Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS 5DS

Nikon D800

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5DS is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5DS were released 2015 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS 5DS	2015
Nikon D800	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 5DS	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800	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 5DS has a 51 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Canon EOS 5DS	51 MP 50320896 pixels 8688 x 5792
Nikon D800	36,3 MP 36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912

Canon EOS 5DS has a 39 % larger resolution than Nikon D800. 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

Nikon D800 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS 5DS	100-6400
Nikon D800	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 5DS
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5DS	5
Nikon D800	6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D800 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 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS 5DS	930 gr 2.05 lb
Nikon D800	900 gr 1.98 lb