• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon S6900

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    348k vs 115k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    22.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S6900 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    181g vs 950g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6900

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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S6900
Canon 6D
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon S6900
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon S6900
Sony A850
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III
Nikon D800E
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon S6900
Nikon D800E
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon S6900
Sony A99
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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