Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D5200

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Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D5200

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5200.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300

Compare CANON 5D MARK IV vs NIKON D5300

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D5200

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.25 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 III test data on DxO Mark D5200 test data on DxO Mark

2,293 vs 1,284 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

950 vs 500 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
41 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
61 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
18 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D5200 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Less expensive
$500 vs $2299
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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.
D5200 test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 63 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5200 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

Body Only

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

All 5D Mark III Deals

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Buy the Nikon D5200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Kit with 18-55mm Lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-105mm Lens
Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D5200 Deals

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

Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.
Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.
Read our Nikon D5200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

$2079
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 D5200

Canon 6D

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

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

Nikon D5200

Canon 5D Mark IV

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Nikon D5200

Sony A850

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D3200

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D3200

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E

$2079
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

Nikon D5200

Nikon D800E

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Has anti-aliasing filter

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D800E

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