SIDE-BY-SIDE HARDWARE MATRIX
Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D500
Direct specification breakdown comparing Canon's 22.3MP Canon EF-mount body against Nikon's 20.9MP Nikon F-mount body.
ACTIVE MATCHUP
Technical Spec Matrix
Green indicators highlight objective numerical advantages.
✓ Smart Win Highlighting Active
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Advantages1 Spec Wins
- ✓Higher Sensor Resolution (22.3MP vs 20.9MP)
Nikon D500 Advantages6 Spec Wins
- ✓More Phase-Detect AF Points (153pts vs 61pts)
- ✓Faster Continuous Burst (10fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Mechanical Shutter (10fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Faster Electronic Shutter (10fps vs 6fps)
- ✓Longer CIPA Battery Endurance (1240shots vs 950shots)
- ✓Lighter Body (860g vs 950g)
01
Sensor & Image Quality
Effective megapixel count, sensor readout architecture, and lens mount
Effective Sensor Resolution
Canon EOS 5D Mark III22.3 MP
✓ +1.4 MPNikon D50020.9 MP
Sensor Architecture & Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Frame CMOS
Nikon D500APS-C DX CMOS
Physical Sensor Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III36.0 × 24.0 mm
Nikon D50023.5 × 15.7 mm
Aspect Ratios
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Nikon D5003:2 (Native), 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Native Lens Mount
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIICanon EF
Nikon D500Nikon F
Image Processor
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDIGIC 5+
Nikon D500EXPEED 5
02
Autofocus & Shooting Speed
Phase-detect AF points, neural subject tracking, burst speeds, and IBIS stops
Autofocus System
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61-Point High Density Reticular AF
Nikon D500153-Point Multi-CAM 20K AF
Phase-Detect AF Points / Zones
Canon EOS 5D Mark III61 points
Nikon D500153 points
✓ +92 ptsAI Subject Detection
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDeep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Nikon D500Deep Learning Subject Recognition (Human, Animals, Vehicles, Aircraft)
Max Continuous Burst Speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Nikon D50010 fps
✓ +4 fpsMechanical Shutter Burst
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Nikon D50010 fps
✓ +4 fpsElectronic Shutter Burst
Canon EOS 5D Mark III6 fps
Nikon D50010 fps
✓ +4 fpsMaximum Shutter Speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
Nikon D5001/8000s (Mechanical) / 1/32000s (Electronic)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIINo Internal IBIS
Nikon D500No Internal IBIS
03
Video Capabilities
Maximum recording resolution, frame rate capabilities, internal bit depth, and I/O
Max Video Resolution
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I
Nikon D5004K30 Cropped
Supported Frame Rates
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1080p30 ALL-I at maximum sustained frame rate
Nikon D5004K30 Cropped at maximum sustained frame rate
Color Bit Depth & Sampling
Canon EOS 5D Mark III8-bit 4:2:0 H.264
Nikon D5008-bit 4:2:2 Clean HDMI
Log Gamma & Cinema Profiles
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFull Cinema Log Profile Suite
Nikon D500Full Cinema Log Profile Suite
Audio & HDMI I/O
Canon EOS 5D Mark III3.5mm Stereo Microphone, 3.5mm Headphone Monitor, Clean HDMI Output
Nikon D5003.5mm 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
Canon EOS 5D Mark III1x CompactFlash + 1x SD UHS-I
Nikon D5001x XQD + 1x SD UHS-II
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIOptical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Nikon D500Optical Viewfinder (100% coverage)
Battery Life (CIPA Rated)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 shots
Nikon D5001240 shots
✓ +290 shotsBody Weight (with Battery & Card)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III950 g
Nikon D500860 g
✓ 90g LighterDimensions (W × H × D)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III152.0 × 116.4 × 76.4 mm
Nikon D500147.0 × 115.0 × 81.0 mm
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