Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS Rebel XSi is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi were released 2008 and Nikon D5 was released 2016. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008
Nikon D5 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5 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 Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D5 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 Rebel XSi has a 12,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Nikon D5 has a 70 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600
Nikon D5 100-102400

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 Rebel XSi
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5
Nikon D5 14

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5. Sadly, the Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support this.

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 D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 170% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XSi and its 524 gr (or 1.16 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Nikon D5, 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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Name Canon EOS Rebel XSi Nikon D5
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Release Year 2008 2016
Release Date 2008-01-24 2016-01-05
MSRP 799 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
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 4272 x 2848 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 12,2 MP 21 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 3 EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 102400
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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 153
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 230000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Frames per second 3,5 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Battery Pack LP-E5
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 3780 shots
Width 129 mm 160 mm
Height 98 mm 159 mm
Depth 62 mm 92 mm
Weight 524 gram 1415 gram