• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Canon 60D advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $3390*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon 60D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.30 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
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 22.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,343 vs 813 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 1100 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.72x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    153 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 34 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 5.3 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
  • 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 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 60D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; 3.0-inch, 1,040K-dot Vari-angle LCD is very useful for video and Live View; Sharp 18-135 kit lens with above average zoom range and I.S.; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • Body not as rugged as mag-alloy 50D; AF assist only works when flash is up, though flash can be forced off; Auto-exposure not reliable in very low light; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • 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 Canon 7D

Canon 60D
Canon 7D
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Nikon D5
Canon 7D
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 60D
Nikon D7000
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5
Nikon D7000
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • More dynamic range
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon T3i

Canon 60D
Canon T3i
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
Nikon D5
Canon T3i
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 60D
Nikon D4S
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 60D
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
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