• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Nikon P520

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    75 mm vs 101 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    21.1 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P520 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

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 P520
Nikon D3X
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P510

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon P510
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

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 P520
Nikon D600
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $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 P520
Canon 6D
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P530

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon P530
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
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