Nikon D3200 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D3200 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D3200 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D3200 | 2012 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 2008 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 ** |
Nikon D3200 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
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 D3200 has a 24,2 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 D3200 |
24,2 MP
24064000 pixels 6016 x 4000 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
21,1 MP
21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744 |
Nikon D3200 has a 14 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark II. 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 D3200. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D3200 | 100-6400 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 50-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200
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 D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D3200 | 4 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 3,9 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II 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 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 68% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D3200 | 505 gr 1.11 lb |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 850 gr 1.87 lb |
Nikon D3200 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 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 D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Name | Nikon D3200 | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Release Year | 2012 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2012-04-19 | 2008-09-17 |
MSRP | 699 USD | 2699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6016 x 4000 pixels | 5616 x 3744 pixels |
Megapixels | 24,2 MP | 21,1 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
ISO Range | 100 - 6400 | 50 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Autofocus Motor | No | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 11 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 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 D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 98% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Frames per second | 4 fps | 3,9 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 | 12 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
H.264 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter |
Yes Optional |
Remote Control |
Optional
|
Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D3200 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 540 shots | 850 shots |
Width | 125 mm | 152 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 114 mm |
Depth | 77 mm | 75 mm |
Weight | 505 gram | 850 gram |