Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D5

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Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D5

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35mm 864.0mm²
22.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark III.
Compare Canon 5D Mark III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark III conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6

Compare CANON 5D MARK IV vs NIKON D6

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$2299 vs $3325*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lighter weight
950g vs 1415g
Lighter weight

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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

3780 vs 950 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 41
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
9 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
590k vs 348k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More AF points
153 vs 61
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 63 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 102400 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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

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Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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Review Excerpt

Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.
Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.
Read our Canon 5D Mark III Review

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

$2799
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 6D

Nikon D5

Canon 6D

$4911
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2799
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D5

Canon 5D Mark IV

$4911
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$2249
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850

$2799
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Nikon D5

Sony A850

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E

$2799
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

Nikon D5

Nikon D800E

$4911
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

$2799
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

Nikon D5

Sony A99

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A99

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