Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D800

Nikon D800 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

• 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.

  D800 test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark
  2,853 vs 1,815 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.

  D800 test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark
  14.4 vs 11.9 evs
  Retain detail in highlight and shadows
• Internal flash
  Internal flash vs None
  Useful in a pinch for fill flash
• More cross-type AF points
  15 vs 1
  Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
• Shoots 24p video
  Yes vs No
  Gives your movies a big-screen feel
• More pixels
  36.3 vs 21.1 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• Shoots 60p video
  Yes vs No
  A faster framerate can give you more editing options
• Dual card slots
  Yes vs No
  Gives you more storage flexibility
• More AF points
  51 vs 15
  More AF points improve autofocus
• Headphone jack
  Yes vs No
  Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
• Bigger RAW buffer
  18 vs 11 shots
  Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)