Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80
55 Imaging
67 Features
74 Overall
69


62 Imaging
48 Features
36 Overall
43
Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 22MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
- Revealed May 2012
- Older Model is Canon 5D MII
- Renewed by Canon 5D MIV
(Full Review)

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Overview
Below, we will be matching up the Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the 5D MIII (22MP) and D80 (10MP) and the 5D MIII (Full frame) and D80 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

The 5D MIII was unveiled 5 years later than the D80 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 5D MIII scores versus the D80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D80. The full galleries are available at Canon 5D MIII Gallery and Nikon D80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Nikon D80
5D MIII | D80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | May 2012 | ![]() | September 2006 | More recent by 69 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Canon 5D MIII
D80 | 5D MIII |
---|
Common features in the Canon 5D MIII and Nikon D80
5D MIII | D80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 5D MIII features exterior measurements 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 D80 has proportions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs).
Check out the Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the 5D MIII vs the D80.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MIII and D80 is 55 and 62 respectively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The photograph below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D MIII and D80.
To sum up, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 5D MIII using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Canon 5D MIII will render extra detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer 5D MIII should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Nikon D80 Specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Nikon D80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Nikon D80 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-05-22 | 2006-09-23 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 5+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 22 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 5760 x 3840 | 3872 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 102400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 61 | - |
Cross type focus points | 41 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 250 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2 inches | 2.5 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 13.00 m |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | H.264 | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 950g (2.09 pounds) | 668g (1.47 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 81 | 61 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.0 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 11.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 2293 | 524 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LP-E6 | EN-EL3e |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | 2 | One |
Launch price | $2,780 | $800 |