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Canon 5D vs Nikon D850

Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
41
Overall
49
Canon EOS 5D front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Key Specs

Canon 5D
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
  • Launched November 2005
  • Successor is Canon 5D MII
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Introduced August 2017
  • Older Model is Nikon D810
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Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon 5D versus Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the 5D (13MP) and D850 (46MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 5D was revealed 12 years earlier than the D850 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 5D scores vs the D850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Nikon D850

 5D D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Canon 5D

 D850 5D 
IntroducedAugust 2017November 2005Fresher by 143 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2359k230kSharper screen (+2129k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 5D and Nikon D850

 5D D850 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon 5D features exterior dimensions of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Nikon D850 has sizing of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

See the Canon 5D versus Nikon D850 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the 5D vs the D850.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 5D and D850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 5D and D850.

As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon D850 to result in more detail because of its extra 33MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older 5D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Portrait photography camera
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (13MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
86
focusing manually
megapixel count fantastic (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D as a Street photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Street photography camera
56
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
has a tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D Sports photography information
Nikon D850 Sports photography information
55
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (800 per charge)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count fantastic (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (1,840 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D Travel photography info
Nikon D850 Travel photography info
49
weather proofing
megapixel count good (13MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (800 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
65
great battery life (1,840 shots)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count fantastic (46MP)
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D Landscape photography advice
Nikon D850 Landscape photography advice
54
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (800 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
82
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count fantastic (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (1,840 CIPA)
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D850 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
30
touchscreen capability
has face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
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Canon 5D vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D and Nikon D850
 Canon EOS 5DNikon D850
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 5D Nikon D850
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-11-12 2017-08-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic II Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 46MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4368 x 2912 8256 x 5504
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Nikon F
Available lenses 250 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5" 3.2"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.75x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options External Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lbs) 1015 gr (2.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 100
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 26.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 14.8
DXO Low light score 1368 2660
Other
Battery life 800 images 1840 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-511A EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Storage slots 1 2
Cost at release $2,780 $2,997