Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D4s — 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 D4s
62
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Nikon D4s are both full-frame DSLRs, but they answer different shooting demands. The 2012 Canon uses the EF mount, while the 2014 Nikon uses the Nikon F FX mount, so your existing lens collection largely decides which body is practical. Neither lens fits the other mount directly. The D4s is the bigger, heavier build. It measures 160 x 157 x 91 mm and weighs 1350 g, against 152 x 116 x 76 mm and 950 g for the 5D Mark III, a 400 g difference. That smaller Canon body occupies less space in a travel bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 2, 2012 | February 25, 2014 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 116 x 76 mm | 160 x 157 x 91 mm |
| Camera weight | 950 g | 1350 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 5D Mark III is the stronger choice when you want room to crop. Its 22.3 megapixel sensor gives you more pixels to work with than the D4s at 16.2 megapixels, which helps when a distant subject fills only part of the frame. It also offers 61 autofocus points, against 51 on the Nikon. For fast action, the D4s is the better pick. It shoots at up to 11 frames per second, compared with 6 on the Canon, capturing more of a sprint finish or a bird taking off. Both use a CMOS sensor in the full-frame format and share the same 100 to 25600 native ISO range. | ||
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 FX |
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 4 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 4096003003280000 |
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 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD is the maximum video resolution on both cameras, so neither body gives you extra cropping room in your video edits. Both also offer a 60 fps maximum video frame rate and record in MOV files. The D4s adds a built-in timelapse function, letting you create interval sequences directly in camera. The 5D Mark III offers no built-in timelapse option. | ||
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 | 60 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 ComparisonFeaturesThe 5D Mark III offers the sharper rear display for checking focus and detail on the spot. Its 3.2 inch TFT LCD carries 1,040,000 dots, against 921,000 dots on the D4s screen of the same size, so fine detail renders with more clarity during playback review. The D4s supports Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer to a connected device, while the Canon has no built-in wireless option. Both offer weather sealing, live view and external flash support, and neither has GPS, a touch screen or a flipping screen. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 BatteryThe D4s is the clear choice for a long day of shooting away from power. Its EN-EL18a battery is rated at 3020 shots under its test conditions, against 950 shots for the 5D Mark III's LP-E6, a large stamina gap for a full sports or wildlife event. Both cameras have dual card slots, but they take different media. The Canon pairs SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with Compact Flash, while the Nikon pairs Compact Flash with XQD. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash, UDMA | Compact Flash, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | EN-EL18a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
950 shots1505000 | 3020 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D4s if speed and endurance drive your work. Its 11 fps burst, 3020-shot battery rating, XQD slot and built-in timelapse make it the practical camera for sports, news and wildlife photographers shooting long sessions.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for landscape, portrait and travel work where detail matters. Its 22.3 megapixel sensor gives more cropping room, and its 1,040,000-dot rear screen shows finer detail when you check critical focus.