Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600 — 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 · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D600
66
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Nikon D600 are DSLRs separated by four years, the Canon from 2008 and the Nikon from 2012. Weight matches at 850 g, and the sizes are close, 152 x 114 x 75 mm for the Canon against 141 x 113 x 82 mm for the Nikon. | ||
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 | September 13, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 114 x 75 mm | 141 x 113 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 850 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D600 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects. It offers 39 autofocus points against 9 on the 5D Mark II, giving far more coverage for tracking a subject across the frame, and its 5.5 fps burst runs well ahead of the Canon's 3.9 fps for sequences of action. The lens mounts divide the systems, Canon EF against Nikon F FX, so existing lenses usually settle the choice. Resolution favours the Nikon, 24.3 MP against 21 MP, for more crop room on distant subjects. The Canon answers with a 1/8000 second shutter limit, half the D600's 1/4000 second exposure, useful wide open in strong daylight. Both use a full frame CMOS sensor and the same 100 to 6400 native ISO range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6016 x 4016 |
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 | 24 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. |
3.9 fps045 | 5.5 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 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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 390300 |
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 ComparisonVideoNeither body tops the other for 1080p delivery, with Full HD the maximum resolution and 30 fps the maximum frame rate on each. Both record MOV files, so footage suits the same workflow. For interval work the D600 is the easier pick, offering a built in timelapse function the 5D Mark II lacks, so timelapse on the Canon needs external triggering. | ||
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 D600 carries a built in flash, useful for a burst of fill light on a backlit portrait when no speedlight is packed. The 5D Mark II relies on external units, which both cameras support. The rear screens are nearly matched, both fixed and non touch, the Nikon slightly larger at 3.2 inches against 3 inches, with 920,000 dots on the Canon and 921,000 on the Nikon. Both bodies offer weather sealing, Wi Fi and live view, while neither includes GPS. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
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 | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D600 offers two card slots against one on the 5D Mark II, so a long event day can carry more media without swapping. The Nikon takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Canon uses Compact Flash media. The D600 is rated for 900 shots and the 5D Mark II for 850, a small rated advantage for the Nikon. Each uses its own pack, the EN EL15 in the Nikon and the LP E6 in the Canon, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
850 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For buyers choosing between systems, the Nikon D600 is the better equipped pick for action and event work. Its 39 point autofocus array, 5.5 fps burst, dual card slots and built in flash cover wildlife sequences, sports and wedding days more capably than the Canon.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark II if you already own EF lenses or shoot portraits wide open, since its 1/8000 second limit allows wider apertures in bright light than the D600's 1/4000 second. Otherwise the D600 is the stronger all round choice.