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

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $2999 vs $3789*
    Save money for lenses or accessories

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,343 vs 1,815 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 850 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    153 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 75 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 11 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 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
  • 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 D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
Nikon D5
Nikon D3X
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

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 D5
Nikon D600
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

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 D5
Canon 6D
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D4S
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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