- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Sony SLT-A99
- Nikon D800
- Nikon D600
- Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- Canon EOS 6D
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (May, 2012)As to other aspects of image quality, they are also top notch: colours are pleasing, tonality is superb, and dynamic range is wide.
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Apr, 2012)The main LCD screen offers a fantastic VGA resolution with 1,040K dots, so you may find yourself using it more often than you thought.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Nikon D4 compared to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III
MP15.9
Full frame
Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)The end result is a fantastic DSLR that performs flawlessly and delivers excellent image quality.
22.1 MP
Full frame
Rated 82% by by c|net (Jan, 2009)And the larger, higher-resolution LCD is much better for gauging sharpness, though you still really need a third-party viewfinder for shooting video; I'd love to see a peaking feature, which would help a bit.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 22.1 MP   | 30 MP |
D4 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)The Nikon D4 is a new professional-grade digital SLR camera with a sixteen-megapixel FX sensor, EXPEED 3 processing engine, upgraded Multi-CAM 3500FX auto-focus module, a brand new 91,000-pixel RGB metering sensor and a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body.
EOS 5D Mark III by DPReview (Mar, 2012)Although the specification on the box says 1080p, with regards resolution the 5D Mark III is a huge let down and the $600 Panasonic GH2 offers a far more detailed 'true 1080p' image (whilst maintaining a relatively large sensor for video and interchangeable lens mount).
sensor size
D4 by Hankk (May, 2012)How I wish Nikon would allow the main AF system to focus in the far corners too: those 51 points still only cover about 20% of the camera's full frame!
EOS 5D Mark III by DPReview (Mar, 2012)The new model takes many user interface elements of Canon's flagship APS-C DSLR the EOS 7D and combines them with a 22MP full-frame CMOS sensor that is capable of capturing high quality output up to very high sensitivities.
viewfinder size
D4 by R.-Adams--Via-Corsa-Car-Lover-s-Guidebooks (Jan, 2012)Overall I like the changes, and love the ability to see changes inside the viewfinder.
EOS 5D Mark III by DPReview (Mar, 2012)One figure hidden away in every SLR's spec is the size of the viewfinder (often in a format that makes comparison between competing models impossible).
body size
160 x 157 x 91 mm
152 x 116 x 76 mm
D4 by college (Sep, 2012)Before purchasing this I had concern of its weight but I am totally satisfied with its weight distribution in my hand.
EOS 5D Mark III by C.-Concepcion (Apr, 2012)The camera is not heavy I would say but with the lens and the first all day shooting I felt the weight.
focus points
| 0 | 61 | 70 |
D4 by W.-Kurtz--B.-Kilgore (Aug, 2012)The vertical shooting controls are great as are the new focus points selection "nubs.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
DxOMark image quality
D4 by W.-Kurtz--B.-Kilgore (Aug, 2012)It has excellent dynamic range and does very well in low light.
EOS 5D Mark III by DPReview (Mar, 2012)The Canon EOS 5D Mark III's out-of-camera JPEGs offer good colors, tonality and dynamic range with a very smooth highlight roll-off but in terms of pixel-level detail the images are not quite as good as we might expect from a 22MP sensor with a Canon L-lens mounted in front of it.
DxOMark low light performance
D4 by D.-KIMBALL--D4sNutz (Mar, 2012)For me, the low light performance is key - anyone can take decent pictures with point and clicks in the daytime, and most any camera can take excellent creative shots if the user understands his or her camera.
EOS 5D Mark III by DL (Jan, 2013)Canon 5diii (with 28~105mm L, and 70~300mm L lens) to my eyes has most natural color, very sharp, like high end audio tube analog components vs digital sound (Nikon), unbelievable low light performance, great auto mode, great focus speed, you do not need much skill to take great photos.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 120 ms | 200 ms |
D4 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)The Nikon D4 lets you dial in shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds and has a Bulb mode as well for exposure times of practically any length, which is very good news if you are seriously interested in night photography.
EOS 5D Mark III by J.-Howell (Apr, 2012)Shutter lag and mirror blackout is now faster than before and leads to a more instant, responsive feel while shooting.
continuous shooting
D4 by N.-Paoni (Oct, 2012)I find the rapid burst rate on the camera to be extremely useful, as I shoot in small bursts, even when the camera is tripod mounted, and find that the second and third shots are almost always clearer, due to less body vibration when the shutter is held down as opposed to initially pressed.
EOS 5D Mark III by DPReview (Mar, 2012)In terms of continuous shooting the EOS 5D Mark III is not quite on the same level as dedicated sports and action cameras such as Canon's EOS-1D Mark IV, but nevertheless its 6 frames per second in Continuous Hi mode still make it a capable tool for shooting fast moving subjects.
battery life
2,600 photos
950 photos
D4 by S.-S.-Malhotra (Oct, 2012)Battery life: the CIPA numbers do NOT accurately reflect the actual shooting time.
EOS 5D Mark III by c|net (Jan, 2009)The Mark II uses a new battery pack, the LP-E6, which seems to last a reasonably long time: it's CIPA rated at between 750 and 850 shots, depending upon temperature.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III
| Significantly better overall image quality | 89.0 | vs | 81.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 10% better image quality | |||
| Many more photos per charge | 2,600 | vs | 950 |
| 1650 more shots; Longer battery life | |||
| Significantly faster rapid fire | 11 fps | vs | 6 fps |
| More than 80% faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| Significantly higher light sensitivity | 204,800 ISO | vs | 102,400 ISO |
| 2x higher light sensitivity; Avoid blur in low light situations | |||
| Significantly better dynamic range | 13.1 ev | vs | 11.7 ev |
| More than 10% better dynamic range | |||
| More color depth | 24.7 bits | vs | 24.0 bits |
| Almost the same | |||
| Much more highly reviewed by consumers | 90.73% | vs | 87.16% |
| Almost the same | |||
| Less noise at high ISO | 2,965 ISO | vs | 2,293 ISO |
| Around 30% higher low light performance | |||
Advantages compared to the Nikon D4
| Significantly higher resolution screen | 1,040 k dots | vs | 920 k dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 10% higher resolution screen | |||
| Significantly more cross-type focus points | 41 | vs | 15 |
| 26 more cross type focus points; Easier and faster focusing in low light | |||
| Significantly less delay taking photos | 120 ms | vs | 208 ms |
| More than 40% less shutter lag; Avoid missing spontaneous moments | |||
| Higher resolution | 22.1 MP | vs | 15.9 MP |
| Around 40% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| More phase-detection focus points | 61 | vs | 51 |
| 10 more phase detection focus points; Faster autofocus in reasonably lit settings | |||
| Much thinner | 76 mm | vs | 91 mm |
| Around 20% thinner | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Mar, 2012 | vs | Jan, 2012 |
| Announced date 1 months later | |||
| Much smaller | 152 x 116 x 76 mm | vs | 160 x 157 x 91 mm |
| More than 40% smaller | |||
| Significantly lighter | 950 g | vs | 1,340 g |
| Around 30% lighter | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Nikon D4 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | ||
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 | Rated by 34 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by W.-Kurtz--B.-Kilgore (Aug, 2012) Rated 100% by by Hankk (May, 2012) Rated 100% by by Jason-Jorgensen (Sep, 2012) | Rated by 177 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by rbtk (Oct, 2012) Rated 100% by by rbtk (Oct, 2012) Rated 100% by by Mike-C (Sep, 2012) | |
iso
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by Dave--Davelandweb (Jun, 2012)That being said, I am blown away that the D4 comfortably shoots up to a 12,800 ISO; I've even shot up to the H2 setting...granted, it's fairly grainy, but it is close to the equivalent of what 3200 ISO on the D300 was.
Nikon D4 | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)Nikon has released the WT5 dongle to coincide with the launch of the D4 which will cost £649 and will allow you to control your camera remotely from an iPhone or iPad, giving you control over a huge range of settings including the ability to click on the screen to move the focus point, change the ISO sensitivity and focus type.
Nikon D4 | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)In the past few years Nikon has deservedly gained a reputation for manufacturing DSLRs with excellent ISO performance and the D4 is no exception.
sensor
Nikon D4 | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)Indeed, we’d even go so far as to say that the D4 offers slightly better ISO performance than the D3s – primarily on account of being able to offer the same high level of noise control while simultaneously offering more resolution.
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by Hankk (May, 2012)It could well also be a bug in Aperture's handling of the D4 RAWs; I haven't tried it with Lightroom yet.
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by Travis-Biggs (Apr, 2012)I went with the D4 for it's high ISO capabilities and it certainly does not disappoint.
lens
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by Paul-Derby (Oct, 2012)The D4 also lets me use a 180 mm f/2.8 Nikkor as an option, too.
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by N.-Paoni (Oct, 2012)For macros I have the D4 paired with the Nikkor micro 105mm VR lens and this is a terrific combination.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Mar, 2012)Like its predecessor, video on the 5D Mark III has excellent colour rendition and a shallow depth of field effect which is more pervasive on all kinds of shots due to the large sensor.
focus
Nikon D4 | Rated 100% by by Peter-M.-Galano--PMGI will not offer a technical review, except to say I use the D4 for the amazing sensor and image processing and manual focus lenses from Zeiss and Voightlander.
Nikon D4 | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)While the D4’s contrast-detect AF system isn’t quite as snappy as some recent compact system cameras are, it's still pretty responsive.
Nikon D4 | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Jan, 2012)The D4 is capable of shooting full-res images at a maximum continuous shooting speed of 11fps, although to retain full control over AF and exposure control this drops to 10fps.
crosstype
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Mar, 2012)The 5D Mark III comes with a new AF system that is, in terms of specification, very close to the flagship EOS 1D X. It comes with 61 points, 41 of which are cross-type points and, uniquely to this sensor, five of them are diagonally sensitive (for these double cross-type, imagine an X overlaid on a + shape).
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Mar, 2012)The 5D Mark III only loses out to the Nikon D4 and D800 when it comes to use with slower lenses or long lens/teleconverter combinations, in that its cross-type points can only be used with lenses that are F5.6 or brighter.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony SLT-A99 Image stabilization |
 | 2 | Nikon D800 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark |
 | 3 | Nikon D600 4-way tie: Has a built-in flash |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 5D Mark II 5-way tie: Largest sensor |
 | 5 | Canon EOS 6D OK benchmarked shot to shot times |
 | 6 | Nikon D3S Least noise at high ISO |
 | 7 | Canon EOS 1D X Fastest rapid fire mode |
 | 8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 More contrast-detection focus points |
