Canon EOS 5DS R vs Nikon D810A

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5DS R and Nikon D810A. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5DS R is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D810A is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2015.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5DS R 2015
Nikon D810A 2015

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 R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D810A 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 R has a 51 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D810A has 36 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5DS R 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792
Nikon D810A 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Canon EOS 5DS R has a 39 % larger resolution than Nikon D810A. 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 D810A has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS R. Nikon D810A has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS 5DS R has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5DS R 100-6400
Nikon D810A 200-12800

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 R
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D810A

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5DS R can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810A can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5DS R 5
Nikon D810A 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5DS R and Nikon D810A 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 R weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 6% heavier than Nikon D810A and its 880 gr (or 1.94 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5DS R 930 gr
2.05 lb
Nikon D810A 880 gr
1.94 lb

Canon EOS 5DS R vs Nikon D810A Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5DS R and Nikon D810A, 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 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Name Canon EOS 5DS R Nikon D810A
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Release Year 2015 2015
Release Date 2015-02-06 2015-02-10
MSRP 4249 USD 3799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
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 8688 x 5792 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 51 MP 36 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 6 EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
ISO Range 100 - 6400 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 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 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1229000
Touch screen No No
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD TFT-LCD (RGBW)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Frames per second 5 fps 5 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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 5DS R
Nikon D810A
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 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (Wired and wireless) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5DS R
Nikon D810A
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 700 shots 1200 shots
Width 152 mm 146 mm
Height 116 mm 123 mm
Depth 76 mm 82 mm
Weight 930 gram 880 gram