Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D 2005
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 184 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D800 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D 3
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D800. Sadly, the Canon EOS 5D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 1% heavier than Canon EOS 5D and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D800, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Name Canon EOS 5D Nikon D800
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Release Year 2005 2012
Release Date 2005-08-22 2012-02-07
MSRP 3299 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4368 x 2912 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 12,7 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED 3
Image
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Frames per second 3 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 900 shots
Width 152 mm 146 mm
Height 113 mm 123 mm
Depth 75 mm 82 mm
Weight 895 gram 900 gram