Affordable full-frame dSLR war begins: Nikon D700 vs. Canon EOS 5D

By Derek Fung on 01 July 2008

For a few years now, the "affordable" full-frame dSLR market has belonged to Canon. However with today's launch of Nikon's D700, the Canon versus Nikon dSLR war has a new front.

Nikon today announced its first "affordable" full-frame digital SLR, the D700. It mates a body about the size of its prosumer dSLR offering, the D300, with the full-frame sensor of the pricier D3. In the dSLR savannah its nearest competitor is Canon's slightly long in the tooth, full-frame EOS 5D.

Although it is AU$400 more expensive, the D700 bests Canon's incumbent in a number of key areas — including ISO range, number of focus points, continuous shooting speed, a built-in flash and LCD size. It also accepts, with a bit of image cropping, Nikon's DX lenses which are made specifically for the smaller APS-C sized sensors found on the majority of dSLRs. The D700 goes on sale in the dying days of July 2008.

We've conveniently condensed this specification Rumble in the Jungle between the D700 and 5D into an easily digestible table, with the Nikon D300 and D3 thrown in for good blood-letting measure. You can read our hands-on first take with a pre-production D700 here.

 
Nikon D700
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D300
Nikon D3
Price AU$3,899 AU$3,499 AU$2,899* AU$7,499*
Sensor resolution 12.1-megapixel 12.8-megapixel 12.3-megapixel 12.1-megapixel
Sensor type CMOS CMOS CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 36.0 x 23.9mm (full-frame) 35.8 x 23.9mm (full-frame) 23.6 x 15.8mm (APS-C) 36.0 x 23.9mm (full-frame)
Focus points 51 (15 selectable) 9 (+ 6 assist points) 51 (15 selectable) 51 (15 selectable)
ISO sensitivity 200-6,400 (to 25,600 on expansion) 100-1,600 (50-3200 on expansion) 200-3,200 (to 6,400 on expansion) 200-6,400 (to 25,600 on expansion)
Continuous speed 5fps (8fps with optional batteries) 3fps 6fps (8fps with optional batteries) 9fps (FX), 11fps (DX)
Accepts full-frame lenses Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accepts APS-C lenses Yes No Yes Yes
Built-in flash Yes No Yes No
HDMI Yes (mini) No Yes (full-size) Yes (full-size)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 123 x 147 x 77mm 113 x 152 x 75mm 114 x 147 x 74mm 157 x 159.5 x 87.5mm
Weight 995g 810g 825g 1,240g
LCD size 3-inch 2.5-inch 3-inch 3-inch
Storage medium CF (type I only) CF (type I and II) CF (type I and II) CF (type I and II)
File formats RAW, JPEG, TIFF RAW, JPEG RAW, JPEG, TIFF RAW, JPEG

Topics: full-frame, dslr, d700, nikon, canon, 5d, yes, frame, sensor, cmo

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Comments (5)

  • Nick commented on 11/05/2009 22:40 Report abuse

    It may be reasonable to update this table to include the Canon 5DmkII instead of the 5D. The D700 and the 5DmkII are competitors.

  • Derek Fung commented on 02/07/2008 11:05 Report abuse

    Hi guys, I've correct the table. Regarding pricing: we compare RRP. As for comparing a new camera against a three year old one: we (and lots of others) are pitting the D700 and 5D head-to-head as they're natural competitors. If and when Canon releases a new "prosumer" full-frame camera, we'll be happy to pit it against the D700. Until then the 5D is the only natural reference point.

  • Jim_phm commented on 01/07/2008 22:48 Report abuse

    This comparison is wrong, the D300 has a built in flash and D3 does not, the D3 also shots tiff and the D300 does not. Why review a camera from 2005 with a camera from 2008, of course they are going to be different

  • ShAwNeX commented on 01/07/2008 18:59 Report abuse

    How can you compare the D700 with the 5D. Not only is the D700 a lot more expensive but the 5D was also released back in 2005.

  • canberra_photographer commented on 01/07/2008 18:46 Report abuse

    Derek, the new Nikon offering is a lot more than $400 dearer than the 5D. More like $1400. The 5D can be found for $2400 or less now with a lens included. That said, the 5D is hopelessly outdated now, so while it may be cheaper, it isn't good value.

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