Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III

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

Manufacturing

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

Nikon D3 were released 2007 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released 2012. That is a 5 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 III 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 **
Nikon D3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 III has 22,3 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 III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 84 % 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 III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3 200-25600
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 Nikon D3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark III

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 III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3 9
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6

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 III. 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 37% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark III and its 950 gr (or 2.09 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb

Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 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
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Name Nikon D3 Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Release Year 2007 2012
Release Date 2007-08-23 2012-03-02
MSRP 4999 USD 3499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 5760 x 3840 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 22,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 5+
Image
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
ISO Range 200 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 61
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 922000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Frames per second 9 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Remote Control Yes Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 4300 shots 950 shots
Width 160 mm 152 mm
Height 157 mm 116 mm
Depth 88 mm 76 mm
Weight 1300 gram 950 gram