Explore 94 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lower noise at high ISO

1,815 ISO vs 1,256 ISO

The 5D Mark II has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance

Significantly larger viewfinder

0.71x vs 0.61x

More than 30% larger viewfinder

Less shutter lag

206 ms vs 251 ms

Around 20% less delay when taking photos

Slightly thinner

3" vs 3"

Almost the same

Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Has in-camera HDR

Yes vs No

Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range

Significantly higher resolution screen

1,229k dots vs 920k dots

More than 30% higher resolution screen

Significantly larger screen

3.2" vs 3.0"

Around 10% larger screen

More dynamic range

13.7 EV vs 11.9 EV

1.8 f-stops more dynamic range

Video autofocus

Contrast detection vs None

Automatically focuses shooting video

Many more focus points

51 vs 9

Set focus accurately within the frame

Better image quality

83.0 vs 79.0

Around 10% better image quality

Significantly more lenses available

205 lenses vs 156 lenses

More than 30% more lenses available

More cross-type focus points

15 vs 1

Grab focus in difficult situations

Shoots faster

6 fps vs 3.9 fps

More than 50% faster continuous shooting

Higher true resolution

24 MP vs 21 MP

Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos

Better color depth

24.2 bits vs 23.7 bits

Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color

Has a built-in focus motor

Yes vs No

Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses

Has more storage slots

2 vs 1

More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards

Better viewfinder coverage

100% vs 98%

Almost the same

Smaller

136x107x76 mm vs 152x114x75 mm

More than 10% smaller

Slightly less startup delay

300 ms vs 400 ms

Around 30% less delay when turning on

Built-in flash

Yes vs No

A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light

Cheaper

$996.94 vs $2,485.00

The best price we've seen is $1,488 cheaper (2.5x less)

Slightly longer battery life

950 shots vs 850 shots

More than 10% more shots per battery charge

Lighter

675 g vs 850 g

More than 20% lighter

Learn more about
the Nikon D7100

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 83

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vs

85 Nikon D7100

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Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths

	Weather sealed
	Shoot in extreme weather

Minimal startup delay

5D Mark II:	400 ms
D7100:	300 ms

	Both have pentaprism viewfinders
	Pentaprism

	Fast max shutter speeds
	1/8000 of a second

Common Weaknesses

	No built-in GPS
	Missing geo-tagging

	Poor maximum light sensitivity
	6,400 ISO

	No flip-out screens
	Less flexible

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

Image quality data for the Canon 5D Mark II provided by DxOMark
Image quality data for the Nikon D7100 provided by DxOMark

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 70D

Pro DSLR

$899 - $999 body only

$1,069 - $1,149 with 18-55mm lens

Has a touch screen

Has a screen which flips out

Is thicker

Has slightly more startup delay

Compare the EOS 70D vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the EOS 70D vs the D7100

Nikon D5300

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$695 - $797 with 18-55mm lens

Has a screen which flips out

Is slightly smaller

Has a slower max shutter speed

Significantly less viewfinder coverage

Compare the D5300 vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the D5300 vs the D7100

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$615 body only

$600 - $1,025 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly heavier

Takes slightly lower resolution photos

Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the D7000 vs the D7100

Canon EOS 6D

Pro DSLR

$1,388 - $1,799 body only

$2,199 - $2,399 with 24-105mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has a slower max shutter speed

Has slightly more shutter lag

Compare the EOS 6D vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the EOS 6D vs the D7100

Nikon D610

Pro DSLR

$1,399 - $1,497 body only

$1,897 with 24-85mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has slightly better image quality

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the D610 vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the D610 vs the D7100

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,099 body only

$3,849 with 24-70mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity

Is significantly more expensive

Is significantly heavier

Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the D7100

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$999 - $1,041 body only

$1,099 - $1,562 with 28-135mm lens

Shoots faster continuously

Has slightly less shutter lag

Is slightly heavier

Takes slightly lower resolution photos

Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Compare the EOS 7D vs the D7100

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Nikon D7100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5500

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-55mm lens

Has a touch screen

Has a flip-out screen

No weather sealing

Lower resolution screen

Compare the D5500 vs the D7100

EOS 5D Mark II

Canon

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D7100

Nikon

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Showing 11 comments

Abey

(9:28 AM, June 26, 2014)

Im not really a fan of Canon nor Nikon,but in this instance ive stumbled apon this site cause i wanted to know is its really true that the Nikond7100 is far better than the Canon 5Dii , me an a good friend also pro photographer took some really good pics whole day , abit of everything action , wedding , food ect and the Nikon came out tops in terms of colour and resolution and its just plain true im not even a nikon fan ...the cANON WAS AN IS STILL MINE BY THE WAY ...IM NOT CHANGING IT ...all im saying is ,its better

Soctav

(8:16 AM, April 24, 2014)

I don't think this website favors one or an other. They have an algorithm that compares certain key features and give points for each. D7100 is not a better camera than 5dMark2. It is a better deal. Because the website takes the price into account as well. So you get more camera for the buck with d100 than with 5d mark2 and I am sure this si true. 5d is only slightly better and the price is way way larger. And in my opinion Canon always made better cameras but a lot more expensive than Nikon. So if you are an uncompromising professional, you wil go for Canon's top cameras. But if you can't afford Canon's best, you will probably be better buying Nikon.

rajeev sharma

(11:15 PM, April 06, 2014)

i think each one shoot whom they feel by his her fellings.our thought not equal.only a simple way bright contrast and colour make us confused.otherwise both r best.price is matter if we spend same as mark3 maybe its littlebit better.only one shot u paid 50% more.a passioner need a cam or time.low light doesnot metter

Saad Nadeem Hashmi

(7:56 AM, April 03, 2014)

Canon is Best

Peter Paul Poop

(7:10 AM, February 10, 2014)

nice compare...nikon is the best!

VotingHasChanged

(3:10 AM, November 28, 2013)

LMAO at all the butt hurt losers who wasted their money on the 5D!

Protographer

(2:40 PM, September 19, 2013)

This website is Nikon supporter or may be like Dpreview alike support Sony. For normal sense, full frame camera is always better then the crop sensor. Likewise full moon is brighter then the half moon.

Iulian

(11:44 AM, August 23, 2013)

I'm starting to think that this site is making Nikon look way good than Canon...

KENJI CHOI

(11:23 PM, June 11, 2013)

you can not compare $2475 vs $1179 = $1296 THAT'S BIG DOLLARS???????????????

vitalishe

(9:32 PM, June 08, 2013)

How is that a camera that costs 40% less is only slightly cheaper?
Also D7100 totally dominates D7000 and D7000 tied with 5DM2.
How in the world is this true?

David Jackson

(2:38 AM, March 29, 2013)

A TIE!? It's like the d7000 vs the mark 2 review was copied and pasted.

Nikon D7100

vs

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Reasons to buy the Nikon D7100

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

galleries

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Nikon D7100

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

vs

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 70D

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7000

Canon EOS 6D

Nikon D610

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5500

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discussion

Showing 11 comments