though the EOS 7D Mark II and Samsung NX1 run them so close in terms of specifications, pro photographers will be wary of ‘downgrading’ to a smaller format camera.

But the EOS 7D Mark II and NX1 do put professional performance in the hands of amateur photographers.

Previously, there was no way an ‘amateur’ camera could match the performance of a pro model – the gap was too great.

That has changed. Now it’s possible for enthusiasts to shoot the same subjects as the pros, in the same conditions, and with the same continuous shooting speeds, but without having to pay for a professional camera body.