Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D5300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D5300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark II is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5300 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II were released 2008 and Nikon D5300 was released 2013. That is a 5 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 D5300 2013

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 D5300 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 D5300 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 D5300 has 24 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 D5300 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D5300 has a 14 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark II. 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 D5300. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D5300 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50-25600
Nikon D5300 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5300 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5300 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

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 D5300

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 D5300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 3,9
Nikon D5300 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D5300 can shoot movies.

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.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 77% heavier than Nikon D5300 and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 850 gr
1.87 lb
Nikon D5300 480 gr
1.06 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D5300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D5300, 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 D5300
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D5300
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
Release Year 2008 2013
Release Date 2008-09-17 2013-10-17
MSRP 2699 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
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 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 21,1 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
ISO Range 50 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 12
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 D5300
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 39
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 D5300
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 920000 1037000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
Frames per second 3,9 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
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 D5300
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Optional with ML-L3 or WR-R10
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D5300
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 600 shots
Width 152 mm 125 mm
Height 114 mm 98 mm
Depth 75 mm 76 mm
Weight 850 gram 480 gram