Canon EOS 5DS R vs Nikon D800E — 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 D800E
69
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5DS R and the Nikon D800E are high-resolution full frame DSLRs with optical pentaprism viewfinders and CMOS sensors. The Canon EF and Nikon F mounts differ, so your existing lens collection largely decides which body is practical to buy. The Canon is the lighter body at 930 grams against the Nikon's 1000, and the newer design, from 2015 against 2012. | ||
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 EOS 5DS R is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and very large prints, with 50.6 megapixels against 36.3 on the D800E. That 14.3 megapixel advantage gives a wildlife photographer cropping a distant heron, or a landscape shooter printing big, more pixels to work with. The Canon also pulls ahead for moving subjects, offering 5 frames per second against the Nikon's 4, with 61 autofocus points rather than 51. The extra frame per second helps with a bride coming down the aisle or children on a beach. Native ISO ranges match at 100 to 6400, but in expanded settings the D800E reaches 25600 ISO against the Canon's 12800, extra reach for handheld night work. | ||
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 |
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 ComparisonVideoFull HD video at up to 30 frames per second in MOV format is the shared ceiling, with built-in timelapse on both. That covers travel clips and behind-the-scenes footage, but neither offers 4K, so a videographer buying primarily for motion should look elsewhere. | ||
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 | MOV |
| Features | 59/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D800E is the more connected camera for transferring files on location, with built-in Wi-Fi that the EOS 5DS R lacks. Sending selects straight to a phone or laptop is a convenience the Canon cannot match. Both skip GPS, so geotagging a landscape trip needs an external solution. The Nikon also carries a built-in flash, useful as a fill light for backlit portraits or an emergency source, while the Canon relies on the external flash units both support. The Canon's rear screen shows more detail, with 1,040,000 dots against 921,000, making focus checks in live view clearer. Both bodies are weather-sealed, and neither screen tilts or responds to touch. | ||
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 BatteryFor long shooting days the D800E carries the higher battery rating, at 900 shots against 700 for the EOS 5DS R under their test conditions. Both take dual card slots accepting SD plus CompactFlash, so a second card rides in either camera. Each uses its own battery, the Canon LP-E6 and the Nikon EN-EL15, and neither charges over USB, so spare batteries and a dedicated charger belong in the bag. | ||
| 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
Buy the Canon EOS 5DS R for maximum resolution and speed: gallery-sized landscape prints, cropped wildlife frames, and studio work where 50.6 megapixels give room to crop and retouch. The extra frame per second and the 61-point AF array support the same assignments.
Buy the Nikon D800E if you already own Nikon F lenses, because the Canon EF mount accepts none of them. Its higher battery rating suits longer shooting days, and the built-in flash plus Wi-Fi make it the more self-sufficient travel and documentary body.