Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800
56 Imaging
65 Features
70 Overall
67
![Canon EOS 5D Mark II front Canon EOS 5D Mark II front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II.jpg)
![Nikon D800 front Nikon D800 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-D800/Nikon-D800-front.jpg)
54 Imaging
73 Features
80 Overall
75
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
- Announced February 2009
- Superseded the Canon 5D
- Newer Model is Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Introduced June 2012
- Succeeded the Nikon D700
- New Model is Nikon D810
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Canon 5D MII versus Nikon D800, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the 5D MII (21MP) and D800 (36MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The 5D MII was unveiled 4 years earlier than the D800 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the 5D MII grades against the D800 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D800. The full galleries are provided at Canon 5D MII Gallery and Nikon D800 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Nikon D800
5D MII | D800 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Canon 5D MII
D800 | 5D MII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 40 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Nikon D800
5D MII | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 5D MII has got outside measurements of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Nikon D800 has proportions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 5D MII versus Nikon D800 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the 5D MII and the D800.
![Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 size comparison Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D800-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MII and D800 is 56 and 54 respectively.
![Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D800-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D MII and D800.
All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon D800 to offer you extra detail having an extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older 5D MII is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
![Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D800-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D800-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D800 Specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Nikon D800 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Nikon D800 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2009-02-13 | 2012-06-11 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Expeed 3 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 5:4 and 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 5616 x 3744 | 7360 x 4912 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Highest boosted ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 51 |
Cross focus points | - | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF | Nikon F |
Number of lenses | 250 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 850 gr (1.87 pounds) | 900 gr (1.98 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 79 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 25.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.9 | 14.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1815 | 2853 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 850 pictures | 900 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | EN-EL15 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Cost at launch | $1,190 | $2,999 |