Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 1DX Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX Mark II.
Compare Canon 1DX Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 1DX Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark III
Compare 1DX Mark II vs 1DX Mark III

Compare NIKON D6 vs CANON 1DX MARK III

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

3780 vs 1210 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 41
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1620k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More AF points
153 vs 61
More AF points improve autofocus
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 409600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Nikon D5

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.
1DX Mark II test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

3,207 vs 2,343 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 12.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
14.1 fps vs 12.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 183 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Read D5 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.
Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.
Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX

$4893
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$5299
35mm

Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 1DX

$2999
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$5299
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$4893
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon EOS-1D C

$2999
35mm

Touchscreen
Built-in GPS

$6989
35mm

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4893
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D4S

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D6

Nikon D5

Nikon D6

$4893
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6500
35mm

Built-in Bluetooth
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D6

$2999
35mm

On-sensor phase detect
Slow-motion videos

$6500
35mm

Built-in Bluetooth
More cross-type AF points

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D6

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark III

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark III

$4893
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$6499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark III

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 1DX Mark III

$2999
35mm

Less expensive

$6499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon 1DX Mark III

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