Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D4 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 22.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
65
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D4
63
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Nikon D4 are weather-sealed full frame DSLRs from 2012 with an optical pentaprism viewfinder. Canon builds the 5D Mark III around the EF mount and the D4 around the Nikon F mount, so existing lenses largely decide the fit. The D4 is the larger, heavier body at 1340 g against 950 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 2, 2012 | January 6, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 116 x 76 mm | 160 x 157 x 91 mm |
| Camera weight | 950 g | 1340 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 5D Mark III is the better pick for cropping and large prints, with 22.3 megapixels against the D4's 16.2. For action the D4 answers with 11 frames per second against Canon's 6, nearly double the rate when the moment unfolds. Both use a full frame CMOS sensor and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. Autofocus coverage favours Canon for off-centre subjects, with 61 points against 51. Canon's standard ISO range tops out at 25600 against Nikon's 12800, and Nikon's expanded ceiling reaches 204800 against Canon's 102400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
22.3 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. |
5760 x 3840 | 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. |
6 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 5+ | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 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. |
610300 | 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 | 56/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSmooth motion and slow-motion editing belong to the 5D Mark III, which records Full HD at up to 60 frames per second against the D4's 30. That rate lets you slow footage to half speed on a 30 fps timeline. Both record Full HD in the MOV format for standard clips. For interval work the D4 offers a built-in timelapse function, letting you programme frame sequences without an external intervalometer. The 5D Mark III does not include this, so time-lapse shooters on Canon need a separate timer remote. | ||
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. |
60 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 | 59/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesPlayback detail is finer on the 5D Mark III, whose 3.2 inch screen carries 1040000 dots against 921000 on the D4's same-sized display. Live view on each body covers tripod work and precise manual focus. Weather sealing and external flash support appear on both, and neither has a built-in flash, GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Neither camera tags travel photos with location data. | ||
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 | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 76/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryLong shooting days belong to the D4, whose EN-EL18 battery is rated for 2600 shots against 950 from the 5D Mark III's LP-E6 under their respective test conditions. Neither body charges over USB, so both need a dedicated charger. Both carry dual card slots, but the formats differ. The 5D Mark III pairs an SD slot with Compact Flash, a natural fit if you already own SD cards. The D4 pairs Compact Flash with XQD. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash, UDMA | Compact Flash, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | 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. |
950 shots1505000 | 2600 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark III if your work rewards detail after the shot. Landscape, portrait, wedding and travel photographers get 22.3 megapixels for cropping and large prints, 61 autofocus points for off-centre composition, and Full HD at 60 fps for smooth or slowed video.
Choose the Nikon D4 if you shoot action for a living. Its 11 fps burst, 2600 shot battery rating and XQD slot form a package built for sports, news and wildlife sequences that fill cards quickly. Its built-in timelapse also saves an accessory for interval shooting. If you already own Canon EF or Nikon F lenses, staying within that system is the most practical starting point, since neither body accepts the other's mount.