Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Manufacturing

Nikon D3 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3 were released 2007 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released 2008. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3	2007
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	2008

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 **
Nikon D3	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3 has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D3	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	21,1 MP 21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 74 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3	200-25600
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50-25600

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 Nikon D3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3	9
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	3,9

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 Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Sadly, the Nikon D3 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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 53% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark II and its 850 gr (or 1.87 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3	1300 gr 2.87 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	850 gr 1.87 lb