Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Nikon
D700

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800

Nikon D700

88
Winner

Nikon D700
"Fast and accurate 51 point auto-focus even in low light"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's auto-focus
"Clean, artifact-free low ISO output with good resolution and detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D700

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,303 ISO
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.72x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed
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
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 21 MP vs 12.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 70% more detail in your photos
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
Weight Lighter 850 g vs 1,074 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Size Slightly smaller 152x114x75 mm vs 147x123x77 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 125 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3"
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $2,130.11 vs $2,649.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $519 cheaper (around 20% less)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Nikon D700
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 2,303 ISO vs 1,815 ISO
Help
 The D700 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Focus points Many more focus points 51 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 80.0 vs 79.0
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 5 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 30% faster continuous shooting
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
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.71x
Help
 Almost the same
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 1000 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 197 ms vs 206 ms
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D700 Learn more about
the Nikon D700
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
83 vs 88
Explain scores
Nikon D700 Nikon D700
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D700.

advice

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I am considering either the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D700,
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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
D700:2,303 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
D700:80.0
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
5D Mark II:0.71x
D700:0.72x
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
D700:23.5 bits
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Weight Heavy Help
5D Mark II:850 g
D700:1,074 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
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
5D Mark II:3.9 fps
D700:5 fps

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
5D Mark II:152x114x75 mm
D700:147x123x77 mm
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Thickness Thin Help
3"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
5D Mark II:$2,130.11
D700:$2,649.00
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
25,600 ISO
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
5D Mark II:98%
D700:95%
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
5D Mark II:850 shots
D700:1000 shots
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
5D Mark II:1
D700:15
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
5D Mark II:206 ms
D700:197 ms
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
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
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 D700
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 D700
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the D700
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 Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the D700
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
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D700
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D5100 vs the D700
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$888 - $1,129 body only

$1,033 - $1,283 with 18-55mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available
Compare the K-5 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the K-5 vs the D700

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

Nikon D700 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D700.

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D700
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D700
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D700

discussion

Showing 18 comments

Alwynjsmit (7:08 AM, May 14, 2012)
And so? There are some photographers who thrive on stills and don't do video. If you like it, good for you. But don't expect the D700 to lose against the 5d mk2 just because it doesn't have a feature you happen to value so much. Both are very good cameras otherwise they wouldn't both be in such demand. Both have their likes and dislikes.
 
Alwynjsmit (7:02 AM, May 14, 2012)
I also valued 'sharpness' when I was a beginner. Now I'm a bit more advanced and know to look past such trivial things. My advice to you is learn your D3100 front to back and improve your skills so that you can comment with an open mind and some level of gravity behind your statements. I have also learnt to look past sample images loaded on the web. Stop pixel peeping
 
Adhitz_69 (9:22 AM, March 02, 2012)
D700 
The best price we've seen cheaper (around 20% less)
really ?????????????????
 
Avatar for juls ky juls ky (8:24 AM, January 12, 2012)
wow the d700 won and it doesn't even have video
 
Ibnul (7:18 AM, December 24, 2011)
Just return Canon 5D mark ii and got the Nikon D700. Canon is not for me. I do lot of night shooting and motion photography. Tried canon didn't work for me. Loving the Nikon D700. It's fast, lot more faster with the battery grip. Canon should fix the ISO noise,focusing, capturing pictures on memory card (it's slow compare to Nikon). Picture quality for canon is glossy but Nikon's pictures are more like natural. Yes Canon has  24 MP but you need it if your shooting picture for billboard. Having HD video on Canon is cool but who ever does still photography,  I don't think they use the Video feature a lot. Man these two are both professional still camera not professional video camera. Canon can only capture 12 minute move clip.  Do you think it's reasonable for capturing professional video? For Nikon it has everything except the video feature & 24 MP. In my knowledge for Digital still photography better ISO noise, shutter speed, capturing picture on memory card are important. Just like the film photography. It's your call :) 
 
treepop (3:27 AM, December 23, 2011)
This is a good comparison.  While I don't agree with its usage in every other comparison I have looked at, I wonder...Where is the 75 point boost from the 1080p video on the 5D Mark II?  You can't use it in the comparison of the D7000 and the D700 and omit it from this comparison.   Either Omit it on everything or put it on everything.  Additionally, if used I believe video functionality should be given a MAX of 25 points. The iPhone 2 has 1080p now!
 
Hgdcmn (0:13 AM, December 17, 2011)
these two bodies are wonderful cameras but everyone should know this; D700 is much more user friendly controls...
 
Theredrider78 (2:34 AM, October 12, 2011)
Suck it up Canon users.
 
Theredrider78 (2:32 AM, October 12, 2011)
Maybe your just a Canon fanboy.  
 
Avatar for Rockadell Rockadell (2:52 PM, September 24, 2011)
The first link you provided is comparing the Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D.
Not the 5D mark ii
 
cegb (5:35 AM, September 19, 2011)
According to the samples images, it seems to me that Canon results are better in terms of sharp photos. This also is helpful in order to obtain better color depth. I'm a nikonist (or I want to be one), I got one Nikon D3100 but I want to improve my camera soon. I'm not so concerned about shooting at high ISO, I'm most concerned about getting impressive photos (nature, landscapes, fine art photography). Am I going to switch Nikon for Canon? Should I?
 
Avatar for bertbopper bertbopper (6:19 AM, March 29, 2011)
As for the image quality: the software is key IMO. Nikon's built in JPEG conversion and NX2 have a huge advantage over Canon's. They eliminate ALL aberation without having to worry about it. Try Lightroom or Aperture on a wide angle with a 5D mkII: fringes. When you eliminated them at the corners, they pop up somewhere else. In the Nikon-NX workflow they just don't exist. I get much sharper corners on wide-angle with my D700 than with my 5D. This is what gives the D700 a medium-format like quality in the images, not may Full Frames share. Combine that with the awesome Tilt-Shift lenses available for Full Frame (they are harder to find and more expensive in medium format), and the Nikon platform is a good replacement for most work we did on the system camera, more so than most medium format digital ones can do. And 12 megapixel is just saving 40% on post production time, file storage, computing speed. The rare occasion the 12MP is not enough, twice a year, we rent a D3x.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (7:33 PM, November 19, 2010)
One last point, I don't think we need to debate this much. Both camera's are very good obviously, we're just quoting one particular reviewer's findings, you're welcome to disagree with them and make your own decision based on another reviewer's findings.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (7:32 PM, November 19, 2010)
You also mention sharpness - something to consider here is that each manufacturer sharpen's images to different amounts. Improving an image's sharpness is trivial using in-camera settings or in post. Some people have the view that camera's should do less sharpening, so that the photographer can do the sharpening themselves and obtain and overall higher quality image.

However, improving the amount of noise in an image in post is much more difficult.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (7:25 PM, November 19, 2010)
I'm sure there are reviews favoring either camera. Snapsort's image quality comparison is based on tests from DxOMark. DxOMark's tests claim that the cameras are extremely close (80 vs 79 on overall quality score), with the D700 ahead at high ISO. DxOMark's measure of image quality includes: color depth, dynamic range, and noise at high ISO.

For me personally, image quality at high ISO is the only important factor, because most DSLR's image quality at ISO 100 exceed my needs, but most fall short at high ISO which is needed to shoot in low light.

The D700 destroys the 550D at high ISO, I don't see how you can even compare them. Can you link to specific images where you think the 550D is ahead of the D700?
 
Brad4 (6:45 PM, November 19, 2010)
Yes, Nikon D700 is a little better in noise, but only at high iso.
But in the other test it doesn´t look like that D700 has better image quality....more to the contrary
Look here: http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/nikon_d700_vs_canon_eos_5d/
And for 5D mark II look here:
http://www.photographybay.com/2008/12/27/canon-5d-mark-ii-vs-nikon-d700-in-depth-iso-comparison/#more-3887
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS5DMarkII/
In other comparsion you can see, that D700 is like low-entry face to face with eos 550D.
Canon eos 550D has better noise, sharpnes, color, everithyng.
Look here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:24 PM, November 17, 2010)
How do you conclude the 5D has better image quality from that article?

I just skimmed it, but this quote, "But while the D700 is delivering preferable results to the EOS 5D overall...", and the sample images seem to indicate the D700 has a slight advantage.

They're both clearly incredible cameras, with great image quality at high ISO, but I think its generally accepted that the D700 outperforms the 5D at high iso.
 
Brad4 (4:14 PM, November 17, 2010)
Nikon D700 has better image quality then D5? Realy?
Contrary is the case,
look on this comparsion:
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D700/noise.shtml