Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 80D

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Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 80D

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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.

APS-C 337.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare CANON 5D MARK III vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Canon 80D

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 3.75 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.
5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark 80D test data on DxO Mark

1,815 vs 1,135 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Canon 80D advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Less expensive
$935 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
80D test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.2 vs 11.9 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
9 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
45 vs 15
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
6.8 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
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
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

All 5D Mark II Deals

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Buy the Canon 80D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All 80D Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1085
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Canon 80D

Nikon D3X

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1085
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Canon 80D

Nikon D600

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1085
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Canon 80D

Canon 6D

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D7200

$1085
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Canon 80D

Nikon D7200

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1097
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D7500

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D7500

$1085
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$947
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$947
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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