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Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500

Portability
55
Imaging
68
Features
74
Overall
70
Canon EOS 5D Mark III front
 
Nikon D500 front
Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Key Specs

Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
  • 22MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced May 2012
  • Older Model is Canon 5D MII
  • Later Model is Canon 5D MIV
Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
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Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the 5D MIII (22MP) and the D500 (21MP) is relatively similar but the 5D MIII (Full frame) and D500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 5D MIII was announced 4 years earlier than the D500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 5D MIII grades versus the D500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Nikon D500

 5D MIII D500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Canon 5D MIII

 D500 5D MIII 
LaunchedJanuary 2016May 2012More recent by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1040kClearer screen (+1319k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 5D MIII and Nikon D500

 5D MIII D500 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 5D MIII comes with physical dimensions of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Nikon D500 has proportions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs).

See the Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the 5D MIII versus the D500.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MIII and D500 is 55 and 56 respectively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MIII and D500.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 5D MIII using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Canon 5D MIII will offer extra detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older 5D MIII is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Portrait photography factors
Nikon D500 Portrait photography factors
80
has manual focus
decent megapixels (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Street photography information
Nikon D500 Street photography information
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (950g)
68
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Sports photography information
Nikon D500 Sports photography information
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (1,240 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Travel photography advice
Nikon D500 Travel photography advice
51
weather sealing
decent megapixels (22 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (950 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
great battery power (1,240 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MIII as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
decent megapixels (22MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (1,240 shots)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Vlogging highlights
Nikon D500 Vlogging highlights
27
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (950 grams)
31
touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIII and Nikon D500
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIINikon D500
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark III Nikon D500
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-05-22 2016-01-05
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5+ Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 22 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5760 x 3840 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 1640000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 61 153
Cross type focus points 41 99
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Nikon F
Total lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.66x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 gr (2.09 lbs) 860 gr (1.90 lbs)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 81 84
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.0
DXO Low light rating 2293 1324
Other
Battery life 950 photos 1240 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $2,780 $1,497