SIDE-BY-SIDE HARDWARE MATRIX
Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Direct specification breakdown comparing Nikon's 20.8MP 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 D5 Advantages5 Spec Wins
- ✓More Phase-Detect AF Points (153pts vs 61pts)
- ✓Faster Continuous Burst (14fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Mechanical Shutter (14fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Electronic Shutter (14fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Longer CIPA Battery Endurance (3780shots vs 950shots)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Advantages2 Spec Wins
- ✓Higher Sensor Resolution (22.3MP vs 20.8MP)
- ✓Lighter Body (950g vs 1415g)
01
Sensor & Image Quality
Effective megapixel count, sensor readout architecture, and lens mount
Effective Sensor Resolution
Nikon D520.8 MP
Canon EOS 5D Mark III22.3 MP
✓ +1.5 MPSensor Architecture & Type
Nikon D5Full Frame FX CMOS
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Frame CMOS
Physical Sensor Dimensions
Nikon D535.9 × 23.9 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III36.0 × 24.0 mm
Aspect Ratios
Nikon D53:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Native Lens Mount
Nikon D5Nikon F
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIICanon EF
Image Processor
Nikon D5EXPEED 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 D5153-Point Multi-CAM 20K AF
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61-Point High Density Reticular AF
Phase-Detect AF Points / Zones
Nikon D5153 points
✓ +92 ptsCanon EOS 5D Mark III61 points
AI Subject Detection
Nikon D5Deep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDeep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Max Continuous Burst Speed
Nikon D514 fps
✓ +8 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Mechanical Shutter Burst
Nikon D514 fps
✓ +8 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Electronic Shutter Burst
Nikon D514 fps
✓ +8 fpsCanon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Maximum Shutter Speed
Nikon D51/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
Nikon D5No 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 D54K30 UHD
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I
Supported Frame Rates
Nikon D54K30 UHD at maximum sustained frame rate
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I at maximum sustained frame rate
Color Bit Depth & Sampling
Nikon D58-bit 4:2:2 Clean HDMI
Canon EOS 5D Mark III8-bit 4:2:0 H.264
Log Gamma & Cinema Profiles
Nikon D5Full Cinema Log Profile Suite
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Cinema Log Profile Suite
Audio & HDMI I/O
Nikon D53.5mm 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 D5Dual XQD or Dual CF Slots
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1x CompactFlash + 1x SD UHS-I
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Nikon D5Optical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIOptical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Battery Life (CIPA Rated)
Nikon D53780 shots
✓ +2830 shotsCanon EOS 5D Mark III950 shots
Body Weight (with Battery & Card)
Nikon D51415 g
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 g
✓ 465g LighterDimensions (W × H × D)
Nikon D5160.0 × 158.5 × 92.0 mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark III152.0 × 116.4 × 76.4 mm
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