Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Nikon
D3S

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

Nikon D3S

95
Winner

Nikon D3S
"The D3's proportions make it almost square, and thanks to a magnesium shell it is literally as solid as a brick."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3S's build-quality
"Class-leading high ISO performance and incredibly versatile ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity range"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3S's iso-noise

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3S

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
3,253 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
82.0
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.70x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

83
"the EOS 5D Mark II has an awful lot to recommend it to the serious photographer."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's overall-performance
"the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality - especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's image-quality

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 Significantly higher true resolution 21 MP vs 12.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 70% more detail in your photos
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Size Much smaller 152x114x75 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
 More than 40% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 3" vs 3.5"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Color depth Better color depth 23.7 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Weight Significantly lighter 850 g vs 1,240 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $2,130.11 vs $5,196.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $3,067 cheaper (2.4x 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 D3S
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 3,253 ISO vs 1,815 ISO
Help
 The D3S has a slight edge (0.8 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Battery life Much longer battery life 4400 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 More than 5x more shots per battery charge
Focus points Many more focus points 51 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 9 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Overall image quality Better image quality 82.0 vs 79.0
Help
 Almost the same
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 0.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO
Help
 The D3S's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D3S'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
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 197 ms vs 206 ms
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D3S Learn more about
the Nikon D3S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
83 vs 95
Explain scores
Nikon D3S Nikon D3S
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3S.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D3S,
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 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?
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 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 ...
0
votes
by Ahmed-Khalil last month
Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 60D

I'm a beginner with such kind of cameras. I want to have my own camera to shoot my short films a...

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
D3S:3,253 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
D3S:82.0
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
5D Mark II:Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
D3S:Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
D3S:23.5 bits
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
5D Mark II:0.71x
D3S: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
D3S:1,240 g
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
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
D3S:15
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
5D Mark II:206 ms
D3S:197 ms
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
5D Mark II:6,400 ISO
D3S:12,800 ISO
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $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 D3S
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
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the D3S
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only
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 D3S
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D7000 vs the D3S
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the D3S
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3S
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Pro DSLR

$5,000 - $5,930 body only
Shutter lag Has slightly 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 D3S

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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 flip-out screen
Lens availability More lenses available
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Nikon D3S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Overall image quality Better image quality
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the D3X vs the D3S
Nikon D3

Nikon D3

Pro DSLR
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the D3 vs the D3S

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D3S
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D3S
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D3S

discussion

Showing 0 comments