SIDE-BY-SIDE HARDWARE MATRIX
Nikon D850 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Direct specification breakdown comparing Nikon's 45.7MP Nikon F-mount body against Canon's 22.3MP Canon EF-mount body.
ACTIVE MATCHUP
Technical Spec Matrix
Green indicators highlight objective numerical advantages.
✓ Smart Win Highlighting Active
Nikon D850 Advantages6 Spec Wins
- ✓Higher Sensor Resolution (45.7MP vs 22.3MP)
- ✓More Phase-Detect AF Points (153pts vs 61pts)
- ✓Faster Continuous Burst (9fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Mechanical Shutter (9fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Electronic Shutter (9fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Longer CIPA Battery Endurance (1840shots vs 950shots)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Advantages1 Spec Wins
- ✓Lighter Body (950g vs 1005g)
01
Sensor & Image Quality
Effective megapixel count, sensor readout architecture, and lens mount
Effective Sensor Resolution
Nikon D85045.7 MP
✓ +23.4 MPCanon EOS 5D Mark III22.3 MP
Sensor Architecture & Type
Nikon D850Full Frame FX BSI CMOS
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Frame CMOS
Physical Sensor Dimensions
Nikon D85035.9 × 23.9 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III36.0 × 24.0 mm
Aspect Ratios
Nikon D8503:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Native Lens Mount
Nikon D850Nikon F
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIICanon EF
Image Processor
Nikon D850EXPEED 5
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDIGIC 5+
02
Autofocus & Shooting Speed
Phase-detect AF points, neural subject tracking, burst speeds, and IBIS stops
Autofocus System
Nikon D850153-Point Multi-CAM 20K AF
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61-Point High Density Reticular AF
Phase-Detect AF Points / Zones
Nikon D850153 points
✓ +92 ptsCanon EOS 5D Mark III61 points
AI Subject Detection
Nikon D850Deep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDeep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Max Continuous Burst Speed
Nikon D8509 fps
✓ +3 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Mechanical Shutter Burst
Nikon D8509 fps
✓ +3 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Electronic Shutter Burst
Nikon D8509 fps
✓ +3 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Maximum Shutter Speed
Nikon D8501/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
Nikon D850No Internal IBIS
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIINo Internal IBIS
03
Video Capabilities
Maximum recording resolution, frame rate capabilities, internal bit depth, and I/O
Max Video Resolution
Nikon D8504K30 Uncropped
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I
Supported Frame Rates
Nikon D8504K30 Uncropped at maximum sustained frame rate
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I at maximum sustained frame rate
Color Bit Depth & Sampling
Nikon D8508-bit 4:2:2 Clean HDMI
Canon EOS 5D Mark III8-bit 4:2:0 H.264
Log Gamma & Cinema Profiles
Nikon D850Full Cinema Log Profile Suite
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Cinema Log Profile Suite
Audio & HDMI I/O
Nikon D8503.5mm Stereo Microphone, 3.5mm Headphone Monitor, Clean HDMI Output
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3.5mm Stereo Microphone, 3.5mm Headphone Monitor, Clean HDMI Output
04
Hardware, Ergonomics & Pricing
Memory card slots, EVF optics, CIPA battery rating, weight, dimensions, and price
Memory Card Slots
Nikon D8501x XQD/CFexpress + 1x SD UHS-II
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1x CompactFlash + 1x SD UHS-I
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Nikon D850Optical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIOptical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Battery Life (CIPA Rated)
Nikon D8501840 shots
✓ +890 shotsCanon EOS 5D Mark III950 shots
Body Weight (with Battery & Card)
Nikon D8501005 g
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 g
✓ 55g LighterDimensions (W × H × D)
Nikon D850146.0 × 124.0 × 78.5 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III152.0 × 116.4 × 76.4 mm
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