Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D2Xs

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D2Xs. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark II is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D2Xs is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II were released 2008 and Nikon D2Xs was released 2006. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2008
Nikon D2Xs 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D2Xs has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D2Xs 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 21,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D2Xs has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744
Nikon D2Xs 12,2 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 72 % larger resolution than Nikon D2Xs. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D2Xs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D2Xs has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50-25600
Nikon D2Xs 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D2Xs

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D2Xs can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 3,9
Nikon D2Xs 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Unfortunately Nikon D2Xs does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D2Xs weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 41% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark II and its 850 gr (or 1.87 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 850 gr
1.87 lb
Nikon D2Xs 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D2Xs Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D2Xs, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D2Xs
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Release Year 2008 2006
Release Date 2008-09-17 2006-06-01
MSRP 2699 USD 4699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5616 x 3744 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 21,1 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
ISO Range 50 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 2.5”
Screen dots 920000 235000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.86× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Frames per second 3,9 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D2Xs
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 3800 shots
Width 152 mm 158 mm
Height 114 mm 150 mm
Depth 75 mm 86 mm
Weight 850 gram 1200 gram