Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D80

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D80. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D80 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

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 D80 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 D80 has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 120 % larger resolution than Nikon D80. 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 III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D80. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D80 has 100 to 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 III
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D80

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 D80 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

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 III. Unfortunately Nikon D80 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.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 42% heavier than Nikon D80 and its 668 gr (or 1.47 lb).

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D80 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D80, 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 D80
Name	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Manufacturer	Canon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Release Year	2012	2006
Release Date	2012-03-02	2006-08-09
MSRP	3499 USD	999 USD
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Camera Type	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
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	CCD
Resolution	5760 x 3840 pixels	3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels	22,3 MP	10 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC 5+	Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
ISO Range	100 - 25600	100 - 3200
White Balance Presets	6	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
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	61	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 III	Nikon D80
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3,2”	2,5”
Screen dots	1040000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	Clear View II TFT LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.71×	0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Frames per second	6 fps	3 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	13 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial	Multi Center Weighted Spot
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 D80
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	H.264	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Memory Card	Compact Flash SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7	No
Remote Control	Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)	Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
GPS	Yes Optional with GP-E2 unit	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Nikon D80
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger	Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	950 shots	600 shots
Width	152 mm	132 mm
Height	116 mm	103 mm
Depth	76 mm	77 mm
Weight	950 gram	668 gram