Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D780
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 5D Mark II is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D780 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II were released 2008 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 2008 |
Nikon D780 | 2020 |
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 Mark II | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D780 | 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 Mark II has a 21,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D780 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
21,1 MP
21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744 |
Nikon D780 |
25 MP
24337152 pixels 6048 x 4024 |
Nikon D780 has a 16 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark II. 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 D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 50 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 50-25600 |
Nikon D780 | 100-51200 |
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 Mark II
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D780
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 3,9 |
Nikon D780 | 12 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D780 can shoot movies.
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.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 1% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 850 gr 1.87 lb |
Nikon D780 | 840 gr 1.85 lb |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D780 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D780, 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 Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Name | Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Nikon D780 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Release Year | 2008 | 2020 |
Release Date | 2008-09-17 | 2020-01-07 |
MSRP | 2699 USD | 2299 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Resolution | 5616 x 3744 pixels | 6048 x 4024 pixels |
Megapixels | 21,1 MP | 25 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
ISO Range | 50 - 25600 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | Yes | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch 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 Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 2359000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 98% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Frames per second | 3,9 fps | 12 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | No |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Optional |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1) |
Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) | Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Nikon D780 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 850 shots | 2260 shots |
Width | 152 mm | 144 mm |
Height | 114 mm | 116 mm |
Depth | 75 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 850 gram | 840 gram |