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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5

Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
79
Overall
73
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Canon 1D X II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 409600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1530g - 158 x 168 x 83mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Earlier Model is Canon 1D X
  • Successor is Canon 1D X III
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Push to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Previous Model is Nikon D4s
  • Successor is Nikon D6
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Canon 1D X II versus Nikon D5, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the 1D X II (20MP) and the D5 (21MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 1D X II was announced at a similar time to the D5 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the 1D X II grades versus the D5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X II over the Nikon D5

 1D X II D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Canon 1D X II

 D5 1D X II 
Display resolution2359k1620kSharper display (+739k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1D X II and Nikon D5

 1D X II D5 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2016Similar age
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 1D X II offers physical dimensions of 158mm x 168mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 1530 grams (3.37 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5 has proportions of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

Check out the Canon 1D X II versus Nikon D5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the 1D X II against the D5.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1D X II and D5 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1D X II and D5.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon D5 to resolve more detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively.

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 1D X II
Portrait photography with Nikon D5
82
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
82
you can focus manually
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X II Street photography information
Nikon D5 Street photography information
61
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average ISO range (102,400)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X II Sports photography factors
Nikon D5 Sports photography factors
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (16.0 fps)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (1,210 CIPA)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (21MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery pack (3,780 shots)
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X II Travel photography information
Nikon D5 Travel photography information
54
environment proofing
offers focus via touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (1,210 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
64
good battery pack (3,780 per charge)
environment proofing
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 1D X II
Landscape photography with Nikon D5
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (1,210 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery pack (3,780 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X II Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5 Vlogging highlights
30
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
30
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Canon 1D X II vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X II and Nikon D5
 Canon EOS-1D X Mark IINikon D5
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Nikon D5
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2016-02-02 2016-01-05
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual DIGIC 6+ Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 5588 x 3712
Highest native ISO 51200 102400
Highest enhanced ISO 409600 3280000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 61 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Nikon F
Total lenses 250 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.72x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 16.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (60p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 50p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1530 gr (3.37 lb) 1415 gr (3.12 lb)
Dimensions 158 x 168 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 88
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 12.3
DXO Low light rating 3207 2434
Other
Battery life 1210 shots 3780 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E19 EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at release $5,999 $6,500