Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D5300

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D5300

Leave Feedback

APS-H 525.5mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1D Mark III.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 1D Mark IV
Compare 1D Mark III vs 1D Mark IV

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare CANON 1D MARK IV vs NIKON D5500

Buy From

Differences

Canon 1D Mark III advantages over Nikon D5300

Larger sensor
APS-H vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.23 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.10 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

2200 vs 600 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
19 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/300 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5300 advantages over Canon 1D Mark III

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark 1D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

1,338 vs 1,078 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark 1D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
11 years vs 18 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 19
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1D Mark III

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1D Mark III.
Read our Canon 1D Mark III Initial Test

Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.
AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon T4i

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon T4i

Nikon D5300

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$579
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Nikon D5200

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D5200

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D5200

$549
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D7100

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$810
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon 1D Mark III

Pentax K-3

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon T6s

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

Compare Other Cameras?