I have shot with Nikon my whole photography career, so this little review/comparison is completely personal. I won't be comparing megapixels, or how many focus points each camera comes with, it will be 100% how they compared against one another on a quick shoot-off. I took a couple shoots of different things to see the difference and then used BOTH cameras in an actual session with two adorable twin boys. The pictures are 100% straight out of camera and un-edited. I'll go over a few things, but really just want to share actual images taken in the same set up, settings, lighting etc. so you all can SEE.
I'm sure some of you will be reading this to find out which camera came out 'on top'. So I'll just save you a little time - neither. I really do think that BOTH Nikon and Canon are BOTH amazing, and have different strengths and qualities. That being said what matters is what type of photographer uses the camera and what is more important for them. (I'll also go over why I picked what I picked).
What I shot with:
Canon 5D mark III & 50mm 1.4
Nikon D800 & 50mm 1.4

 

LIGHT
I saw a big difference with the way the cameras "react" to light. For those that follow my work know that my general style is very light, bright and airy. Which I love. Most of my shots are over exposed which is exactly how I want it.
When overexposing I noticed that canon would get lighter but still maintain the details. (which is really important to me!) Nikon on the other hand quickly lost the details when being overexposed.
(again - for someone who isn't constantly overexposing their images, this really won't matter)
FOCUSING/BUTTONS
Both cameras are great with the button layout, I think nikon is a little quicker with changing the focus point. Canon seems a little quicker with the actual focusing. I had no problem getting the canon to focus quickly on little baby lashes, but had a little harder time with the Nikon. Details seem more crisp with the Canon. What I really love is how even at 2.8 those little black lashes really stand out with canon.
CANON TOP | NIKON BOTTOM
SETTINGS
ISO 400
f/2.8
1/250

2013-11-14_0009

 

WHITEBALANCE
Quick little test with a ivory mug and white set up. Canons white balance seems correct. (the mug was ivory not white) and Nikon lost some of the details and washed out the ivory mug. Canons white balance seems to be more creamy. I totally love the right, BUT the left is more true to what it actually looked like.
CANON TOP | NIKON BOTTOM
SETTINGS
ISO 400  
 f/1.8
1/160

2013-11-14_0007

COLOR
Colors seems pretty in both. I really thought Nikon would over power with the colors BUT the colors+details seem to pop a little more in the Canon.
CANON TOP | NIKON BOTTOM
SETTINGS
ISO
f/1.8
1/200

2013-11-14_0008

Next are a few shots from the session for a fun little comparison.
SHOT WITH CANON 5D MARK III

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SHOT WITH NIKON D800

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I hope this helped some of you out there that are trying trying to see them side by side. As you can see their BOTH great. I am switching from Nikon to Canon, I feel like the sharpness and colors fit my style a little better. This was a super quick comparison but i'm sure I will be posting plenty more Canon photos in the next few weeks so keep an eye out! ;)

December 29, 2014 — Elena Ringeisen
Tags: Reviews

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