Nikon D610 vs Canon 5DS R

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Nikon D610 vs Canon 5DS R

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
50.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5DS R Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5DS R in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5DS R.
Compare Canon 5DS R image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5DS R conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D610 advantages over Canon 5DS R

Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.14 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.
D610 test data on DxO Mark 5DS R test data on DxO Mark

2,925 vs 2,308 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.
D610 test data on DxO Mark 5DS R test data on DxO Mark

14.4 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

900 vs 700 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS R advantages over Nikon D610

Less expensive
$1499* vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More pixels
50.6 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
61 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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 D610 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 5DS R User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D610

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Body Only
Kit with 24-85mm and 70-300mm lenses, wireless adapter, bag
Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

All D610 Deals

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Buy the Canon 5DS R

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All 5DS R Deals

Review Excerpt

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express Review

Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.
AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.
Read our Canon 5DS R Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Canon 5DS R

Canon 6D

$1849
35mm

More cross-type AF points
More pixels

$1499
35mm

Bigger pixels
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1196
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D600

$1849
35mm

More cross-type AF points
More pixels

$1900
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D610

Nikon D810

$1196
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2246
35mm

Longer stills battery life
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D810

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D810

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$2246
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D810

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1196
35mm

Fast startup

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D750

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$1700
35mm

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon D610

Canon 5DS

$1196
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS

$1849
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon 5DS

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