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Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
72
Overall
74
Canon EOS 5DS front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Key Specs

Canon 5DS
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 930g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Released February 2015
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Revealed August 2017
  • Superseded the Nikon D810
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Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon 5DS versus Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the 5DS (51MP) and the D850 (46MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The 5DS was manufactured 3 years prior to the D850 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the 5DS grades against the D850 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5DS over the Nikon D850

 5DS D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Canon 5DS

 D850 5DS 
RevealedAugust 2017February 2015Fresher by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1040kClearer screen (+1319k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 5DS and Nikon D850

 5DS D850 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon 5DS features outer dimensions of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 930 grams (2.05 lbs) while the Nikon D850 has measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") along with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Look at the Canon 5DS versus Nikon D850 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the 5DS and the D850.

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 5DS and D850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5DS and D850.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon 5DS to provide you with more detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older 5DS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5DS Portrait photography features
Nikon D850 Portrait photography features
85
has manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
86
has manual focus
MP count great (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 5DS Street photography features
Nikon D850 Street photography features
61
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
66
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,015g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5DS Sports photography information
Nikon D850 Sports photography information
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is excellent (51MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (700 per charge)
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count great (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5DS Travel photography factors
Nikon D850 Travel photography factors
57
weather proof
sensor resolution is excellent (51 megapixels)
bad battery (700 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
MP count great (46 megapixels)
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5DS Landscape photography features
Nikon D850 Landscape photography features
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
sensor resolution is excellent (51MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (700 shots)
82
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
MP count great (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proof
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5DS Vlogging info
Nikon D850 Vlogging info
30
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
30
touch screen
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
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Canon 5DS vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5DS and Nikon D850
 Canon EOS 5DSNikon D850
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 5DS Nikon D850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-02-06 2017-08-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual DIGIC 6 Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 51 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8688 x 5792 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 61 153
Cross focus points 41 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Nikon F
Total lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.75x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 930g (2.05 lb) 1015g (2.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 87 100
DXO Color Depth score 24.7 26.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 14.8
DXO Low light score 2381 2660
Other
Battery life 700 shots 1840 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail price $3,699 $2,997