Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D4 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 21 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
58
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D4
63
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Nikon D4 are both DSLRs of very different sizes. The 2008 Canon measures 152 x 114 x 75 mm and weighs 850 g, the smaller and lighter body to pack. The 2012 Nikon measures 160 x 157 x 91 mm and weighs 1340 g, 490 g heavier with a much deeper body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2008 | January 6, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 114 x 75 mm | 160 x 157 x 91 mm |
| Camera weight | 850 g | 1340 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D4 is the stronger choice for fast action, offering 11 fps continuous shooting and 51 autofocus points against 3.9 fps and 9 points on the 5D Mark II. For sports, news or wildlife, that spread gives the Nikon far more chances to catch a peak moment and much wider focus coverage for tracking a moving subject across the frame. The 5D Mark II wins for detail, with 21 MP against 16.2 MP, leaving more room to crop a distant animal or print large. The D4 answers with a higher standard ISO ceiling of 12800 versus 6400, twice the range before expanded settings. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors and share a 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed. Neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 16.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5616 x 3744 | 4928 x 3280 |
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 36 |
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. |
3.9 fps045 | 11 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 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Expeed 3 |
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. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
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. |
90300 | 510300 |
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 | 43/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor timelapse work the D4 is the easier camera, with a built-in interval timer that lets you shoot a sunset sequence without an external remote. The 5D Mark II needs a separate timer. Both offer Full HD as the maximum video resolution, a 30 fps maximum frame rate, and MOV recording. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
30 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. |
No |  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. |
MOV | MOV |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 5D Mark II is the better connected camera, offering built-in Wi-Fi that the D4 lacks, which simplifies sending images to a laptop or phone. The D4 counters with a slightly larger 3.2-inch screen against the Canon's 3 inches, a little more room to check focus. Screen resolution is effectively a match at 920,000 versus 921,000 dots. Both offer live view, weather sealing and an external flash hot shoe, and neither has GPS, a built-in flash, a touchscreen or a flipping screen. If you geotag location work, you will need an accessory for either body. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D4 wins the endurance comparison on rated battery life, with 2600 shots against 850 for the 5D Mark II. Its dual card slots and support for both CompactFlash and XQD media mean two cards can sit in the camera at once. The 5D Mark II takes a single CompactFlash slot with UDMA support, so there is no second card. Neither charges over USB, so both rely on an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive | Compact Flash, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | EN-EL18 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
850 shots1505000 | 2600 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D4 if your photography is built around movement and endurance. Its 11 fps and 51 autofocus points serve sports and wildlife, the dual card slots hold two cards at once, and the 2600-shot rating far outstrips the Canon's 850.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for landscape, studio and travel work where resolution and portability lead. Its 21 MP sensor gives more cropping latitude than the D4's 16.2 MP, and at 850 g against 1340 g it is far lighter for a day of walking. Wi-Fi helps get images off the camera quickly.