Surprisingly there are no threads arguing about this, and I'm in the market for a new camera as I'm getting back into photography. I do a lot of product photography but also like to do street photography and some landscape. I want to make sure I hear from everyone with experience with the cameras and weigh the pros and cons before pulling the trigger. So what do you guys think, 5DIII or D800e? And why?
There have been numerous threads on this subject. Both of those cameras are becoming middle aged and will most likely be obsolete in 2015, so consider the entire systems as well. It looks like you might get more use from the sluggish, but high-res D800e at this time.
D800e in my book, if you aren't already committed to a system. Canon has better glass, but for the area you are looking at Nikon has high quality solutions on par with Canon and you also can use Zeiss ZF2 glass.
IQ of D800/E is clearly superior at lower ISO's with more DR, no shadow banding issues and the abilty to push shadows far more, like about 5 stops more. D800 has excellent AF system too, so you are really only losing out on capture speed with D800E, and I don't think that's an issue for a landscape photographer.
If I had to choose, D800. Frankly I can't tell much (if any) of a difference between the D800 and 800(E). 5D3's a great camera, had one myself, but for landscapes, the 36MP and DR of the D800 would have been nice.
I wonder if there are not a lot of threads because the group who buys these cameras are likely already lens committed to a system? Therefore they stick to a brand.
I have a 5D3 and have personally never shot Nikon. The D800 does interest me and I like what Nikon is offering lately. Without experience my bad opinion is below:
5d3 :: best allaround camera ever.
D800:: best FF sensor/dynamic range??
Landscape: D800
Product: either... If light is good doubt I need anywhere near this much camera
Street/action: 5D3
I wonder if there are not a lot of threads because the group who buys these cameras are likely already lens committed to a system? Therefore they stick to a brand.
I have a 5D3 and have personally never shot Nikon. The D800 does interest me and I like what Nikon is offering lately. Without experience my bad opinion is below:
5d3 :: best allaround camera ever.
D800:: best FF sensor/dynamic range??
Landscape: D800
Product: either... If light is good doubt I need anywhere near this much camera
Street/action: 5D3
The D800 is a better landscape camera but as far as the whole system goes, I think the 5D3 is the better package. I haven't used one myself, but I've used the 5D2, 6D and D800.
When both cameras were new, there were literally dozens of threads on this topic.
If your primary interest is landscapes, the D800E offers superior resolution of fine details and greater dynamic range in RAW captures. The acuity is noticeably better than the D800, so the extra $300 for the D800E is a no-brainer.
The 5D Mark III has superior focusing, metering, handling, and actually delivers better acuity (sharpness) per pixel than the D800, and Canon has better lenses in general (with a few notable exceptions).
I've owned the 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III, as well as the D800 and D800E.
Orlov wrote:
Surprisingly there are no threads arguing about this, and I'm in the market for a new camera as I'm getting back into photography. I do a lot of product photography but also like to do street photography and some landscape. I want to make sure I hear from everyone with experience with the cameras and weigh the pros and cons before pulling the trigger. So what do you guys think, 5DIII or D800e? And why?
For Landscape, Architecture and Product/Studio the D800E is the best choice. Not only for the extra resolution which is noticeable but most importantly for the HUGE dynamic range of the D800E which is an edge in typical high contrast scenes in landscape and architecture. The Canon (any canon) requires multiple exposures and exposure blending in a lot of instances whereas the Nikon can do it in a single exposure.
I have rented the D800E but own the Canon 5D3 because like it was mentioned the focusing, handling and overall performance at high iso is better on the Canon. For high quality landscape and architecture I have a PhaseOne medium format back (60 MP) that has amazing resolution, dynamic range and color. If I did not have that I would definitely purchase the D800E.
Orlov wrote:
Surprisingly there are no threads arguing about this
Thank goodness. Hopefully on page 30 this thread won't devolve into one.
Either camera will produce fine photos. Pick one or the other based on some of the differences that currently exist (ie: sensor, current lens lineup, focusing speed) as mentioned above and enjoy. The cameras today are simply amazing in what they can do.
I should also point out that you have to be printing your images at least 24 x 36 inches to be able to discern any differences between the D800 and the 5D Mark III with most subject matter.
On the other hand, f your images are just going to end up on the internet, pretty well any camera made in the last 5 or 6 years is overkill... so just pick a camera that you enjoy shooting with.
EB-1 wrote:
There have been numerous threads on this subject. Both of those cameras are becoming middle aged and will most likely be obsolete in 2015, so consider the entire systems as well. It looks like you might get more use from the sluggish, but high-res D800e at this time.
EBH
Obsolete in 2015? That's about the time I'll look to add a 2nd 5d3 body. Considering it's almost 2014 and there's NOTHING on the market that beats it as an all arounder (sports and raw video) I find it hard to believe in 13 months it'll be obsoleted.
Nice to see such reasonable responses on such a thread. I guess with time and maturity of the cameras, the fanboys have moved on and only the real photographers are left to discuss the true merits. I think molson has summed it up perfectly.
IMO, I've owned the 5D3 since release and have shot with my best friends D800. Overall, the 5D3 is the better camera for most things but the D800 is king for landscapes or any thing shot from a tripod. However, Canon glass beats Nikon in almost every area except the 14-24 but as mentioned you can use Zeiss on either. However, now even my 5D3 has taken a back seat to the even better 1DX. The times they are a changing....
5D III looks better to me in any case, except resolution. So who needs higher resolution will purchase a D800, who does not of course will go 5D III to get the better all around camera. There is no thread necessary about this, or did I miss something and there is?
Ralph Conway wrote:
5D III looks better to me in any case, except resolution. So who needs higher resolution will purchase a D800, who does not of course will go 5D III to get the better all around camera. There is no thread necessary about this, or did I miss something and there is?
Some will say the extra dynamic range and pixels are important to them.
I have 1Ds3 files that have been blown up to about 8 feet across of complex industrial machinery that look simply perfect in every detail so I personally have no need for what the D800/E offers - even though I am very much the D800/E target market
** might be an idea for the mod to amalgamate two identical threads??
Pixel Perfect wrote:
D800e in my book, if you aren't already committed to a system. Canon has better glass, but for the area you are looking at Nikon has high quality solutions on par with Canon and you also can use Zeiss ZF2 glass.
IQ of D800/E is clearly superior at lower ISO's with more DR, no shadow banding issues and the abilty to push shadows far more, like about 5 stops more. D800 has excellent AF system too, so you are really only losing out on capture speed with D800E, and I don't think that's an issue for a landscape photographer.
I myself never needed or wished to push shadows more than two stops. Banding was a problem with 5D II at ISO 6.400 and above. So far I saw it has gone with 6D, 5D III and 1D X.
D610 is a solution to get on par with 6D IQ at lower ISO. D800 is still the outstanding choice for photographers who wich/need higher resolution. What is/was the question?
I have the 5DIII and enjoy it greatly - a great all in one camera. I dont shoot landscape much, but whenver I do take a shot that I like, I use camera's built in HDR capability with +/-3 EV exposure and that takes care of all but the most extreme DR issues. If I had the extra DR & pixels I am sure I would miss them, but I am satisfied with the 5DIII's capabilities.
I dont think the camera will be a limiting factor in any case
