Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D780

Cameras
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Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D780

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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
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D780

More cross-type AF points
41 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance

Nikon D780 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

2260 vs 950 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
5 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
786k vs 348k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Longer exposure
900 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 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

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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 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 D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

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 D780

Canon 6D

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780

Sony A850

$1830
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780

Nikon D800E

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$2212
35mm

Internal flash
More pixels

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780

Sony A99

$1830
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A99

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