Canon EOS 1D X Mark III vs Nikon D5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.1 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 1D X Mark III
75
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 20.8 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon D5
74
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark III and the Nikon D5 are both DSLRs, so the comparison comes down to capability and generation. The Canon is newer by four years, 2020 against the Nikon's 2016. The Canon is by far the lighter body to carry, at 738 g against 1415 g for the D5, a 677 g difference. The sizes are closer, 158 x 168 x 83 mm against 160 x 159 x 92 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 7, 2020 | January 6, 2016 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 160 x 159 x 92 mm |
| Camera weight | 738 g | 1415 g |
| Optics | 74/100 | 72/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon is the stronger choice for split-second action, with a 20 fps maximum burst against 12 fps on the D5. That higher frame rate gives you more chances to catch the exact stride of a sprinter or the peak of a bird's wingbeat. The 1D X Mark III also offers 191 autofocus points, against 153 on the D5, spreading tracking coverage further across the frame. Neither body holds a useful cropping advantage, as the D5's 20.8 MP sits just 0.7 MP above the Canon's 20.1 MP. Both sensors are full-frame CMOS, and both frame shots through optical pentaprism viewfinders. Their mounts differ, with the Canon on EF lenses and the Nikon on the F FX system, so each builds on its own native range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.1 MP050 | 20.8 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5588 x 3712 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 23.9 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
20 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Nikon F FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic X | Expeed 5 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8192003003280000 | 32800003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1910300 | 1530300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion work belongs to the Canon, which records up to 120 fps against the D5's 30 fps maximum. That headroom slows fast action to a quarter of real speed in playback. Both cameras cap video at 4K resolution. Built-in timelapse is shared, letting either body capture interval sequences without an external controller. Both record in MOV, and the Canon adds MPEG-4 for a broader editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV |
| Features | 74/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBuilt-in GPS gives the 1D X Mark III a clear field advantage, geotagging every frame for wildlife surveys or a multi-day trip log. The D5 has no GPS. Both offer weather sealing, Wi-Fi, live view and a 3.2-inch touch screen for field use and wireless transfer. The D5's rear screen is the finer display, with 2,359,000 dots against 2,100,000 on the Canon, a 259,000-dot advantage in playback and live-view detail. Neither has a flip-out screen or a built-in flash, and both accept external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 23590001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D5 holds the longer rated battery life, 3780 shots against 2850 for the 1D X Mark III, a 930-shot difference. Neither camera charges over USB. Both take two memory cards, but the Canon uses CFexpress Type B and the Nikon Compact Flash and XQD. | ||
| Memory card | CFexpress Type B | Compact Flash, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | EN-EL18a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2850 shots1505000 | 3780 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For photographing fast action, the Canon EOS 1D X Mark III is the stronger choice. Its 20 fps maximum burst outruns the D5's 12 fps, its 191 autofocus points outnumber the Nikon's 153, and its 120 fps video rate opens slow-motion work the D5 cannot approach.
The Nikon D5 remains a sound choice if battery endurance or existing F-mount lenses matter most. Its 3780-shot rating beats the Canon's 2850, and its higher-dot screen shows playback slightly more finely. Choosing fresh, the Canon's speed, autofocus coverage and slow-motion capability carry the greater photographic benefit.