Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

• Bigger pixels
  ~ 8.46 vs 6.41 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• Fast startup
  ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
  Faster startup lets you catch the moment
• 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.

  D3S test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark
  3,253 vs 1,815 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

  4200 vs 850 shots
  Capture more photos
• Shoots 24p video
  Yes vs No
  Gives your movies a big-screen feel
• Dual card slots
  Yes vs No
  Gives you more storage flexibility
• Faster JPEG shooting
  9.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
  Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
• Faster RAW shooting
  9.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
  Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
• Bigger RAW buffer
  41 vs 11 shots
  Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
• Higher extended ISO
  102400 vs 25600 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility