Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS 5DS
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D500 and Canon EOS 5DS. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D500 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5DS is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D500 were released 2016 and Canon EOS 5DS was released 2015. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D500 | 2016 |
Canon EOS 5DS | 2015 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5DS 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 D500 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Canon EOS 5DS | 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 D500 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5DS has 51 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D500 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
51 MP
50320896 pixels 8688 x 5792 |
Canon EOS 5DS has a 143 % larger resolution than Nikon D500. 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 D500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D500 | 100-51200 |
Canon EOS 5DS | 100-6400 |
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 D500
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5DS
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D500 | 10 |
Canon EOS 5DS | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D500 and Canon EOS 5DS 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 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 8% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D500 | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Canon EOS 5DS | 930 gr 2.05 lb |
Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS 5DS Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D500 and Canon EOS 5DS, 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 D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Name | Nikon D500 | Canon EOS 5DS |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Release Year | 2016 | 2015 |
Release Date | 2016-01-05 | 2015-02-06 |
MSRP | 1999 USD | 3699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
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 | 5568 x 3712 pixels | 8688 x 5792 pixels |
Megapixels | 21 MP | 51 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | DUAL DIGIC 6 |
Image |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 8 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | 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 Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 153 | 61 |
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 D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3.2” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 2359000 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | ClearView II TFT-LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.) | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 5 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 Highlight 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 D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
H.264 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC XQD |
Compact Flash SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) | Yes (Wired and wireless) |
GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D500 |
Canon EOS 5DS |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 1240 shots | 700 shots |
Width | 147 mm | 152 mm |
Height | 115 mm | 116 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 860 gram | 930 gram |