• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Canon 5DS advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $1299 vs $3930
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    946g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 700 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 41
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 348k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More AF points
    153 vs 61
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 12800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

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.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 5DS
Nikon D4S
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5DS
Nikon D810
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5
Nikon D810
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Nikon D5
Canon 5DS R
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 5DS
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5
Pentax K-1
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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