As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Canon EOS 5D is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless. The Canon EOS 5D's top rivals come from Canon (such as the EOS 5D Mark II and the EOS 60D) and Nikon (such as the D7000 and the D90)

compared toPro DSLR competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 5D compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly more color depth (22.9 bits vs 22.2 bits), slightly larger viewfinder (0.71x vs 0.62x) and has a significantly larger sensor (full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.1 EV vs 11.7 EV), has a much smaller screen (2.5" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.7 MP vs 17.9 MP).

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
3 years newer
$2,400 (body only)
$2,799 - $2,839 24-105mm lens

Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 5D)

  • None found

common strengths of the 5D Mark II and 5D

  • Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
  • Thin: 3" vs 3"
arrow Compare the 5D Mark II vs the 5D

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D
5 years newer
$899 - $1,304 (body only)
$1,138 - $1,342 18-135mm lens

Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the 5D)

  • More noise at high ISO: 813 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.59x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the 60D and 5D

  • Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
arrow Compare the 60D vs the 5D

Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D
4 years newer
$1,329 - $1,821 (body only)
$1,498 - $1,800 28-135mm lens

Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the 5D)

  • More noise at high ISO: 854 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Worse color depth: 22 bits vs 22.9 bits

common strengths of the 7D and 5D

  • Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
  • Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
arrow Compare the 7D vs the 5D

Canon EOS 50D

Canon EOS 50D
3 years newer
$1,282 - $1,299 (body only)
$1,625 28-135mm lens

Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots
  • Has live view

Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the 5D)

  • Significantly more noise at high ISO: 696 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Worse color depth: 21.8 bits vs 22.9 bits
  • Worse image quality: 63.0 vs 71.0

common strengths of the 50D and 5D

  • Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
  • Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
arrow Compare the 50D vs the 5D

Nikon D700

Nikon D700
2 years newer
$2,750 (body only)

Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the 5D)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • More dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 11.1 EV

Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the 5D)

  • None found

common strengths of the D700 and 5D

  • Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Fairly small: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
  • Thin: 3" vs 3"
arrow Compare the Nikon D700 vs the Canon EOS 5D

Canon EOS 40D

Canon EOS 40D
2 years newer
$1,000 (body only)

Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Has live view
  • Shoots significantly faster: 6.5 fps vs 3 fps

Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the 5D)

  • Significantly more noise at high ISO: 703 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.2x14.8mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.59x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the 40D and 5D

  • Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 152x113x75 mm
  • Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
arrow Compare the 40D vs the 5D

compared toEntry-level DSLR competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 5D compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (1,368 ISO vs 793 ISO), has slightly more color depth (22.9 bits vs 22.1 bits), much larger viewfinder (0.71x vs 0.54x), has a much larger sensor (full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm) and has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs pentamirror).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 20fps), has significantly narrower dynamic range (11.1 EV vs 12.5 EV), has a much smaller screen (2.5" vs 3.0"), has a much lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 1,040k dots) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.7 MP vs 16.1 MP).

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000
5 years newer
$1,097 (body only)
$1,227 55-200mm lens

Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • More dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 11.1 EV
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None

Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the 5D)

  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • More noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.62x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the D7000 and 5D

  • Very low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 22.9 bits
  • Above average viewfinder size: 0.62x vs 0.71x
arrow Compare the Nikon D7000 vs the Canon EOS 5D

Canon Rebel T2i

Canon EOS Rebel T2i
4 years newer
$499 - $949 (body only)
$579 - $867 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the 5D)

  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Much more noise at high ISO: 784 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller viewfinder: 0.54x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the T2i and 5D

  • None found
arrow Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D

Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i
5 years newer
$609 - $800 (body only)
$709 - $1,180 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the 5D)

  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Much more noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller viewfinder: 0.53x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the T3i and 5D

  • None found
arrow Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 5D

Nikon D90

Nikon D90
3 years newer
$869 - $897 (body only)
$1,099 - $1,200 18-105mm lens

Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • More dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 11.1 EV
  • Significantly higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the 5D)

  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Significantly more noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.71x

common strengths of the D90 and 5D

  • Relatively low noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Above average viewfinder size: 0.63x vs 0.71x
  • Large sensors: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
arrow Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Canon EOS 5D

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100
5 years newer
$650 - $749 (body only)
$600 - $750 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • More dynamic range: 13.6 EV vs 11.1 EV
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None

Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the 5D)

  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Much smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.71x
  • Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the D5100 and 5D

  • Very low noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 22.9 bits
arrow Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Canon EOS 5D

Canon Rebel T1i

Canon EOS Rebel T1i
3 years newer
$445 - $629 (body only)
$504 - $609 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the T1i (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 20fps vs None
  • Significantly higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the T1i (vs the 5D)

  • Much more noise at high ISO: 663 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • Worse color depth: 21.7 bits vs 22.9 bits

common strengths of the T1i and 5D

  • None found
arrow Compare the Rebel T1i vs the EOS 5D

compared toMirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 5D compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is significantly less noisy at high ISO (1,368 ISO vs 796 ISO), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), much larger viewfinder (0.71x vs 0.24x), has a much larger sensor (full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm) and much more lenses available (125 lenses vs 3 lenses).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 60fps), has a much smaller screen (2.5" vs 3.0"), has a much lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 1,230k dots), has significantly narrower dynamic range (11.1 EV vs 12.7 EV) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.7 MP vs 16 MP).

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X-Pro1
6 years newer

Significant advantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 1,230k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the 5D)

  • Much fewer lenses available: 3 lenses vs 125 lenses
  • Much smaller viewfinder: 0.24x vs 0.71x
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

common strengths of the X-Pro1 and 5D

  • Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Pentaprism
  • Large sensors: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
arrow Compare the Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs the Canon EOS 5D

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N
6 years newer
$599 - $600 (body only)
$698 - $699 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 5D)

  • Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 125 lenses
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
  • No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism

common strengths of the NEX-5N and 5D

  • Very low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Good image quality: 77.0 vs 71.0
  • Good color depth: 23.6 bits vs 22.9 bits
arrow Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Canon EOS 5D

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5
4 years newer
$569 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 5D)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None
  • Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots

Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 5D)

  • Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 125 lenses
  • Much more noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

common strengths of the NEX-5 and 5D

  • Relatively low noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 1,368 ISO
  • Good image quality: 69.0 vs 71.0
  • Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 22.9 bits
arrow Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Canon EOS 5D