Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D780

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Manufacturing

Nikon D780 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark III is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released 2012. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D780	2020
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 D780	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 D780 has a 25 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 D780	25 MP 24337152 pixels 6048 x 4024
Canon EOS 5D Mark III	22,3 MP 22118400 pixels 5760 x 3840

Nikon D780 has a 10 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. 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 D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D780	100-51200
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 D780
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 D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780	12
Canon EOS 5D Mark III	6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 13% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D780	840 gr 1.85 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark III	950 gr 2.09 lb