Nikon D800 vs Canon 5d Mark III

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Now that the Canon 5d Mark III has been announced there are undoubtedly some people who are deciding between it and the D800. Here's a quick spec comparison...

Nikon-D800-vs-Canon-5D-Mark-III.jpg

FeatureCanon 5d Mark IIINikon D800
Price (body only)$3,500$3,000
Resolution22.3mp36.3mp
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Sensor Size36.0mm x 24.0mm (Full Frame)35.9mm x 24.0mm (FX)
Max image size5,784x3,8567,360x4,912
Viewfinder100%100%
Viewfinder magnification0.71x0.70x
ISO100-25,600100-6,400
Expanded ISO50, 51,000-102,40050, 12,800-25,600
Max FPS64 (6 in DX mode w/ grip)
Crop modeNoNikon DX
Video resolution1080p (24/25/30)720p (24/25/30/60)480 (25/30)1080p (24/25/30)720p (25/30/50/60)480 (24)
Continuous Video (at highest setting)32min20min
Uncompressed video outputNoYes (HDMI)
Autofocus61 points51 points
Cross-type points4115
AF detectionup to f/5.6up to f/8 (9 cross type sensors)
Exposure MeteringiFCL w/ 63 zone dual-layer sensor3d color matrix metering III
Face detectionNoYes
RGB Sensor100,000 pixel91,000 pixel
Display3.2" (1,040,000 pixels)3.2" (921,000 pixels)
Built-in flashNoYes
MediaCF & SDCF & SD
Programmable Buttons02
USB2.03.0
HDMIYesYes
WirelessYesYes (WT-4a & eye-fi)
GPS supportYesYes
ProcessorDigic 5+Expeed 3
Shutter durability150,000 cycles200,000 cycles
Battery Life (shots/charge)950900
Weight30.4oz / 860g31.7oz / 900g
Dimensions6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0in. (152.0 x 116.4 x 76.4mm)5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2in. (144.78 x 121.92 x 81.28mm)
 

bobmielke

New member
As with any two competitor's cameras existing lenses owned by the shopper enters into the equation. The crop factor setting, facial recognition and higher resolution combine as an attractive package for those that lean toward the Nikon brand. The higher frame rate and higher ISO use are favorable to Canon users who may shoot sports. Since I own a lot of good Nikon DX glass I'm going with the D800. The extra $500 savings went toward a partial payment of a 24-70mm F/2.8 FX lens.
 

DW_

Senior Member
No contest, Nikon wins every time. There are those who exercise good political correctness and say it's a wash and either one will be fine but the truth of the matter is Nikon is superior in both their technology and their glass production. Cannon makes good cameras and lenses, no doubt about it, but Nikon is simply better.
 

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
I'm not in the market for a new camera, but I like these competitive comparisons. In this particular case, it confirms my choice to shoot Nikon. Thanks.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
No contest, Nikon wins every time. ......


Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't think that is the case.

Here are some of the key features that in my opinion, swing it for Canon:

• Higher ISO
• Higher FPS
(for Nikon, you have to spend HUNDREDS MORE for a grip, switch down from FX to DX to get the same FPS! FAIL)
• Substantially better Expanded ISO
- although I will be honest, I would never shoot 50K-100K ISO unless I was desperate for the image, but hey, it is here as a feature!)
• More Points of Autofocus for Canon

These are some, not so key features (for me) where Canon is better:

• Continuous video time (Canon is longer)
• Battery Life (Canon is slightly longer)

Some KEY features Nikon has over Canon is the expected Shutter life of 200,000 cycles

• I take about 10K pictures a year and this translates into 4-5 years of more use!

• this one is excellent for Nikon.... USB3.0 .... this substantially decreases image/video transfer rates and this is a must today, I am surprised Canon fell asleep at the switch on this.

• Higher resolution (I will wait and see if this is that noticable)

• DX/FX for Nikon, Canon is only FX

• HDMI compressed output for Nikon, but this is a Camera to me not a camcorder, great feature, not important to me. Both have HDMI recording. Important to a press guy maybe who has to upload fast.

Canon also has Built-in HDR mode for 3 images. I like this. I have not read, or missed it, if the D800 has this feature.

I am a hard core Nikon fan, but you have to explain to me how NIKON wins here every time? In no way, do I consider the trade offs here a wash. For the features I think are important, I would say Canon has it for $500 more.

Would I change over for the slight difference.... NO.

Do I personally think that Nikon is the big spec winner here, the answer is NO as well. For the key features I like, Canon has the edge.

However, I will reserve total judgement until I can see images side by side, for both cameras, but I suspect that will be a wash.
 
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Canikon

New member
No contest, Nikon wins every time. There are those who exercise good political correctness and say it's a wash and either one will be fine but the truth of the matter is Nikon is superior in both their technology and their glass production. Cannon makes good cameras and lenses, no doubt about it, but Nikon is simply better.

True fanboy speak.

I personally think that Nikon may have a winner with the D800. However, if both cameras deliver on their promise, the MIII will have some features (e.g., better low-light performance, better continuous shooting) that might prompt some Nikon users to think about switching.

However, your statement about glass is totally off base. Nikon has the 14-24mm that Canon has no answer for, but Canon has those great Tilt/shift lenses. Mid-normal range, both companies' lenses are competitive. Nikon may have the better zoom, but Canon has a (slight) edge in primes. In the telephoto area Nikon trails substantially. The 70-200 2.8 is excellent, but still trails Canon's offering. On top of that Canon lets photographers avoid the bulk–and both 2.8 zooms are behemoths–by offering f/4 lenses and the cost by offering non-IS versions. Oh, and did I mention Canon's superb new 70-300L lens? Where are Nikon's answers to these offerings?

So, please keep the over-the-top fanboyism in check. The D800, if it delivers, will be a great camera, and I might buy it. But what may hold me back are Canon's excellent lens offerings.
 
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Dr Daniels

Senior Member
What I like about that 5Dmk3 is the possibility to trigger strobes with its built-in radio transmitter, which justify the absence of this useless pop-up flash that I always have to raise on my D700 when I want to setup multiple strobes off-camera.

However, this 5Dmk3 brings a bit of confusion as to whether the 1dX is really worth the investment over the cheaper and quite attractive 5D.
I think Nikon has clearly differentiated the D800 over the D4.

When it comes to compare Canon lenses over Nikon lenses, it's a bit of a hair splitting thingy really. Both are extremely good, but Nikon is generally more expensive on pro lenses.

Then for sensors performance, DxOMark seems to rate Nikon's sensors a lot higher than Canon. Let see how the D800 and 5Dmk3 will perform in that test.
Please look at this Camera Sensor Ratings for details: DxOMark - Camera Sensor Ratings (Canon's best DSLR only comes at 10th position, behind 4 Nikon DSLRs - the D700 having the same score as the 1Ds Mk3 / The Canon 5Dmk2 comes at 15th position, below the Nikon D5100!!!!)

In Dynamic range, Canon sensors score pretty bad according to DXOMark.
 
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DW_

Senior Member
True fanboy speak.

I personally think that Nikon may have a winner with the D800. However, if both cameras deliver on their promise, the MIII will have some features (e.g., better low-light performance, better continuous shooting) that might prompt some Nikon users to think about switching.

However, your statement about glass is totally off base. Nikon has the 14-24mm that Canon has no answer for, but Canon has those great Tilt/shift lenses. Mid-normal range, both companies' lenses are competitive. Nikon may have the better zoom, but Canon has a (slight) edge in primes. In the telephoto area Nikon trails substantially. The 70-200 2.8 is excellent, but still trails Canon's offering. On top of that Canon lets photographers avoid the bulk–and both 2.8 zooms are behemoths–by offering f/4 lenses and the cost by offering non-IS versions. Oh, and did I mention Canon's superb new 70-300L lens? Where are Nikon's answers to these offerings?

So, please keep the over-the-top fanboyism in check. The D800, if it delivers, will be a great camera, and I might buy it. But what may hold me back are Canon's excellent lens offerings.

Ha ha, you're funny!
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
A deal breaker for a lot of people is obviously going to be the $500 price difference. Not to mention the D800 has more updates when compared to the D700 than the Mk III vs Mk II. The Mk III also uses the 7d (older) metering system, where the D800 uses the same system that the D4 has.

To each their own though. The differences are splitting hairs. Someone who already has a lot of Canon glass isn't going to simply jump ship to Nikon.
 

bobmielke

New member
My bottom line is I don't care what you drive, ride or shoot. The D800 is right for me so it's not a contest, status symbol or Red Badge of Courage. :)
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I would like to share this combined list that was generated from other forums who uses both Nikon and Canon equipment. Take this with a grain of salt and this is very much subjective.

Pro metering system taken from the D4
Option to shoot without antialiasing filter
Digital zoom in video mode
MP4 video
Focuses at F8 with extenders
Video real time focus (not so great though, saw it demoed)
Images can be saved in Tiff
Can shoot in cropped format
Weather/dust sealing
More rugged body
Uncompressed hdmi out
6 additional WB presets
Facial detection/contrast detection
Dynamic ambient light sensor that adjust saturation, color, brightness
Proven professional AF identical to the pro level D4
50,000 more shutter actuations
14 more MP
Built in intravolometer for time lapse video
$500 less
On-camera focus assist light
Built-in flash with remote trigger functions
Flash sync speed 1/250
Usb 3
More versatile self-timer options
Interchangeable focus screens

Source:
Canon Digital Photography Forums - View Single Post - Who's making the switch to Nikon / D800
 

DW_

Senior Member
My bottom line is I don't care what you drive, ride or shoot. The D800 is right for me so it's not a contest, status symbol or Red Badge of Courage. :)

I dunno Bob, looking at the Nikon ads it appears hot babes dig guys with the D800, especially the 800E! I mean, that's the reason I'm buying one! :p
 

bobmielke

New member
Well if I pay 3 grand or whatever for a camera body and I have to send it back to Nikon two or three times like many people have had to do with the D7000 I think that would sour me on the new Nikons...

It's funny how you only hear the bad stories. I've had a D7000 since their release and report a perfect camera that gets used a lot. :)
 

Eye-level

Banned
Oh no...I don't only see bad things with the D7000...I've said a whole bunch of good things about the D7000 too...it is a fantastic camera and I would love to have one for the ISO performance. The fact of the matter is a bunch of people HAVE HAD problems with them...

Like I was saying I sure hope your high dollar D800 comes in shooting like your D7000 did because if it doesn't...if it won't focus right or whatever the issue may be...I imagine you are going to be p!ssed if you have to send it back to Nikon two or three times!
 

bobmielke

New member
Oh no...I don't only see bad things with the D7000...I've said a whole bunch of good things about the D7000 too...it is a fantastic camera and I would love to have one for the ISO performance. The fact of the matter is a bunch of people HAVE HAD problems with them...

Like I was saying I sure hope your high dollar D800 comes in shooting like your D7000 did because if it doesn't...if it won't focus right or whatever the issue may be...I imagine you are going to be p!ssed if you have to send it back to Nikon two or three times!

In the past 5 years I've had to return a 55-200mm kit lens that came bundled with my D40X. It wouldn't auto-focus right out of the box. Nikon repaired it at no charge. One of the things I admire about Nikon is the way they warranty their products. There are some sophisticated electronics in today's modern camera and as a retired electronics troubleshooter with 42 years of field experience I can attest that stuff drops dead for no apparent reason. USA warranted lenses are good for 5 years. The more expensive the camera/lens the more important the warranty. I'm also grateful that I have the D7000 as a back-up.
 
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