Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5 Camera Comparison

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5 camera comparison 

I have received my EOS-1D X Mark II and took it on an Upper Amazon/Peruvian Highlands photo tour, gave the camera a grueling test and will embark on more real world wildlife photo shoots for further testing. You can read my review, see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. Keep checking back for the latest photos and comments of the new body. More to come.

At the bottom of this post is a video by Tony Northrup comparing the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Nikon D5 cameras. Both bodies are exceptionally well made and produce incredible images in the right hands. The choice boils down to personal preference and time and money already invested in one's equipment bag. 

Nikon announced their long awaited D5 camera just in time for the CES 2016. Almost 4 years to the day when they announced the D4 back in CES 2012. Canon released their EOS-1D X Mark II camera on February 1, 2016. Below is a brief comparison of the main specs between the two cameras. The EOS-1D X camera was announced back in October 2011 and my readers know I have picked it as the best DSLR for sports and wildlife photography four years in a row.

Nikon D5 main specifications :

• Two D5 bodies - D5 XQD and D5 CF
• New 20.82 MP CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 5.4K processing engine
• 153 AF points, 99-point cross sensor, f/8 corresponding 15 points
• Continuous shooting (continuous shooting up to 200 frames in 14bit lossless compression RAW) -12 fps in the AF / AE tracking
• Continuous shooting speed with mirror lockup, 14 fps (AE / AF fixed)
• 4K UHD video at 30fps
• ISO 100-102400. Extended to 3280000
• 3.2-inch 2.36 million dots LCD touchscreen
• Memory card slots - dual XQD or CF slots
• Shutter speed - 30 seconds to 1/8,000 sec
• Finder coverage - 100% (FX), magnification: 0.72x
• SuperSpeed - (USB 3.0 Micro-B terminal)
• Battery - EN-EL18a
• Weight (battery and cards) - XQD : 1405g. CF : 1415g
• List price - $6,500 in the U.S.A.
• Shipping date : Camera is available now

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II specifications :

• New 20.2 MP Canon sensor 
• ISO 100-51200. Expanded to 409600 
• New sensor technology subdividing high and low sensitivity pixels
• One slot for each card - CFast and CF memory slots 
• New, 61 point AF system 
• Dual DIGIC 6+ processors
• 15 stops of dynamic range
• Maximum burst rate 16 fps (14 fps w/o mirror lockup)
• 4K UHD video at 60fps
• 3.3 inch Super high resolution LCD
• USB 3.0 Micro-B terminal
• Finder coverage - 100%, magnification : 0.72x
• GPS and Intervalometer
• New LP-E19 battery. Backward compatible.
• New LC-E19 battery charger. Backward compatible.
• Unmatched weather sealing and ergonomics
• List price - $5999
• Shipping date : Camera is available now 

The Nikon D5 camera specs look good at first glance. The burst rate of 12 fps and 14 fps with mirror lockup and matches the Canon EOS-1D X but the Mark II exceeds with 14 fps and 16 fps respectively. 

Shooting at ISO 3280000 is playing the marketing numbers game but suffice to say the camera does have excellent ISO performance and both cameras are evenly matched at high ISO. Being a wildlife photographer, I hardly ever use ISO higher than 6400 out in the field. The noise level is simply unacceptable beyond that. Check out the the two cameras' ISO performance comparison.  

The Nikon D5's 153 AF points is just another big number designed to grab attention. The dedicated processor for AF is good and the 15 AF points usable @ f/8 is a more meaningful number. All of the EOS-1D X Mark II's 61 AF points are accessible @ f/8.  

Offering a QXD or CF memory card version is a good idea because not many photographers shoot enough 4K video to justify buying a collection of new and expensive memory cards, but the downside is having two separate cameras. Sadly, the Nikon D5's 4K video capability is another marketing also-ran. Canon offers one slot each for CFast and CF memory card in the same camera and its 4K video capabilities are at least worth having.

The Nikon D5's list price of $6,500 is slightly over-priced in today's pricing formula. I still remember paying $8,000 for the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III back in 2008 and now the EOS-5D Mark III, with a list price of $2,499, beats the old champ's performance in so many ways. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II's list price of $5,999 is simply a 'bargain'.

Canon and Nikon Logos - Then and Now

* * *  Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5 camera comparison  * * *

My readers know I am The Wildlife Ho-tographer and have been using Canon equipment for over 25 years. Over the decades, I have just about owned or used all of Canon's film and digital camera and lens. You can see my latest equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com.

Canon was founded in 1934 with the original name of Seikikgaku Kenkysho. One of their first products was a prototype camera called the Kwanon. In 1947, the company changed its name to Canon Camera Company and subsequently renamed Canon Inc. in 1969.

Recently, Canon announced their latest, top-of-the-line EOS-1D X Mark II camera and I just came back from my Upper Amazon/Peruvian Highlands photo tour field testing the new body. You can read my review of the camera here. Their top-of-the-line APS-C camera - EOS-7D Mark II was announced about 2 years ago.

Nikon was founded in 1917 and the company celebrates its centenary next year. Their name was changed to Nikon around the early 1950s and the current and familiar yellow and black logo appeared in 2003.

In the last few months, Nikon has released their most advanced cameras, the D5 and D500, a top-of-the-line full frame and APS-C camera respectively.

Is The new D5 DSLR Nikon's Fastest Shooting Camera?

Nikon F3H and Nikon D3, side by side

* * *  Canon EOS-1D X Mark II vs Nikon D5 camera comparison  * * *

How far has Nikon cameras come in terms of burst rate, as measured by frames per second, in the last twenty years? Remember the Nikon F3H, the Super high speed film camera announced in 1996?

Its 13fps burst rate actually exceeds the new Nikon D5 DSLR firing at 12 fps. The F3H camera was a one-off modification, based on the Nikon F3 and the MD-4 motor drive. Its primary goal was for sports photographers covering the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics in Japan.

Fast forward twenty years, and now the new Canon 1D X Mark II camera can fire 14fps and 16 fps with mirror lockup. Are we comparing apples to oranges? Do we really need all that speed?

How To Photograph Very Fast Moving Objects

Keel-billed Toucan 'frozen in mid air' in Costa Rican rainforest

Alright, I know the videos put out by DigitalRev are more entertaining than enlightening but once in a while one must have some levity in life. If you want to try some of the tricks with your camera, it helps to use the Nikon D5 or Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, which can shoot 4K videos and still shots at 12 fps and 14 fps speeds respectively to capture almost anything in motion. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Nikon Professional Services Offers Tips on D5 Camera

Nikon D5 full frame camera

Nikon Professional Services released a Technical Solutions Guide with tips for the recently announced D5 camera. For a comparison of the Nikon D5 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, click here.

Topics Include :

• Useful Features
• Sports AF Edition
• Movie Edition

Nikon Will Announce D5 Camera At CES 2016

Nikon D5 20MP DSLR camera

* * *  Nikon D5 camera officially announced. See it here  * * *

The top-of-the-line Nikon D5 camera will be announced at the CES 2016 starting tomorrow in Las Vegas. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera should follow soon, possibly in February or at the latest early March. More to come. Keep checking back.

Nikon D5 expected specifications :

• Two D5 body types - D5 XQD-type and D5 CF-Type
• New 20.82 MP CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 5.4K processing engine
• 153 AF points, 99-point cross sensor, F8 corresponding 15 points
• Continuous shooting (continuous shooting up to 200 frames in 14bit lossless compression RAW) -12 fps in the AF / AE tracking
• Continuous shooting speed with mirror lockup, 14 fps (AE / AF fixed)
• Highest ISO - 102,400
• Extended sensitivity - Hi5 - ISO 3,280,000
• 3.2-inch 2.36 million dots LCD touchscreen
• Memory card slots - D5 (XQD-Type) is double XQD, D5 (CF-Type): double CF
• Shutter speed - 30 seconds to 1/8,000 sec
• Finder coverage - 100% (FX), magnification: 0.72x
• SuperSpeed - (USB 3.0 Micro-B terminal)
• Battery - EN-EL18a
• Weight (battery and cards) D5 (XQD-Type) : 1405g. D5 (CF-Type) : 1415g
• Shipping starts in March, 2016

Nikon Top-of-the-Line D5 Camera Photos Leaked

* * *  Read the announcement of the Nikon D5 camera here  * * *

In my earlier post, I have written about the Nikon D5 camera perhaps being announced for the upcoming CES 2016 in Las Vegas in January.

Now leaked photos of the new camera are out. This new DSLR is being mass produced right now at Nikon's Sendai plant in Japan. That means the announcement cannot be far behind and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera will soon follow. Keep checking back. More to come . . . .

Nikon D5 20MP full frame camera

Nikon D5 Coming To CES 2016 in Las Vegas?

* * *  See how the Nikon D5 stack up against the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II  * * *

A few days ago, Nikon officially announced the development of the D5 camera. End of story. No more information was provided. Their top-of-the-line D4 camera was announced at the CES in 2012.

Perhaps Nikon is deliberately coy about the D5 announcement to generate more excitement. If history is any guide, they may just announced the D5 at the CES 2016 in January in Las Vegas. Canon is expected to announce their EOS-1D X Mark II camera after Nikon, perhaps in mid Q1, 2016.

The rumored Nikon D5 specs :

• New 20MP FX sensor
• New focusing module with larger coverage and 153 AF points
• Native high ISO of 102,400
• 15 fps
• Body design similar to the D4s
• 4K video 60/30fps
• Full HD slow motion

My readers know I have picked the EOS-1D X camera as the best full frame DSLR body three years in a row for sports and wildlife photography. Although the Mark II is scheduled to come out in a few short months, not everyone needs or wants to upgrade to the latest and greatest. There is a seller on eBay selling the 1DX for $3,899. The current model is a fine camera and at almost half the price of the new body, it is really a bargain. I expect the EOS-1D X Mark II to list for just below $7,000.

You will not find a link to this eBay item because I do not accept any ad or commissioned link on my Blog or website and do not recommend any particular company. I am completely unbiased in my reporting and have no conflict of interest. You can easily find the listing on eBay yourself. You can see my works with this camera on MichaelDanielHo.com

More Talk About Canon EOS-1D X Mk II Camera

Canon EOS-1D X Mk II full frame camera

* * *  Read the latest post on the Canon EOS-1D X Mk II camera  * * *

The Canon EOS-1D X camera was announced in October 2011 and delivery started in the second half of 2012. I have owned this DSLR from day one for about 3 years now and made it my main wildlife camera body since. My readers know I have picked this to be the best full frame DSLR for sports and wildlife photography. The camera received a major firmware upgrade in January 2014. When the action is a bit further away, I use the EOS-1D Mk IV and the EOS-7D Mk II, since I am not a big fan of extenders.

As a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for 25 years and the EOS-1D series since 1989, I have followed the line with keen interest for many years. My biggest 'complaint' about the camera is the 18MP sensor does not offer enough pixels when it comes time to crop the photos. Since the EOS-1D X camera went into production, a few technological advancement have been introduced, including new processors, sensors and Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, etc. Canon plans to introduce the EOS-1D X Mk II some time late 2015 or early 2016.

Pre-production models are already in limited circulation among photographers who signed non-disclosure agreements. The Mk II camera will employ a new, higher pixel sensor, perhaps in the low to mid 20MP, with an unparalleled AF system and improved ergonomics. Rumored to be slighter larger in size but perhaps maintaining roughly the same weight due to improvement in material and a new battery. The main processor may be either the souped-up, dual DIGIC 6+ or even the DIGIC 7 with additional processor(s) for an advanced metering system. Dynamic range is rumored to surpass any DSLR on the market since Canon still has to 'catch up' with the dynamic range of Sony's best sensor, for those who chase the numbers.

An unparalleled high ISO performance and new AF system will be most welcomed. The upcoming Nikon D5 is rumored to have 173 AF points. Canon will offer a brand new AF system on the new camera, with many additional AF points and more importantly, unmatched number of double cross type points. A new viewfinder may accompany the new AF system. Canon has experimented with OLED displays on their test cameras and it may be considered for the Mk II as well. The new camera will be an evolutionary step up from the Series I model. Canon is known as a conservative company and occasionally breaks their mold but I am always prepared to be surprised. Keep checking back for the latest information as I receive them.     

DigitalRev 'Reviews' The New Nikon D5 Camera

The following video from DigitalRev is a tongue-and-cheek presentation of the upcoming Nikon D5 camera. According to Nikon Rumors, the new camera may include 4K video, 20MP full frame sensor, native ISO of 102,400, 15 fps and 173 AF points. Canon is also expected to announce their EOS-1D X Mk II camera some time later this year.