Based purely on specs, used only for landscapes: D800 or MKIII?

[justsomedude]

D800 is the obvious answer. It has everything that the 5D3 has, + more, and at a lower price. Most importantly, the D800 has wider dynamic range at low ISO, and captures way more detail.

The 5D3 is a sports / photojournalism / general purpose camera.

I'm selling all my gear right now and moving to Nikon for the D800.

Will you come back to Canon in six months when they release their high megapixel camera? :-*

+1, and exactly why I'm not selling my Canon gear... yet.

I'm going to wait and see how they respond. If the 7DII is a dud, or there's no FF high MP body by Xmas, I'll probably bail. But I at least have to give Canon a chance.

 

[Seamus]

That's the spirit!!!

 

[PhilDrinkwater]

People spend too long worrying about bodies when, for most, lenses will make the biggest difference. You buy into a system, not a body.

Now, for the last generation of cameras both Nikon and Canon had significant problem areas: resolution for the d700 wasn't fantastic and focussing for the 5dii wasn't fantastic. Both great cameras, but with problems.

Both manufacturers have fixed these problems now so they will both do a great job for anyone.

However, they both still have their advantages and disadvantages:

Canon has (outside of maybe the 12-24) better lenses. Be aware though that a significant amount of lendscape work is done at more than 24mm. The 5diii seems like the better generalist camera (you wouldn't really want to shoot a wedding with 36MP files) and for my photography that's important as I do weddings, studio beauty and landscapes.

Nikon has a cheaper body, more resolution, more dynamic range and maybe even better high ISO (yet to see).

Personally for my photography I believe lenses are more important than bodies and the same is true *for a large amount of photographers*. The key is to understand whether that is the case for you or not.

If lenses are more important, invest in Canon. If they're not or you are particularly attracted to landscapes, the d800e with 12-24 may be a great camea. However, be aware that you'll start being diffraction limited by f8 (so someone else has calculated) on the d800 so you might not get the resolution and DOF you really want unless you get T&S lenses.

I'm not knocking the d800 btw. I suspect it has the better sensor overall. Just be aware that the lens makes the photo. Consider what your photography will be limited by most.

Remember that 36MP is only useful if your lens can resolve it, and in that Canon have the edge. Don't fall into the trap of many people who come up to me at weddings and say "wow - that's a great shot - it must be a great camera!" when in reality the photographer > lens > body in most cases.

Good luck with your decision

(take a look at some of my work below - all with a 5dii)

 

[pharding]

Will you come back to Canon in six months when they release their high megapixel camera? :-*

Nobody knows when Canon will choose to respond. It is hard to justify waiting 9 months or more based upon what Canon might do. Canon rarely if ever does anything within a rumored time frame.

I have a 5D3 on order and I look forward to receiving it. I may sell some of my equipment and get the Nikon D800E after I rent one and test it myself on my typical subject. If Nikon had 17 mm tilt shift lens I would shift back to Nikon completely and sell my Canon gear.

 

[DavidRiesenberg]

But the question still stands. What if it will take a year? And they deliver 45mp? Will you switch back? And then maybe Nikon will release the D900 at 60mp? What then?

 

[Ricku]

D800 is the obvious answer. It has everything that the 5D3 has, + more, and at a lower price. Most importantly, the D800 has wider dynamic range at low ISO, and captures way more detail.

The 5D3 is a sports / photojournalism / general purpose camera.

I'm selling all my gear right now and moving to Nikon for the D800.

Will you come back to Canon in six months when they release their high megapixel camera? :-*

When Canon release their high MP camera, it still won't matter much, because I seriously doubt that they will be able to match the DR output of Nikon's (Sonys) new sensors.

You are mistaken if you think I'm moving to the D800 just for high MP.

But if Canon actually do manage to create a new sensor that can match (or even beat Nikon's), I will eat my words + socks.

 

[smirkypants]

But the question still stands. What if it will take a year? And they deliver 45mp? Will you switch back? And then maybe Nikon will release the D900 at 60mp? What then?

I was burned waiting for Canon to respond to the 200-400/f4 lens. I had been waiting since 2009, patiently knowing that Canon would give me the lens I wanted and that's a significant chunk of my professional career. It's still not out and rumors are that it will cost up to 70% more than the Nikon version and possibly double what you can buy a good used one for.

I wouldn't patiently wait for Canon to do anything anymore. Besides, the original poster has a Rebel and a kit lens so he has practically zero invested in Canon. I'd never buy a D800, but it would seem that for landscapes it seems more appropriate.

And I do find it a bit ironic that those howling "wait for Canon's response" often in the same breath say "you don't know what the D800 can do until all the evidence is in." As of now, there is plenty of evidence that the D800 will be better for certain types of photography and the Canon for other types. All you've got is a CR1 that Canon is working on a high MP camera.

I would wait until the end of the month and read the full reviews. Then make your decision and go out and try to make a career out of it.

 

[matto0]

I'm debating one way or the other on these and I've decided to let the dust settle because specs are just specs and while they are fun to look at they only tell part of the story.

Here's some food for thought for both sides:

Is the D800 is limited by the 36MP massive files? It has multiple modes (FX/DX/1.2 etc) and a small/medium/large resolution for each, so you could shoot FX (Full Frame) at 25MP if you'd like, and probably many will.

Nikon included the the D4 Metering in the D800, and has focal point metering, 5DMKIII doesn't (that said its not a deal breaker for me on the 5D)

D800 has Auto Focus up to F8, Canon is limited to F5.6, the D800 also has manual focus assist where apparently the focal point will light up when properly focused, I can't find too much info on this, and I can't find anything one way or the other for the 5D (the auto focus is a big deal)

Can't say much about low light on either one other then both currently appear to be great, we'll know this in a few weeks.

Lens, both companies have some great lenses and are competitive.

Ergonomics & ease of use - Supposedly Nikon has better ergonomics, lighter, etc. My canon has been fine and the MKII is easy to use the bottons etc., this seems to be more marketing then anything else. Ease of use, I've heard Nikon's are clunky and Canon's are great, I'm can't comment on the Nikon side, but Canon is easy to use.

Finally, the D800 is cheaper, it is!, now go look at their lens prices

All that said, I am considering jumping, yes Canon MAY come out with a high MP camera, but what will they cut to fit the 3K target, or will it be another 1.5k? Canon does everything possible to make sure one camera doesn't infringe on another by cutting/not including certain features.

Also it seems lately Canon has been going after profits while Nikon is going after marketshare, it makes me a bit hesitant to believe Canon will ever build something that actually rivals the D800 in anything but MPs (In other words, I wouldn't be surprised if they put the 7D auto focus/19point system in their D800 killer).

Good luck which ever you choose, I keep bouncing back and forth ;D

 

[traveller]

To quote Thom Hogan again:

"1Dx v. D4, 5DIII v. D800, Canon v. Nikon: this is really the Brand argument, though people keep trying to wrap in the Price, Performance, Quality, and Feature arguments. Personally, I don't see enough differences in those latter four arguments to make a strong call one way or another, thus the discussion is really about Brand. I just don't understand the brand switchers. We've had at least four measurable migrations in 13 years, and really only the first two had enough difference in the other factors to be remotely justified. If you're switching brands now, it's because you're switching brands, period. " http://www.bythom.com/index.htm [ - see "And Speaking of Buying [March 12 (commentary)"]

I don't see much point switching brands if you have decent lenses and accessories. Sure if you're just starting off and are into landscape/studio work, then the D800 is probably a better camera... than your abilities!

Perhaps the more relevant group might be those that are looking to upgrade from crop to full frame, i.e. reasonably experienced photographers with existing lenses . Where it starts to become interesting is when you consider how much 'crop-only' glass you have. If you've kept your collection to just an ultra-wide zoom and have some 'L' glass, then it probably makes sense to stick with Canon. The difficult decisions come when you have a lot of EF-S lenses and only consumer glass (like someone I know that owns a Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5, Canon EF-S 17-85mm and EF 70-300mm IS USM (non-L) and is considering a move to full frame); if you need to buy a large number of new lenses anyway, then a brand switch becomes more realistic.

Canon aren't helping their cause with the last group by pricing the 5D MkIII above the D800 (and by a reasonable margin), as the price differential will offset losses on lens sales. Nikon also have a marketing advantage with their 'DX' lenses, as they can still be used with the D800's crop mode. [OK, so I don't actually think this is too useful, if you're a Nikon user and want to keep using 'DX' glass then I think that the D7000 or waiting for the D400 is a better option. Nevertheless, I find it hard to dispute that it is good marketing.]

 

[poker_jake85]

A month with the Nikon D800: Interview with Jim Brandenburg (abridged)

 

[kirispupis]

Based purely on the specs, I would use a camera to take a landscape photo. A tripod may also be very useful.

Seriously, these are both great cameras. They both will take awesome photos and when you take a shot that sucks, it will not be the camera's fault.

 

[wickidwombat]

For your stated purpose I think the Nikon but more becasue of the Nikkor 14-24 than because of the body

enjoy!

 

[traveller]

For your stated purpose I think the Nikon but more becasue of the Nikkor 14-24 than because of the body

enjoy!

+1.

Maybe the reason that Canon didn't go for a higher pixel count is that they simply lack wide angle glass that could resolve 36MP at non-diffraction limited apertures (TS-Es excepted).

 

[moreorless]

For your stated purpose I think the Nikon but more becasue of the Nikkor 14-24 than because of the body

enjoy!

+1.

Maybe the reason that Canon didn't go for a higher pixel count is that they simply lack wide angle glass that could resolve 36MP at non-diffraction limited apertures (TS-Es excepted).

You can use the Nikon on Canon of course minus the AF(not a great problem at those focal lenghts for landscape I'd say) with the coverters on the market now although Canon obviously wouldnt view that as acceptable.

There is the patent for a new 17-40mm but I wonder whether Canon view high megapixel landscape shooting as something best targetted with high end lenses like the TS-E's? perhaps a hint that if they release a high MP body in the future it'll cost a good deal more than the D800/5D mk3?

 

[tuankid]

you should not be asking that question in a Canon forum. just saying ;D

 

[Orion]

blah blah blah

MP aside, based purely on specs, close your eyes, and just pick one . . .


anyway,

I am more interested in the minor details, such as WHY would they design the doors to all the ports/connections on the side with ONE LONG mofo door instead of giving each compartment a seperate one!? For the amount of money, they COULD at the very least make it a better design . . . . to get to one port, you need to open all post and fuss with one LOOOONG rectangular flap.

DAMN!

look at those annoying things at 2:50
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=o17ukBqt30Q#t=170s

 

[Orion]

I still think about it more and I get MORE frustrated by it still!!!! WHY such moronic design for a $3500 camera!? Afraid of cost due to 3-4 more hinges and from having the machine cut specific shape rubber instead of simple rectangle????????????????????

God all mighty! I am the kind of crazy mofo that will go with a 1Dx/D4 just to get away from such trash in the simplest of design shit, even though I can't afford it! I would rather go on a credit card debt than to fuss with that shit! Just seeing it, amkes me barf and laugh at the same time!

sorry for worthless rant . . . . . . just one of those things.

 

[vuilang]

Will you slap the kit lense 17-55mm f3.5-5.6 on the 5d3/d800?? IF so, what the point of new body?