• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D800
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D800 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D700
D700 vs D800
Canon 5D Mark II
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Successor: Nikon D810
D800 vs D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV
General
Model Number: D800 5D Mark III
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.95 $3500.00
Street Price: $1,849.95 $2,079.48
Date Available: 2012-03-30 2012-03-20
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
33.5 oz (950 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 116 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 36.3 22.3
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.88 microns 6.25 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 95 81
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.3 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.4 11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,853 2,293
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.0 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Canon EF
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,044,000 dots (348,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options. Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area) 63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None n/a
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range) 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal Hot Shoe, PC Sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I No UHS support
Other Memory: UDMA7/UHS-I compliant UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional Wired or Wireless
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm) Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.0 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 54 63
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 6.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18 18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 6.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 14 7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.12 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.74 seconds 0.78 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.184 seconds 0.060 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.044 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.061 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 900 shots 950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL15 Proprietary LP-E6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, New EXPEED 3 processor, 91K-dot Matrix Metering III, Improved Auto ISO, Full HD 1080p30 movies, HMDI simultaneous output, Dual SD+CF slots, USB 3.0. New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing.