Canon EOS 5DS R vs Nikon D800 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 50.6 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 5DS R
68
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 36.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D800
69
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5DS R and the Nikon D800 are both DSLRs divided by their lens mounts. The Canon uses EF and the Nikon F FX, so the lenses you already own largely decide which body fits directly. Canon released the 5DS R in 2015, three years after the 2012 D800. The bodies measure 152 x 116 x 76 mm for the Canon against 146 x 123 x 82 mm for the Nikon, so each is larger in some directions. The Canon is the lighter body at 930 g against 1000 g, a 70 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 6, 2015 | February 7, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 152 x 116 x 76 mm | 146 x 123 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 930 g | 1000 g |
| Optics | 73/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 5DS R is the stronger choice when you want to crop heavily or print very large, because its 50.6 megapixel sensor captures 14.3 megapixels more than the D800's 36.3. A distant bird framed loosely can be cropped harder while still leaving pixels to spare for a detailed print. The D800 remains generous for its own era and still suits landscape and portrait work at 36.3 megapixels. For moving subjects the Canon is the better-equipped body. It shoots at 5 fps against the Nikon's 4 fps, and its 61 autofocus points outnumber the Nikon's 51. The Nikon reaches further in expanded ISO, 25600 against the Canon's 12800, while both share the standard 100 to 6400 ISO range. Neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
50.6 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. |
8688 x 5792 | 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. |
5 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 FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Digic 6 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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 | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoIf your project needs 4K or slow motion, neither body is the tool. Both cap video resolution at Full HD, and each supports a maximum frame rate of 30 fps. Both offer built-in timelapse recording. The file formats differ for editors: the Canon writes MOV and the Nikon MPEG, so confirm your editing workflow accepts the format before choosing either body. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 | MPEG |
| Features | 59/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D800 is the more convenient body for grab-and-go light and wireless transfer. It carries a built-in flash for a touch of fill light without packing a flashgun, and it supports Wi-Fi for moving images off the camera without a cable. The 5DS R has neither. The Canon answers with a sharper rear screen for reviewing focus and detail: 1040000 dots against the Nikon's 921000. Both screens measure 3.2 inches, and neither is a touchscreen or tilts. Neither camera offers GPS, and both are weather sealed. | ||
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 | 65/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras offer dual card slots taking SD, SDHC and SDXC at UHS-I speed alongside CompactFlash, so you can separate stills and video or overflow a full card on either body. The batteries differ: the Nikon's EN-EL15 is rated at 900 shots against 700 for the Canon's LP-E6. Neither camera charges over USB, so both depend on an external charger and a spare battery for long days of shooting. | ||
| Memory card | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash | 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. |
700 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 5DS R if resolution leads your work. Its 50.6 megapixel sensor suits landscape detail, studio product shots and heavy crops of distant wildlife, and its 5 fps burst and 61 autofocus points help when the subject moves.
Choose the Nikon D800 for convenience: its built-in flash gives spontaneous fill light, Wi-Fi moves images off without a cable, and its 900-shot battery rating tops the Canon's 700. The lens system you already own should make the final call.