• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,074 vs 2,381 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 700 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.8 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $1299 vs $4800
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Lighter weight
    946g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Canon 5DS
Canon 1DX
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Canon 5DS
Nikon D4
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
Canon 5DS
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lighter weight
  • More pixels
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D4S
Canon 5DS R
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D4S
Pentax K-1
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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