• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 2,293 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 22.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Nikon D800

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon D800

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark III
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
  • Kit with 24-70mm Lens
All 5D Mark III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 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 D800
Canon 6D
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2799
  • 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 D800
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D800
Sony A850
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800 vs Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III
Nikon D800E
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon D800
Sony A99
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D800 vs Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

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