Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon D800
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M5 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS M5 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS M5 were released 2016 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS M5 | 2016 |
Nikon D800 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Canon EOS M5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M5 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-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 M5 | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
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 M5 has a 24 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 M5 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D800 |
36,3 MP
36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912 |
Nikon D800 has a 51 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M5. 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 M5 | 100-25600 |
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.
Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M5 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M5
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 M5 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS M5 | 9 |
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 M5 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.
Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 111% heavier than Canon EOS M5 and its 427 gr (or 0.94 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS M5 | 427 gr 0.94 lb |
Nikon D800 | 900 gr 1.98 lb |
Canon EOS M5 vs Nikon D800 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M5 and Nikon D800, 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 M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Name | Canon EOS M5 | Nikon D800 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2016-09-15 | 2012-02-07 |
MSRP | 979 USD | 2999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 7360 x 4912 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 36,3 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 7 | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
No (5-axis for video only) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 49 | 51 |
Lens Mount |
Canon EF-M See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 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 M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3.2” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 1620000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.62x | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2360000 | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Frames per second | 9 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 5 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 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 M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with Bluetooth and NFC) |
Yes Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A) |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired, wireless, or smartphone) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS M5 |
Nikon D800 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 295 shots | 900 shots |
Width | 116 mm | 146 mm |
Height | 89 mm | 123 mm |
Depth | 61 mm | 82 mm |
Weight | 427 gram | 900 gram |