Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D7000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D7000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D7000 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III were released 2012 and Nikon D7000 was released 2010. 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 III 2012
Nikon D7000 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D7000 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 III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D7000 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 III has a 22,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7000 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840
Nikon D7000 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 38 % larger resolution than Nikon D7000. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600
Nikon D7000 100-25600

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 III
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7000

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 III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7000 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Nikon D7000 6

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 III and Nikon D7000 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 III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 22% heavier than Nikon D7000 and its 780 gr (or 1.72 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb
Nikon D7000 780 gr
1.72 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D7000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D7000, 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 III
Nikon D7000
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Nikon D7000
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Release Year 2012 2010
Release Date 2012-03-02 2010-09-15
MSRP 3499 USD 1200 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
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 5760 x 3840 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ EXPEED 2
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
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 61 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 III
Nikon D7000
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Frames per second 6 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 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
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7000
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 1050 shots
Width 152 mm 132 mm
Height 116 mm 105 mm
Depth 76 mm 77 mm
Weight 950 gram 780 gram