Nikon D3S vs Canon 5D Mark III

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Nikon D3S vs Canon 5D Mark III

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4

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

Compare NIKON D4 vs CANON 5D MARK IV

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 6.25 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
D3S test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

3,253 vs 2,293 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

4200 vs 950 shots
Capture more photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
41 vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D3S

External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Lighter weight
950g vs 1410g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
22.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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
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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3S User Reviews

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Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3S Full Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D3S

Canon 6D

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D3S vs 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

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D3S

Canon 5D Mark IV

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3S vs 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

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D3X

$2079
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More cross-type AF points

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D3S

Sony A850

$5200
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3S vs 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

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S

Canon 1DX

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 1DX

$2079
35mm

Lighter weight
More pixels

$5299
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 1DX

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