Nikon D5 vs Canon 6D Mark II

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Nikon D5 vs Canon 6D 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 861.6mm²
26.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D Mark II.
Compare Canon 6D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Canon 6D Mark II

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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 1200 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 45
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
590k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 45
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 98 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 20 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$1599 vs $3325*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
6D Mark II test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

2,862 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
More pixels
26.2 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read D5 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm IS II USM lens
Kit with 24-105mm IS STM lens

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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

Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.
Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.
Read our Canon 6D Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$4911
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 6D Mark II

Canon EOS-1D C

$1332
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D5

Nikon D610

$4911
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1198
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D610

$1332
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4911
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D4S

$1332
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D5

Nikon D750

$4911
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1698
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D750

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D750

$1332
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1698
35mm

More dynamic range
Internal flash

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4911
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 6D Mark II

Canon 1DX Mark II

$1332
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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