So my friend is looking to get a Full Frame SLR - either the Nikon D700 or the Canon 5D Mark II. Both are new cameras, are about $3000. They both offer different features, so I'm writing a comparison to compare the two to help him decide which one he wants.
Personally, I have a Nikon D700, so I'm leaning more forward to that one. But Terriyaki has the original Canon 5D and he loves it, and they have added a bunch of new features, the main one being that it offers full 1080P HD video.
| Specs | Nikon D700 | Canon 5D MkII |
| MSRP | $3000 | $3100 |
| Lowest Price | $2750 | $3100 |
| Resolution (MP) | 12.1 | 21.1 |
| Sensor | CMOS | CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED | DiGiC 4 |
| Lens Types | All lenses (DX lenses are cropped to 5 MP) | Canon EF |
| Video Recording | No | 1080P up to 4GB |
| Card Type | CF Type I | CF Type I and II |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| ISO | 100 - 25600 | 50 - 25600 |
| LCD | 3", 920,000 pixels | 3", 920,000 |
| AF Points | 51 | 9 + 6 assist |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 3.9 fps |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| Wireless Commander | Yes | No |
| Bracketing | 2 - 9 frames | |
| Timers | 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds | 2, 10 seconds |
| VF Coverage | 95% | 98% |
| In-Camera Editing | Trim | |
| Shots per Charge | ~ 1000 | |
| Weight | 995 g (35 oz) | 810 g (29 oz) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
So that being said, they each have different pros
The 21.1 MP maximum resolution of the Canon 5D Mark II allows for huge pictures that you can blow up into huge prints. Further, the huge resolution can be used like a zoom, since you can crop your picture A LOT and still have a fairly high resolution picture. Furthermore, if your larger picture is grainy and you reduce the size, the effects of the noise will be reduced. However with the 21.1MP you get HUGE files and you won't be able to fit many pictures in your CF Card. That being said, you don't always have to shoot at 21.1MP.
The Canon 5D Mark II can record 1080P HD Video for up to 4GB. That's the first dSLR to record full HD video. The Nikon D90 can only record 720p video, and for a maximum of 5 minutes. I did have some problems with taking video on the D90, so I'm not sure if the process of taking video on the 5D MkII will is the same. Honestly, I'd much rather have a regular High Def Video camera to record video, but this is a very neat feature to have on your camera.
The Canon 5D Mark II also has a really large ISO range, from 50 - 25600. The Nikon D700 can't go as low, and has a range of 100 - 25600, so the difference isn't that big. I can't say much about how much noise there is on the 5D, but I have a few friends (Canon users) that were impressed by how low the noise is even at very high ISOs on the Nikon D700.
The Nikon D700 can use any lens in the Nikon line up even the DX lenses. The DX lenses are made for the smaller sensors of say the D300, D90 and D60 but will still work on the D700. There will be some vignetting, but the D700 will still be able to use the lens, but at a lower resolution (5MP) as it automatically crops out the vignetting (equalling to the 1.5x crop). Note that some lenses will vignette but will not be cropped, such as my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. But that being said, you will have many lenses to choose from if you have already invested in a previous Nikon camera. My friend said if you use a lens other than an EF lens, the 5D may break. That being said, Canon's line up of prime lenses far surpasses Nikon's line up.
The Nikon D700 has 51 autofocus points as does the D3 and D300. The 5D only has 9 useable AF points and it has been the same for years. I don't understand why they don't add more AF points in any of their cameras (besides the pro cameras). Terriyaki who owns a 5D is jealous as well. I also like the way the VF looks in the D700 more than the 5D, and how it displays the AF points.
Now onto some less important features. The Nikon D700 has a timer that can do 2, 5, 10 or 20 second, while the 5D MkII only has 2 or 10 second. The D700 can burst at 5FPS, where as the 5D MkII can only do 3.9FPS. And, the D700 has a built-in flash which can be used to wirelessly command multiple SpeedLight flashes. By itself, the built-in flash is pretty useless. The D700 also weighs almost 200 grams more than the 5D.
Finally there is the price point. They are basically the same price, but at the time of this writing, I was unable to find the 5D for less than $3100 in Canada. I purcahsed the D700 for $2750 from Aden Camera.
For myself, I would honestly rather have the D700 as myself and my dad have already previously invested in Nikon. I also like how the D700 feels and is laid out than the 5D. Using the 5D, or the other prosumer Canon dSLR's is a bit awkward for me due to the placement of the wheels. However if I were to purchase my first dSLR I would definately consider the 5D.
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