• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Nikon D3200

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.41 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,815 vs 1,131 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 540 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3200 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $477 vs $2999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More dynamic range
    13.2 vs 11.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    773g vs 1588g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3X
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D3200
Nikon D600
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Nikon D3200
Canon 6D
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D5200

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D5200
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Sony A58

Canon 5D Mark II
Sony A58
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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