Nikon D800e vs Canon EOS 5DS

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800e and Canon EOS 5DS. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D800e is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5DS is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D800e were released 2012 and Canon EOS 5DS was released 2015. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800e 2012
Canon EOS 5DS 2015

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 **
Nikon D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5DS 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 D800e has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5DS has 51 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Canon EOS 5DS 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792

Canon EOS 5DS has a 39 % larger resolution than Nikon D800e. 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 D800e has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon D800e has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800e 100-25600
Canon EOS 5DS 100-6400

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 D800e
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5DS

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800e 6
Canon EOS 5DS 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D800e and Canon EOS 5DS 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 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D800e and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb
Canon EOS 5DS 930 gr
2.05 lb

Nikon D800e vs Canon EOS 5DS Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800e and Canon EOS 5DS, 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
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Name Nikon D800e Canon EOS 5DS
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Release Year 2012 2015
Release Date 2012-02-07 2015-02-06
MSRP 3299 USD 3699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 8688 x 5792 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 51 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DUAL DIGIC 6
Image
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 61
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Frames per second 6 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Wired and wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS 5DS
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 700 shots
Width 146 mm 152 mm
Height 123 mm 116 mm
Depth 82 mm 76 mm
Weight 900 gram 930 gram