Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Nikon
D4

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D4

Nikon D4

99
Winner

Nikon D4

Reasons to buy the Nikon D4

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,965 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
89.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.7 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.1 EV
Screen size
 Large screen
3.2"
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.70x
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

83
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"The 'denser' build and slightly chunkier grip on the EOS 5D Mark II does make it feel that bit more substantial than the EOS 50D, you know there's something special about it from the moment you lift it. That said it's also lighter than an EOS-1D series (obviously) and therefore is more portable for it."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
True resolution
 High true resolution
21 MP
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Thickness
 Thin
3"

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
True resolution Higher true resolution 21 MP vs 15.9 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Size Much smaller 152x114x75 mm vs 160x157x91 mm
Help
 More than 40% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 3" vs 3.6"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 850 g vs 1,340 g
Help
 Around 40% lighter
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $2,198.00 vs $5,999.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $3,801 cheaper (2.7x less)
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.71x vs 0.70x
Help
 Almost the same
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 125 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Nikon D4
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 2,965 ISO vs 1,815 ISO
Help
 The D4 has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 89.0 vs 79.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
Help
 Around 10% larger screen
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 11 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 3x faster continuous shooting
Focus points Many more focus points 51 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.1 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Battery life Much longer battery life 2600 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 More than 3x more shots per battery charge
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 204,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO
Help
 The D4's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Color depth Better color depth 24.7 bits vs 23.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1 more bits of color
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D4's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 98%
Help
 Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Nikon D4 Learn more about
the Nikon D4
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
83 vs 99
Explain scores
Nikon D4 Nikon D4
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D4.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D4,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Phoenix-Mayet 4 days ago
Leica M9 vs Nikon D4

I take portraits of people with tattoos so I need to be able to capture small tattoo details as ...
2
votes
by Char-Sevig last month
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Mark II

I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-...

One person recommends the Canon 5D Mark II:

"I recently upgraded from the XSi to the 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. As I'm sure you know, ..."
0
votes
by Poti-Jouseevis-Potgieter last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures

3 people recommend the Canon 600D:

" If you are a "beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures" I would recommend ..."

" If you are completely new to DSLR photography then having a 5D2 will give you a very steep learn..."

" The 5D Mark II is a far superior camera to the 600D.  But if you're going to be doing sport and ..."
0
votes
by Kostas-Nomikos last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

Which is better for video shooting?
0
votes
by ZeroXR last week
Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 60D

I am considering a future upgrade later on down the line between the 5D Mark II and the 60D. To ...

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
5D Mark II:1,815 ISO
D4:2,965 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
D4:89.0
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
D4:24.7 bits
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
5D Mark II:0.71x
D4:0.70x
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Weight Heavy Help
5D Mark II:850 g
D4:1,340 g
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
5D Mark II:1
D4:15
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
5D Mark II:206 ms
D4:208 ms
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
5D Mark II:6,400 ISO
D4:12,800 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D4
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the D4
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Focus points Has slightly more focus points
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the D4
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Size Is slightly smaller
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D7000 vs the D4
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Weight Is slightly heavier
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D700 vs the D4
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D4
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Pro DSLR

$5,000 - $5,930 body only
Shutter lag Has significantly less shutter lag
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS-1D Mark IV vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS-1D Mark IV vs the D4

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability More lenses available
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Nikon D4 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 1D X

Canon EOS 1D X

Pro DSLR

$6,799 - $6,800 body only
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag
Battery life Significantly shorter battery life
Weight Heavier
Compare the EOS 1D X vs the D4
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only
Battery life Much longer battery life
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Compare the D3X vs the D4

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D4
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D4
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D4

discussion

Showing 3 comments

Pieropereira (2:38 AM, January 10, 2012)
Thanks Parksed, I really work on studio and try to get the most of size and resolution from my photographs rather than high speed shooting or high ISO. Maybe I have to move to medium format to upgrade from my D300
 
Parksed24 (0:35 AM, January 10, 2012)
I believe that 16megs allows for a much better low noise/high ISO quality.  The D4 shoots very crisp photos in the higher ISO range compared to other cameras from what I've heard.

Guess it depends on what you'd like to use your camera for, I'm particularly interested in live band shots and night time photography so (provided I could come up with THAT much extra money) I would go for the D4.  

I shoot a D7000 now and that does pretty darn well in low light situations, so I'm imagining the D4 should blow it away.
 
Pieropereira (9:05 PM, January 09, 2012)
I use Nikons since 1972 but at these point why should i spend  US$6K on a 16Meg D4 if Canon 5DMII sells at US$2.5K and throws 21MEGS!!!
Can somebody answer this question?