Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Nikon
D5100

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D5100

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

73
"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

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
79.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.7 bits
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
True resolution
 High true resolution
21 MP
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Nikon D5100

62
Runner-up

Nikon D5100
"Image quality is definitely the D5100's trump card. It offers effectively the same image quality as the higher-end D7000, at a lower cost."
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's image-quality
"Unintimidating interface, but with plenty of manual control."
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 1,183 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder size Much larger viewfinder 0.71x vs 0.51x
Help
 More than 90% larger viewfinder
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
True resolution Higher true resolution 21 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 206 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 98% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Color depth Better color depth 23.7 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 850 shots vs 660 shots
Help
 Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 500 ms
Help
 20% less delay when turning on
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 1.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Lens availability More lenses available 169 lenses vs 125 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Size Smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 152x114x75 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 80.0 vs 79.0
Help
 Almost the same
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Weight Lighter 560 g vs 850 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Lowest price Cheaper $499.99 vs $2,198.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,698 cheaper (4.4x less)
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
73 vs 62
Explain scores
Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

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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 Brooke-Baker last week
Canon T2i vs Nikon D5100

I need to be able to play around with low and high light situations, take beautiful still shots ...
0
votes
by David-Brown last month
Canon T2i vs Nikon D5100

Beginner, looking to get first DSLR.  A major concern is whether Canon or Nikon has better avail...
0
votes
by augfig last month
Canon T2i vs Nikon D5100

We will take pictures of sons at home, on the farm etc. We like making movies too and taking pic...
0
votes
by desy-boo last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony SLT A65

Hello, I am having trouble figuring out if I want to stick with the Sony or if I want to go with...

4 people recommend the Sony SLT A65:

" A65 is much better than D5100 Has a OLED viewfinder (the best of viewfinders) More dinamic r..."

" The Sony has a much bigger view finder, which helps a lot when composing shots. Sure, the Nikon..."

"If i was you id when with nikon most there camera bodies how very little image noise at 1600 and 3..."
One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

" its all about ISO and better GLASS"

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
D5100:80.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
D5100:23.5 bits
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
5D Mark II:3.9 fps
D5100:4 fps
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Focus points Few focus points Help
5D Mark II:9
D5100:11
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$830 - $897 body only

$1,199 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Cross type focus points Has slightly more cross-type focus points
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D5100
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D700 vs the D5100

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points
Focus points Many more focus points
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Weight Lighter
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Thinner
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D5100

discussion

Showing 15 comments

impartial one (7:15 PM, February 19, 2012)
Guys really, the full-frame sensor beat the cropped!
 
impartial one (7:12 PM, February 19, 2012)
Actually it says the Canon won!
 
Chetjarvon (2:55 AM, January 18, 2012)
5D Mark II: full frame sensor. D5100: cropped sensor. 5D Mark II: 21.1 mp. D5100: 16.1 mp. 5D Mark II: used by some of the worlds greatest photographers and most pros that use Canon. D5100: Used by college students and entry level photographers. Need I say more? There's a reason why the pros choose this camera. I hate this site, lol.
 
Steve (2:43 AM, December 24, 2011)
Canon is popular because its cheaper.  At my school, more people use Canon cause they don't have the money for Nikon.
 
Avatar for Hammad Hammad (5:47 AM, November 27, 2011)
That fact that Nikon wins, is a clear indication that snapshot needs to re-adjust its point system. One area I looked at it popularity. 20,000 vs 98,000 in favour of Nikon against 5D. I think this should be more an amount you spend on camera not the units. Example you spend 3 times more on 5D so 1 Cannon = 3 Nikon. Obviously the rating system needs some serious work! I own D5100 and I know it probably isn't as good as 5D.
 
Matt (10:59 AM, November 14, 2011)
if you look on ebay the price is much less
 
Guest (2:46 AM, October 12, 2011)
Bah ha ha ha ha ha!  :D  How is this possible?  Guess all you Canon fans better be selling/ trading up to Nikon gear.
 
Viewer (9:12 AM, October 07, 2011)
Hard to believe that the intermediate level D5100 can compete with a Pro DSLR, otherwise why bother with the more expensive option
 
Viewer (9:07 AM, October 07, 2011)
I absolutely agree, if you go by Snapsort's reviews, then Nikon generally is much better than Canon. This might be true, but how do you explain that Canon is so popular.... Great website anyway.
 
Sathyabeleyur (5:29 PM, October 02, 2011)
I am the nikon user. Still I think snapsort website is supports nikon camera only. Comparing  Nikon D5100 v/s Canon 5D mark ||, it says nikon D5100 is best. How it is possible?
Canon 5D mark || has Full frame sensor & world wide winner. It is so silly & partial. Please give true reviews.
Thanks
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:37 PM, June 29, 2011)
We've fixed that up, thanks for pointing out the issue!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:38 PM, June 29, 2011)
Thanks for pointing that out Ed, we'll double check and fix that up!
 
Ed (8:19 AM, June 29, 2011)
Also, Canon 5D Mark II color depth is 23.7 bits, dynamic range 11.9 eV, "image quality" 80, etc... all your stats are from the 5D version 1, a camera introduced in 2005...
 
Ed (8:12 AM, June 29, 2011)
Your statistics for the Canon 5D Mark II are wrong.  Some of the stats most notably ISO performance are the numbers from the classic Canon 5D (should be 1815, not1368).  Please update the stats for a more accurate comparison.
 
Papa (4:41 PM, May 29, 2011)
2 sweet camrea's...   Nikon looks amazing and has it all, but the price is little out of reach for me.