Nikon D70s vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D70s and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D70s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark III is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D70s were released 2005 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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
Nikon D70s 2005
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D70s has a "DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a "FF"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D70s 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D70s has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 22,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D70s 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 268 % larger resolution than Nikon D70s. 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

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D70s. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D70s has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D70s 200-1600
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 Nikon D70s
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D70s can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D70s 3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Sadly, the Nikon D70s 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.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2,09 lb) which is 40% heavier than Nikon D70s and its 679 gr (or 1,5 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D70s 679 gr
1,5 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2,09 lb