Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800

Posted on 01. Mar, 2012

One of the first things people start doing when a new camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark III is announced is compare it to other cameras in its class… so we knew you’d want that and we put together this table of detailed specs on these 3 cameras… the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and the Nikon D800.

We thought about throwing in the Canon EOS-1D X and the Nikon D4, but those are approximately $3,000 more so they’re in a different class.

For more on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III announcement, please see this planet5D coverage:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800

CRITERIA	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 5D Mark III	D 800
Price (body only US$)	$2,499	$3,499	$2,999
General/Photography Settings
Articulated LCD	no	no	no
LCD Size	3”	3.2” 1.04 million dots	3.2” 921,000 dots
Image Stabilization	Only on lenses	Only on lenses	Only on lenses
Max Resolution			7360 x 4912
Autofocus points	9 points	61 Cross points: 21@f6, 20@f4, 5@f2.8	51 AF points
Raw stills support	yes	yes	yes
AE Lock	yes	yes	yes
ISO Range	100-6400 (high ISO up to 25600) (low ISO – 50)	100-25,600 (expand to 50-102,400)	100 – 6400 (50 – 25600 with boost)
Maximum frames per sec	3.9	6	4 fps in FX format, max 6fps in DX
MicroAdjustment for lenses	yes	yes	yes
Metering		63 Zone Full Color Metering (same as 7D)	TTL exposure metering using 91k pixel RGB sensor
Sensor size	Full Frame	Full Frame	Full Frame
Sensor mp rating	21.1	22.3	36.8
Processor	Digic IV	DIGIC V +	Expeed 3
Lens mounts	Canon EOS EF only	Canon EOS EF	Nikon F
Weather Resistant	water and dust resistant	Better than 5D2, less than Canon EOS-1D X	water and dust resistant
Memory card	1 CF	One CF one SD	one CF one SD
Popup Flash	no	no	yes
Weight (with battery)	810g (1.8lb)		900 g (1.98 lb / 31.75 oz)
Battery	LP-E6	LP-E6	MB-D12
Battery Grip	BG-E6	BG-E11	extra
Custom Functions	3 sets of memorized settings	yes	yes
Automatic sensor cleaning	yes	yes	yes
Viewfinder coverage	98%	100%	100%
Ethernet port	no	no	no
multi-exposure	no	yes (up to 9 exposures)	no
HDR in camera	no	yes (5 options)	yes
Horizon level	no	dual axis leveling	dual axis leveling
Face Detection	yes	yes	yes
GPS location	external	external device	external device
AE Bracket	3 frames	3, 5, 7 frames	(2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
Shutter life	150,000 actuations	150,000 actuations	200,000
Silent shooting	no	yes	yes
zoom in camera (not lens based)	no	no	no
Timelapse support	no	no	yes
Multifunction lock	no	yes	no
comparative playback	no	yes	no
Video functions:
Video (1080)	29.97, 25 and 23.97	29.97, 25 and 23.97	29.97, 25 and 23.97
Video (720)	n/a	60, 50	60, 50, 30, 25 fps
Video (640)	30, 25	30, 25	24
Video (320)	n/a	n/a	n/a
Longest clip	approx 12 minutes	29 minutes 59 seconds (split into 3 continuous clips)	29 minutes 59 seconds
NTSC / PAL	both	both	both
Microphone	internal mono only	internal mono only	internal mono only
Headphone Jack	no	yes	yes
Audio level control	yes – pre-recording only	yes + while recording	yes + while recording
Video autofocus	no	no	yes
Dedicated Video button	no	yes, programmable	yes
Video Recording format	H.264	H.264	H.264
Video compression	IPP	IPB or ALL-I	MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Uncompressed HDMI out	no	HDMI out but it is compressed	yes
Aperture control in video	no	yes	yes
Histogram in video	no	yes	no
Time code support	no	Rec Run and Free Run	no
Chromatic Aberration fix in video	no	yes	no

(cover photo credit: snap from Canon)

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95 Responses to “Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800”

N.K.Osborne

01. Mar, 2012

5D3 looks sexy

Reply to this comment
- Bob Bob
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  WTF you talking about Willis, it looks the same!
  
  Reply to this comment
  - N.K.Osborne
    
    02. Mar, 2012
    
    Referring to the specs dimbo.
    
    Reply to this comment
Simon B

01. Mar, 2012

How do you do a comparison and leave so many of the fields for the D800 black or wrong when the information has been there for weeks. Heres just a couple.

An obvious one D800 HDMI out – Yes and confirmed.

Aperture control in video – Yes

Reply to this comment
- planetMitch
  
  01. Mar, 2012
  
  I’ve been a bit busy in the last week… I am sorry I failed
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Peter
    
    02. Mar, 2012
    
    Yes, not a very good comparison. Let me help you:
    
    AE Lock: YES
    Micro adjustment for lens: Yes
    Metering: TTL exposure metering using 91K (91,000)-pixel RGB sensor
    Memory Cards: SD (Secure Digital) and ; Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant)
    Battery: Li-ion EN-EL15 battery
    Battery Grip: MB-D12
    Custom functions: Yes
    Auto sensor cleaning: Yes
    HDR in camera: Yes
    Horizon level: Dual axis levelling
    
    Reply to this comment
    - Bengt Nyman
      
      22. Mar, 2012
      
      Peter,
      I find conflicting information about Nikon D800 AF micro adjustment. It is not covered in the D800 user’s manual. Do we know for sure that the Nikon D800 has AF micro adjustment ?
      
      Reply to this comment
      - Bengt Nyman
        
        24. Mar, 2012
        
        I talked to Nikon. They call it AF fine tuning. Armed with this information I found it in their web manual. So, I answered my own question: Yes, the Nikon D800(E) does have AF micro adjustment, called Focus Fine Tuning.
  - Komalkumar
    
    02. Mar, 2012
    
    If you are busy, please dont give wrong or incomplete information
    
    Reply to this comment
  - anamorphiclofi
    
    03. Mar, 2012
    
    And don1t forget the crop factor on the D800……that is a great little feature to get more out of your lenses range!
    
    Reply to this comment
- Komalkumar
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Not just that….
  Metering in D800 is the same as D4 Which also similar to 1Dx….no were does it say if 5D3 has it or not !
  
  Multi exposure is there in Nikon from a long time !!
  
  Silent shooting which is called quite mode in Nikon and sensor cleaning are there for a long time in Nikon and here it says some thing else !!
  
  Reply to this comment
Huey

01. Mar, 2012

I think we have the winner, Nikon has better hand in the competition. I hope Canon would introduce 60p 1080 or uncompressed HDMI out ( or maybe just have to wait for Magic Lantern guys to crack it )

Reply to this comment
- Peter
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  It’s not about winning so much as getting it right. Both cameras appear to be fantastic and we are all winners.
  
  Reply to this comment
Silvio

02. Mar, 2012

D800 has multible exposures up to 9 and hdr mode, get your info right

Reply to this comment
- planetMitch
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  I’m very sorry you’re disappointed, this comparison was one of the last things I was working on and I’ve missed a couple of things. My apologies. Thanks for helping fix it.
  
  Reply to this comment
Michael

02. Mar, 2012

The D800 has a virtual horizon.

Reply to this comment
Silvio

02. Mar, 2012

Mitch the d800 also has horizon level, Aperture control in video , uncompressed hdmi out, also on timelalse it edits the images and outputs a final video. Also on the battery grip you right extra on the d800 and on the canons you wright the model names, or write extra on all or write model names on all. It leads people to wrong conclusions. Please fix this because your blog give out an inacurate image.

Reply to this comment
Cm

02. Mar, 2012

Thanks for working on this. You’re appreciated.

Reply to this comment
Y

02. Mar, 2012

www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25480/D800.html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

Nikon D800
HDMI output is uncompressed
HDR in camera
Memory Card CF & SD
AE Lock – YES
MicroAdjustment for lenses – YES
Metering – TTL exposure metering using 91,000-pixel RGB sensor
Battery – EN-EL15 Lithium-ion Battery
Custom Functions – Yes
Automatic sensor cleaning – Yes

When you compare some cameras maybe you want to give an extra 5 to 10 minutes to get the specs from the manufacturer.

Reply to this comment
- planetMitch
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Thank you! I apologize for making the errors… it has been an awful long week. I appreciate your support.
  
  Reply to this comment
Frank suero

02. Mar, 2012

Do not worry Mitch, I also blief that you are a Canon shutter so there is a chance you will look more for the canon information.

Mitch not only HDMI out from the 800D but also uncompressed full 1080P from the HDMI. This alone help me to make a change, moving to Sony or Nikon, may be a FS100 that i can get a adapter or just sell all fo my canon lenses and move to kikon, Because of the size of the sensor i belief i am moving to nikon and just them after a FS100 replacement go back to video cameras.

to me Canon did not did a greatjob on this edition, or may be, just may be we all thought wrong about the canon move into the HD-DSLR camera.

Lets now wait to see teh 4K EOS camera. I will keep my 7D for now.

Thanks Mitch for the great comparition

Reply to this comment
Michael

02. Mar, 2012

D800 also has in-camera HDR, AE lock and a self cleaning sensor.

Reply to this comment
Sofus Comer

02. Mar, 2012

Would somebody please just help Mitch by finishing the comparison list. He needs to sleep for 12 hours. Thanks for your work so far Mitch.

To all you canon folks. Congrats on what seems to be an awesome camera. Love the low light options, speed that it offers.

To all us nikon folks. Congrats on what seems to be large megapixels opening up new super print option. And some thourough video tools.

CAnt wait to see all of your pictures and videos out there in the next couple of months!!! Kick some ass folks!, no matter what camera you end up with.

Reply to this comment
Lisa A

02. Mar, 2012

Well this comparison was useless. Thanks to your readers I get the complete picture.

Thanks to everyone for filling in the gaps!

Shame on this website for blowing chunks though. Bummer.

Reply to this comment
- gibbygoo
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Your comment is useless. Read the thread, then decide if you have something worthwhile to add.
  
  Reply to this comment
Peter

02. Mar, 2012

A few more

- Autofocus points: 51 points, 9 at f/8
- Video recording format: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
- Battery grip: MB-D12 optional
- Battery: EN-EL15

Other factors that could be included is the:

- Price
- WB bracketing
- Connectivity, i.e. USB

and any thing else that could be added.

Comparison is looking better now, keep up the good work

Reply to this comment
Lubomir

02. Mar, 2012

Except things already mentioned above, there is also an Ethernet port available on D800. For some people, this is more important than anything else.

Nonetheless, BOTH cameras are excellent. I’m Canon shooter converting to Nikon, but that does NOT take away excellent quality of either. Absolutely no doubts 5dMk3 will take AMAZING pictures, just the same applies to D800 (maybe save for iso12800 which might be better on Canon due to pixel size but that doesn’t bother me at all as I rarely see ISO1600).

I’m absolutely convinced in both, just D800 fits better for me and seems to be better value for the money. I have invested “a coin or two” in Canon glass, but that is no issue at all – I’m going to sell them all with basically no loss and buy equivalent Nikon alternatives.

PS: nobody is really locked in platform.

Reply to this comment
- Peter
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the D4 has the ethernet port but the D800 doesn’t.
  
  Reply to this comment
- John
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Uhh… There’s no ethernet port on the D800. It does have USB3 though.
  
  Reply to this comment
Matthew Dwyer

02. Mar, 2012

I have been a pro canon user since the F1n and loved the gear as del as the CPS support. As this became limited in availability through the classing of the 5Dmk2 as an enthusiast not ‘pro’ camera, I started to have my doubts. I love using the 5D mk2, but this comparison makes me question what advantages there are to stick with Canon. I really like the sound of the pixel based metering of D800, time-lapse support, higher pixel count, built-in flash (for fill) water-resistance, and potential to use an f4 lens with 2x and still get AF. USB 3 also seems like a great idea, shame my Mac doesn’t offer it too. The 14-24mm lens and 24-120 cover most options for me as a photo-journalist.
Am I missing something, or is the Nikon just better in a whole heap of ways?

Reply to this comment
Rien

02. Mar, 2012

Hey Mitch,

Excellent job. No need to apologize to lazy a55 jerks who cannot do anything other then crib like little 8itches and pick on some small errors. Both 5D MK III & D800 are fantastic cameras, they both excel at some features and lack at others – thus providing specific needs of specific market segments.Well done to both Canon & Nikon, we now have great options to choose from.

Reply to this comment
- stve
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  I didn’t think Canon could deliver a camera to equal the D800, I much prefer the looks & ergonomics of Nikon cameras but if this sensor was in a Nikon body & I had to chose 36 MP or native ISO of 25,600 that’s a tough call to make.
  First Canon would have to deliver on the high ISO & be a couple of stops better than the D800, Canon’s been in the habit of giving cameras really high iso specifications & failing to deliver.
  cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/brent_stirton_shooting_eos_5d_mark_iii.do
  
  Brent Stirton is claiming the 5DMK3 high iso 25,600 is equivalent to iso 1600 on a 5DMK2 incredible claim but I very much doubt he would risk his reputation making bogus claims.
  So long as the D800 can deliver clean iso 6400 which is all I need I would rather have the 36 MP but I know many would pick the Canon.
  
  Reply to this comment
  - ptmac
    
    02. Mar, 2012
    
    The high ISO is misleading if you shoot RAW stills! The raw files do not benefit from the awesome noise reduction that Canon has implemented. Video and jpegs will be awesome but pro still photographers shooting RAW will not want to give up the range of post adjustments we have. There may be times that clean jpegs at high ISO will be great and a better route to go. Reportage/ some Wedding photo guys will be jumping for joy.
    
    Reply to this comment
Stormwatch

02. Mar, 2012

Well….Nikon DID IT again and AGAIN! Bye bye Canon!

Reply to this comment
- guru
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Mozete i ti i Nikon da pusite Canonu samo :)
  
  Reply to this comment
Adam

02. Mar, 2012

And the winner is: D800

Reply to this comment
Athos

02. Mar, 2012

As an indie film maker and mk2 owner, colour me disappointed with the mk3, there is only marginal improvements all round. The mk2 was revolutionary, mk3 is evolutionary, and not even very evolutionary.

If I am going to lay down 3000 pounds for a new body, I’d want rolling shutter totally gone, a swivel screen, uncompressed hdmi out and some sort of image stabilisation. The mk3, whilst having some nice tweaks here or there, lacks any killer features.

Reply to this comment
- gibbygoo
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  “If I am going to lay down 3000 pounds for a new body, I’d want rolling shutter totally gone.”
  
  You’re funny. The EX1r and it’s 1/2″ chip has rolling shutter. The Reds have rolling shutter.
  
  You make it sound like $3K is a lot of money for a digital cinema camera. That comment makes one thing clear. You’re not a professional.
  
  Reply to this comment
Rich

02. Mar, 2012

I hate those “technical comparisons” (the discussions about them)… When do people learn that lenses are as important as Bodies.

I love the “softer” (awesome OOF) images the canon L lenses deliever. And i don’t like the edged OOF Nikon delievers. I cannot even say it that technically, i just look at images and like the canon ones better. That’s why i switched systems three years ago.

I would go for the D800 with Canon L-Lenses.

Reply to this comment
- xa
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  there is no way that you can look at a photo and accurately decipher from it what camera or lens is used.
  
  Reply to this comment
peter

02. Mar, 2012

Same stupid comments you see everywhere, Canon vs Nikon, Ford vs Chevy, if you like Canon buy one, prefer Nikon then get it. We just don’t care what you like, in reality nobody cares. All we care is the specs of a particular model to make a wise decision. Great post.

Reply to this comment
Nekojiru

02. Mar, 2012

5Dm3 – HDMI out but it is compressed – WTF !!!!!!!!! WHY ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Reply to this comment
- planetMitch
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  My guess is because there will be a Cinema EOS DSLR
  
  Reply to this comment
  - gibbygoo
    
    02. Mar, 2012
    
    I hope you’re right, Mitch. It really is unbelievable the 5DIII can’t do 4:2:2 and the Nikon CAN. Wow. Could be a deal breaker for me and anyone who does a fair amount of grading in post. My hunch is that Canon had now clue that Nikon would come out with a 4:2:2 camera.
    
    Reply to this comment
BJ

02. Mar, 2012

For me the only thing that mathers is de picture quality and sharpness. Not any -10k$ DSLR had the picture quality of the 5d2. Now we have a new winner..the 5D3.
Canon on top of the image quality for some more years to come. So if you need a DSLR less than 10k$ and your main concern is image quality at all iso settings switch from nikon,sony to a Canon 5D3 + the mk2 lences. If you need all the fance video-camera options..buy a video camera.
Again a winner for Canon for photo. 5D2 owns D700. 5D3 owns D800.

Reply to this comment
- preston
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  That’s brand loyalty (aka fanboyism) is I ever saw it! Neither the 5D3 nor the D800 have been released to the public yet and you already know that 5D3 has better image quality at all iso settings? Pretty ridiculous jump to conclusions based on, let’s see, oh yea, nothing.
  
  Many claimed 5DII beat D700 in image quality due to the higher resolution sensor, but now that the tables have turned we’re seeing the argument that resolution is less important than picture quality “at all iso settings”. Funny how that didn’t matter for the 5DII vs D700 argument. .
  
  Reply to this comment
- stve
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  For image quality the Nikon D3X was the best.
  The Nikon D700 had better image quality than the 5D2 from iso 3200 & higher & better weatherproofing better build quality much better Autofocus.
  I would bet on the D800 having the better image quality at low iso’s .It’s much to early to jump to any conclusions until the reviews are in.
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Flavio Carnevale
    
    03. Mar, 2012
    
    When I choose a photo assistant I usually prefer Nikon-assistants since I have Canon. This because there’s not an absolute best.
    I can tell you – and will invite you to demonstrate it, here, if you’ll ever pass in Italy – that, for examples, D3x is excellent and I love to use it… but in many situations I prefer to use 5dMK2, since D3x or many other cameras (both Nikon or Canon) don’t balance correctly colors.
    I know, you can say: ok, use manual balance. Right.
    But, as I told you, it depends on situations. Sometimes you can’t…
    I hate supporting one or another brand, especially when it is not just to say: ok, lets use this or that, but just to say: I have a Nikon, I am better.
    I am sorry that, using a bran and having 10 lenses, 3-4 flashes, batteries, a couple body at least, it’s not possible to switch easily to the other… maybe to come back next year.
    I read comparisons but just because it’s a help to buy or not new equipment… so I prefer Canon vs canon or Nikon vs nikon comparisons.
    canon vs nikon can be just good for a new photographer or a less equiped one… to choose which brand fits better his needs (and his pockets)
    
    Reply to this comment
- xa
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  That just sounds crazy. As far as image quality goes, the d700 and the 5d mk2 are very close. I own both and I use them for very different reasons but unless you are a videographer, there really is no “clear” winner. It comes down to preference and practicality.
  
  Reply to this comment
- Nut
  
  03. Mar, 2012
  
  I agree with BJ. The image quality-sharpness-colors of the 5DII is the best around better than the D3X-D700-1dIV … . Also the opinion of many photography magazines who gave a 100% for image quality. Now with the5d3 I guess the image quality will not be less. But what you need to tell is that the body is only 10% of the image qualiy, more important is the light/lense/photographer. As a travel photographer the new 5d3 wants me to buy this one. The MP overkill of the D800 is a big disadvantage in my case.
  
  Reply to this comment
nikonshooter

02. Mar, 2012

gratz, canonusers, looks like a really good camera! is it now confirmed, that it has the 1D-X AF-system? i dont understand, why canon does not include a flash for wireless strobist-fun…

Reply to this comment
Angara

02. Mar, 2012

what is the difference between BG-E6 vs BG-E11? I have BG- E6……does this work on 5D3?

Reply to this comment
Christopher Dinnan

02. Mar, 2012

After looking forward to this update from Canon I now find myself disappointed and will be switching to the Nikon D800. the competition is just so much better, can’t believe Canon thought this ‘bump’ would constitute a revision. Would have stayed if this new camera featured a swivel screen. I only use this type of gear for video.

Reply to this comment
Mike

02. Mar, 2012

Wow some of you guys ar jerks, this guy took his time to create a chart among other things like big events going on and what ever other personal duties he may have in his life that we don’t know about.

I would like to add , I’m not sure if the D800 has external GPS support, I was reading rumors that they decide to get rid of the connection since it’s not an outdoor but more a studio camera.

And I’m shocked as hell that the 5DM3 has compressed HDMI out.. is this for 100% confirmed ?

Reply to this comment
Flavio Carnevale

02. Mar, 2012

Its so stupid to fight as canon vs nikon supporters. It seems that people looks much more at cameras than at photography. Maybe supporting one or the other and believing that they have the best, makes them feeling better photographers? that’s the most stupid approach on photography I’ve ever seen. I knew awful photographers using the D4 and they do awful photography… and less equiped guys achieving excellence.
All of us should be happy that the competition between Canon and Nikon forces them to do better, that means, for us, better equipment to use, or just a wider variety of options.
What we should suffer is that when you get into a system, you stay in it, and, since on both sides you can find here and there better or worse characteristics (on lenses, AF, on cameras etc) it should be looked just as a limit… and not denied saying “no no, canon is better” or “no no, it’s Nikon“.
If I had infinite possibilities, I would have had both Canon and Nikon using one or another according to my needs.
Maybe supporters are not so well skilled to understand that differences between cameras are not just MP and that there’s not an absolute winner for ALL photography situations?

Reply to this comment
John

02. Mar, 2012

I’d be real surprised if the D700 didn’t support multiple exposures given that Nikon DSLRs have had that feature for years, and Canon never have.

As far as Timecode support, given that the D800 offers clean HDMI output, if you’re recording to something like the Atomos Ninja straight to ProRes 4:2:2, you can get your timecoding feature.

Reply to this comment
guru

02. Mar, 2012

There is no “Line skipping” column for video, Nikon still does video like that, so It is very important info, not to compare, but to be aware what “clean HDMI” is not that clean after all, someone will jump ship just for that option, and realize that 6 or 7 thousand dollars later Cannons ALL-I compression in conjuction with much more sensitive sensor will trump Nikons crippled HDMI out.

Reply to this comment
- John
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Clean HDMI has nothing to do with how the images are captured from the sensor, but the fact that it’s uncompressed video output that you can record straight to 4:2:2 (which you can’t do with Canon).
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Joel K.
    
    03. Mar, 2012
    
    Clean often refers to the absence of any text overlays on the HDMI output. Some cameras output a good signal but contain camera information and are therefore not clean.
    
    In the D800‘s case it is both uncompressed 8 bit and clean AFAIK.
    
    The 5D III will be clean but compressed. $#!%!!! – lol.
    
    Reply to this comment
    - planetMitch
      
      03. Mar, 2012
      
      Thanks for the comment Joel, but in fact the 5D3 is not clean – it has the graphic overlays unfortunately. I expect the Cinema EOS HDSLR to be clean and uncompressed but we don’t know when that is coming.
      
      Reply to this comment
      - Joel K.
        
        03. Mar, 2012
        
        Mitch was cool enough to email me the info that the 5D III video output is NOT CLEAN. Thanks!
        
        Given what Nikon is doing I’m pretty blown away that Canon has chosen this. I guess we’ll have to see how their codec holds up, but I’m sure not pre-ordering now.
        
        Nikon went with a mega pixel density and lost some low light capability. Canon cripples the output. It’s like Chinese water torture!!
        
        Can’t wait to hear details on the Canon Cinema DSLR! I hope it’s uncompressed and clean with a flipout LCD. A mini C300.
Andrew

02. Mar, 2012

At the end of the day get the Camera brand you feel most comfortable with and try before you buy and spend as much money as you can afford and if you follow these simple rules you will have a camera to be proud of.
Remember photography is about the photographs not the camera !! This said i am a Canon man but i do like the look of the Nikon‘s, Sony and the Fuji’s. Everyone need to chill getting so hot and bothered about who has the better spec is a gross misuse of time and resources, just be happy with the camera you have.

Reply to this comment
- gibbygoo
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  “Photography is about the photographs not the camera.”
  
  Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind when I try to shoot the next cover of our magazine with an iphone.
  
  Look, you’re half right–it’s about the photographs. But when you earn a living as a visual content producer, technology matters. Just the ability to crop an image can turn a good photo into a great one. It can create multiple layout options. It MATTERS.
  
  It matters MORE when the technology is in skilled hands, because skilled hands are the best way to exploit the advances of technology.
  
  Reply to this comment
Athos

02. Mar, 2012

Someone sent me this, but it sums up the reaction to the 5Dmk3:

The Zacuto team is bummed.
Vincent LaForet is bummed
Phillip Bloom is bummed
Atomos is really *
Sound Devices is devastated
Lucasfilm are totally bummed
Cinedeck is depressed
KiPro asks why?
So far a total letdown.

My favorite tweet from Shane Hurbut’s gang:
Vision Wrangler ‏ @VisionWrangler
Breaking #5D3 News. 5D MKII owners can now upgrade to the 5D MKIII for under $1,000 : Just add a small silver stripe with a permanent marker

Reply to this comment
Matt

02. Mar, 2012

Woah… put down your pitchforks and torches everyone.

If you already knew this info, don’t complain about not hearing about it. Thanks for posting this Mitch. No matter what’s going on in life you didn’t HAVE to take the time to do this. It is greatly appreciated.

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Todd

02. Mar, 2012

Can’t wait until the popularity of it drives the price of the 5d2 down further… otherwise why pay for the 5d3 when you can use the same $3500 to buy both a 5d2 and a 7d, and have the best of both worlds?

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- Nut
  
  03. Mar, 2012
  
  Now you have to choose: image quality 5d2 or good autofucus 7d.
  With the 5d3 you will (porbably) have the 2. So with the 5d3 you will have the “best of both worlds”.
  
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Jkon

02. Mar, 2012

Even the big bro D4 is offering native ISO at 100-12800, yet 5DM3 have 25600, doubt its IQ at that high ISO

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gibbygoo

02. Mar, 2012

I’m bummed about a few aspects, but for video productions, the BIGGEST issue is moire. Has it been exorcised down to Sony XDCAM levels? Is it still an “issue” like it seems to be with the D800?

If you’re buying the 5d3 for video, you’d be crazy to throw down $ without seeing solid evidence that this issue has been dealt with.

Vimeo uploaders (who think they are filmmakers because they are shooting at f1.8 handheld) may not have to deal with moire so much, but video professionals know better. This is by far the biggest issue. If it’s under control, the 5D3 could be a winner.

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Craig

02. Mar, 2012

Mitch,

Thanks for your efforts in pulling together the table. It will be great if you have a chance to update based on feedback received here.

I’m a amateur Nikon owner myself, and was looking at the D800. I wanted to wait for the mk3 to come out to see if there was going to be any major reason to consider switching platforms. I’m glad to see now that I don’t need to lose any sleep stressing over it.

Thanks for the continued good work.

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matt

02. Mar, 2012

Pretty sure compressed HDMI does not exist, therefore I don’t think the 5d III has it. The real question is color space, and cleanliness of the HDMI out, which does not appear to have been specified in any news I’ve seen so far this morning

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scooter

02. Mar, 2012

Go to “lens mounts”. For the 5DmkII it says “Canon EOS EF only” which we all know. But for the 5DmkIII it says “Canon EOS EF” but omits the “only”. What does that mean?

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- planetMitch
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  sorry – I just left out the ‘only’ – no EF-S
  
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Lubomir

02. Mar, 2012

neither 5dmk3 nor D800 nor ANY OTHER DSLR can be considered as professional video platform.

They have too many limitations. They just can’t cope with PROFESSIONAL cameras from Red, Arri, Panasonic, Sony and the likes despite DSLRs having larger sensor and “more megapixels”.

Yes, DSLR can be used to take some very nice “moving images” but they are not comparable to professional level and requirements.

We have to accept one simple thing : DSLR can not replace, will not replace and is not intended to replace $20.000+ movie cameras with $20.000+ lens.

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- Mike
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  Lubomir , I’ll have to say your right and wrong.. The Canon 5D Mark II was used in two professional settings to replace cameras on set. One that everyone knows am sure. Is House not sure why they wanted to go Canon 5D MII they said the director liked the look which is bullshit and that it fit into the small size areas again bullshit since they film the show all the time with full size cams.. Another not so known is the newest Captain America movie. They used the 5DMII for a few secs mixed in with the footage to help get the shots that would have cost much much more had they needed to get the full sized cams rigged.. rather they just ducked taped 5D MarkII’s and called it a day.
  
  All thats going on is back and forth nit picking because at this point these cameras are amazing and in the right hands you would never be able to tell if your watching footage shot on a red or a 5D Mark III/II. I know of a tv show filming right now with a few Canon D800‘s mind you they are using HDMI to capture in the format and settings they want but the camera is still a DSLR being used in place of a full size…
  
  I know i can’t end the fan boy war but damn it at this point we are the ones who win. We can choose any camera that fits our needs and since they are so neck and neck and trying to out due each other we always have the best to pick from.
  
  Reply to this comment
Simon B

02. Mar, 2012

This is an article on a new piece of equipment and this is the place to discuss the pros and cons while making comparisons.

Theres nothing wrong with a spirited debate on the subject. We all learn from it and come out better informed and assuming the manufactures read these debates also they learn too.

And for the hippies out there, that one that always turns up and says “Its not the camera but what you do with it” Barf!

A pro hones his/her craft with the best tools they can giving them the confidence to get on with it.

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Daniel

02. Mar, 2012

I can’t help imagining Canon and Nikon CEOs playing golf and laughing together while you all fight for, well, megapixels? Dynamic range? FPS? I’d rather go shoot.

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- Simon B
  
  02. Mar, 2012
  
  So why aren’t you out shooting than here?
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Daniel
    
    03. Mar, 2012
    
    Funny lots of folks here are kinda aggressive… Sorry, man, it was not my intention to offend you. I just can’t find all this clash to be important. It’s pretty much nonsense to me. Childish, maybe. Sort of “my dad has a bigger penis than yours” kinda thing.
    I kept reading all the posts and, to be honest, learned nothing. You’re damn right, I really should be out there shooting! (I went shooting before I wrote that and will shoot today, but it was pretty late at night then and I was almost sleeping on my keyboard…)
    Well, sorry if that offended you anyway. Hope you can enjoy more that criticize. Life’s much better that way.
    Don’t bother answering or cursing; I won’t be back here to read. I’ll be out there shooting!
    Good luck to you all with your cameras!
    
    Reply to this comment
    - Daniel
      
      03. Mar, 2012
      
      (BTW, one of the thumbs up you got was from me! Totally agreed. Thanks for showing me all this gets me nowhere.)
      
      Reply to this comment
  - planetMitch
    
    03. Mar, 2012
    
    Hey, don’t scare away my readers! LOL – just teasing… tho I do want them to come back please (grin)
    
    Reply to this comment
    - Daniel
      
      03. Mar, 2012
      
      Hey, Mitch,
      Just received some “your post has been replied to” warning by email…
      Sorry, man! It’s not that I want to keep people from reading, and also not that I don’t care about gear. (I’d love to own any of these cameras people are comparing/complaining about…) It’s just that fighting about something you never shot with, comparing numbers, is a little too much for me. It’s more like people are rooting for a specific brand than any other thing. (And I root for myself; couldn’t care less about Canon or Nikon or any other brand; they can take care of themselves and their billion-dollar companies, and I can barely take care of myself and my hard-earned money…) Many folks here are trying to win the discussion, not learn from each other. Honestly, what have you learned from all the posts here? For me it’s about listening, not talking. (I learn nothing by talking.)
      I sure read a lot before buying, compare specs and all that stuff (I don’t have money to spare, so I try my best choosing), but I’ve found that FOR MYSELF I’d rather look at results and photographer’s work and opinions than to compare numbers. Plus, I’ve learned that, like computers or phones, the best camera today is not that good anymore next year. If folks here are about numbers, whoa, ok, fine. I’m not one of you, that’s all.
      Bottom line, huge sorry for all of you who took offense; absolutely no offense was intended. My first post was intended to be a joke, nothing more. No place for (bad?) humor here, though… LOL
      Sorry again! Hope people keep on reading…
      
      Reply to this comment
- Nut
  
  03. Mar, 2012
  
  Canon and Nikon CEOs playing golf ? You mean Canon CEO playing golf and nikon and Sony Ceo holding his bag? Market share 2010: 45% canon 30%nikon 15%sony.
  Now for 2011 it looks like sony is stealing a lot of market share from nikon.
  
  Reply to this comment
  - Peter
    
    04. Mar, 2012
    
    2010 was a great year for Canon, however as of the last quarter of 2011, Nikon was outselling Canon in the DSLR market.
    
    Reply to this comment
Simon B

03. Mar, 2012

Youve missed the point. This is a technical article with technical comments for the most part, except for the odd cliche that it’s about the photos and not the camera. That’s obvious. But this link is about cameras.

We might buy a camera once every few years so if it’s alright with you we’d like to discuss their merits?

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Chrispy

03. Mar, 2012

It’s disappointing that the 5D MkIII does not autofocus during video. Is that just too hard to achieve or what?

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- Lakh420
  
  03. Mar, 2012
  
  Is it true D800 does autofocus during video? How well it’s video autofocus work? If true, a definite plus over 5d MkIII.
  
  Reply to this comment
- Nut
  
  03. Mar, 2012
  
  Why do you need autofucus on a dslr that uses DOF? Sounds like you better of making movies with your phone. A dslr will make very good movies. But it will never top a +20k$ videocamera with +20k* lenses. A photocamera is for taking photos..making movies with it is nice extra for family time or students.
  
  Reply to this comment
April Fose

03. Mar, 2012

Did anyone see if the 5DMKIII can start/stop video recording with a remote trigger? The D800/D4 can have record start/stop put on the shutter release in video live view. So any thing plugged to Nikon‘s 10pin connector to trigger stills can also start/stop video recording. Useful for jibs, out of reach and POV cameras in weird places.

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Dimitris

23. Mar, 2012

Dxomark labs rates the Nikon D800 in there top list with rate 95 , it must be a hell of a DSLR

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