Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

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Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

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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 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D800E Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D800E.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D810
Compare D800E vs D810

Compare CANON 5D MARK IV vs NIKON D810

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D800E

Bigger pixels
~ 6.25 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D800E advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.5 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.
D800E test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

2,979 vs 2,293 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.
D800E test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

14.3 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
36.3 vs 22.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D800E User Reviews

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Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Buy the Nikon D800E

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

Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution, even more than the D800; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.
Moire problem with certain subjects; Very large files; Slower frame rate; Battery life lower than D700.
Read our Nikon D800E 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 D800E

Canon 6D

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Bigger pixels
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D800E vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

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

Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Internal flash

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D800E 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 D800E

Sony A850

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800E vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800

$2079
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800

Nikon D800E

Nikon D800

$2212
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D800

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

Nikon D800E

Sony A99

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D800E vs Sony A99

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