Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D850 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III were released 2012 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012
Nikon D850 2017

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 III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D850 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 III has a 22,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D850 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 105 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. 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 D850 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600
Nikon D850 64-25600

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 Mark III
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850

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 III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Nikon D850 9

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 III and Nikon D850 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.

Nikon D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 6% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark III and its 950 gr (or 2.09 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D850, 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 III
Nikon D850
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Nikon D850
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Release Year 2012 2017
Release Date 2012-03-02 2017-07-25
MSRP 3499 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
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 5760 x 3840 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 46 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 25600 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 14
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
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 61 151
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 III
Nikon D850
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Frames per second 6 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 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
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 1840 shots
Width 152 mm 146 mm
Height 116 mm 124 mm
Depth 76 mm 79 mm
Weight 950 gram 1005 gram