Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800e

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800e. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800e is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012
Nikon D800e 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 D800e has 36,3 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 D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800e has a 63 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. 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 D800e 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 D800e

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 D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Nikon D800e 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 D800e 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 6% heavier than Nikon D800e and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800e Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800e, 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 D800e
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Nikon D800e
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-03-02 2012-02-07
MSRP 3499 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5760 x 3840 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ EXPEED 3
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
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 D800e
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
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 51
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
FX (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
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3,2”
Screen dots 1040000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
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, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
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 D800e
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
HDMI Output Yes Yes
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, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800e
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 900 shots
Width 152 mm 146 mm
Height 116 mm 123 mm
Depth 76 mm 82 mm
Weight 950 gram 900 gram