Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark II

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Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark II

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D700 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D700.

35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

Succeeded by the Nikon D800
Compare D700 vs D800

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

Compare NIKON D800 vs CANON 5D MARK III

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Differences

Nikon D700 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 6.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
D700 test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

2,303 vs 1,815 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
51 vs 15
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Nikon D700

External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
21.1 vs 12.1 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
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D700 User Reviews

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Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D700 Review

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D700

Sony A900

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A900

Canon 5D Mark II

Sony A900

$1095
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A900

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D700

Sony A850

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark II

Sony A850

$1095
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D700

Nikon D3S

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Internal flash

$5200
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3S

$1095
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D700

Nikon D600

$3000
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1095
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D700

Canon 6D

$3000
35mm

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D700 vs Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1095
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

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