Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 22.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
65
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 36.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D800E
69
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800E are both 2012 full-frame DSLRs, so the first decision is which lens system to build around. The 5D Mark III uses the Canon EF mount and the D800E the Nikon F mount, so neither body fits the other brand's lenses. The D800E is the heavier body at 1000 g against 950 g, a difference of 50 g. It measures 146 x 123 x 82 mm against 152 x 116 x 76 mm, so the two bodies occupy slightly different space in a bag. | ||
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 | February 7, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 116 x 76 mm | 146 x 123 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 950 g | 1000 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D800E is the stronger choice for landscape, studio and architecture work you will crop or print large. Its 36.3 megapixel sensor captures 62.8 percent more pixels than the 5D Mark III's 22.3, leaving more room to crop distant subjects or push big prints. The 5D Mark III is the better fit for action, shooting at 6 fps against 4 fps with 61 autofocus points against 51. Its native ISO range also reaches 25600 against 6400. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, share a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and have no in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
22.3 MP050 | 36.3 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 | 7360 x 4912 |
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. |
6 fps045 | 4 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 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 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 | 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 ComparisonVideoNeither camera offers 4K, as Full HD in MOV format is the ceiling for both. The 5D Mark III is the better pick for motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 on the D800E, giving smoother action footage and more slow-motion headroom at half-speed playback. The D800E counters with built-in timelapse recording, which the 5D Mark III lacks. For unattended shoots such as a sunset or a building project, that convenience matters more than the frame-rate gap. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesThe D800E is the more self-sufficient camera for travel, with built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer and a built-in flash for quick fill light. The 5D Mark III offers neither, though both accept external flash units. Both have a 3.2-inch fixed, non-touch LCD with live view. The 5D Mark III's screen shows finer detail at 1,040,000 dots against 921,000, a difference of 119,000 dots. | ||
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 | 3.2" | 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 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth pair a CompactFlash slot with an SD slot, so you can separate stills and video or keep a spare card in the body. The D800E's SD slot supports UHS-I cards for faster SD speeds than the 5D Mark III's SD slot. The 5D Mark III's LP-E6 battery is rated at 950 shots against 900 for the D800E's EN-EL15, a gap of 50 shots under their test conditions. Neither charges over USB, and the different battery types mean spares and chargers stay brand-specific. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash, UDMA | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | 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. |
950 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D800E if your work is resolution-led: landscapes, studio products and architecture you will crop, print large or stitch into panoramas all benefit from its 36.3 megapixels. Built-in Wi-Fi, flash and timelapse also suit travel and unattended projects.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for weddings, sports and events, where 6 fps, 61 autofocus points and a native ISO range reaching 25600 cover fast movement and dim venues. Both are 2012 full-frame DSLRs with dual card slots and weather sealing, so the lens system you prefer deserves real weight.