Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3300

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Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3300

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35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3300.
Compare Nikon D3300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3300 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark III
Compare 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III

Succeeded by the Nikon D3400
Compare D3300 vs D3400

Compare CANON 5D MARK III vs NIKON D3400

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Nikon D3300

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark D3300 test data on DxO Mark

1,815 vs 1,385 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

850 vs 700 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger RAW buffer
11 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3300 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Less expensive
$16 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
11 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
662g vs 1588g
Lighter weight
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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 D3300 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

All 5D Mark II Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3300

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Grey)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.
AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.
Read our Nikon D3300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Nikon D3300

Nikon D3X

$382
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1200
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Nikon D3300

Nikon D600

$382
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Lighter weight

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1200
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Nikon D3300

Canon 6D

$382
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Sony A58

Canon 5D Mark II

Sony A58

$1200
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A58

Nikon D3300

Sony A58

$382
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A58

Compared to Nikon D5500

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D5500

$1200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3300

Nikon D5500

$382
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D5500

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