Is there an equivalency list between Canon and Nikon DSLR's?

Associate
Joined
4 Jul 2008
Posts
1,997
Location
London
Hey guys, just wondering as per the title?

Like: Nikon D3s - Canon 1D Mk IV
Nikon D3000s - Canon 7D

I'm not looking for indept detail, just what is the other makes equivalent.
 
In most cases they aren't directly comparable. Obviously the flagship and entry level models do directly compete.
 
They used to be, then Canon went all weird and added a load of other models!

There are a few reasonably similar cameras however.

As mentioned the D3s and 1Dmk4
D700 and 5D mkII
D300s and 7D (although the 7D is rather aimed at a different segment of the market)
D90 and 50D (sort of)
D3000(?) and 1000D

To me they almost fit nicely between each other, for example:

1Ds mk3/D3X
1D mk4
D3
5D mkII
D700
7D
D300s
D300
50D
D90
5xxD
D3000/1000D

Something like that anyway.
 
I thought the 7d was the rival of the D300s?

Sort of but they are aimed at different sections from what I understand. The D300s is more of an amateur camera whereas the 7D is more aimed at the (semi)pros (although both are used in similar roles).

The 7D is better built with weather proofing that I don't think the D300s has(?) and is more aimed at fast sport/wildlife.
 
Sort of but they are aimed at different sections from what I understand. The D300s is more of an amateur camera whereas the 7D is more aimed at the (semi)pros (although both are used in similar roles).

The 7D is better built with weather proofing that I don't think the D300s has(?) and is more aimed at fast sport/wildlife.

Although I don't own one, I'm pretty sure the D300s has weatherproofing that at least on par with the 7D, magnesium alloy construction, plenty of rubber gaskets etc. If the 7D has more extreme weatherproofing I'm happy to be proven wrong however. :)
 
Ah ok. :) wasn't sure on that one, which is why I put the (?) in. The D300 doesn't have weather sealing does it? :)
 
They used to be, then Canon went all weird and added a load of other models!

There are a few reasonably similar cameras however.

As mentioned the D3s and 1Dmk4
D700 and 5D mkII
D300s and 7D (although the 7D is rather aimed at a different segment of the market)
D90 and 50D (sort of)
D3000(?) and 1000D

To me they almost fit nicely between each other, for example:

1Ds mk3/D3X
1D mk4
D3
5D mkII
D700
7D
D300s
D300
50D
D90
5xxD
D3000/1000D

Something like that anyway.

Its more different to what Canon fanboys would have you believe, infact its more like this.
Professional
D3X

1Ds mk3
D3s/1D mk4
Prosumer
D700

5D mkII
D300s
7D
Consumer
D90/50D
D5000/ 550D
D3000/1000D

This is if you exclude the HD video function in canons which tramples over the best Nikon version, so from a pure photography point of view.
 
Professional
1Ds mk3
D3X

1Ds mk3
D3s/1D mk4
Prosumer
5D mkII
D700

7D
D300s
Consumer
D90/50D
D5000/ 550D
D3000/1000D

Fixed. :p

Nah! I reckon this is better....

1DIV/1DsIII/D3s/D3x
1DIII/D3

5DII
D700
7D/D300s


From a photography point of view the mid range canon cameras still have the edge.

At the pro-level it's all even - at this level everything is just personal preference/usage.


You see really these boides
 
Last edited:
This is if you exclude the HD video function in canons which tramples over the best Nikon version

In fairness to Nikon, that's only true when shooting video at ISO's 100 to 3200. The 720p video on the Nikon D3s at mental ISO's (6400 up to 102400) is far superior due to a noise reduction algorithm they employ in video mode only. With that you can shoot in a room lit by one candle and still get usable footage!
 
Its more different to what Canon fanboys would have you believe, infact its more like this.
Professional
D3X

1Ds mk3
D3s/1D mk4
Prosumer
D700

5D mkII
D300s
7D
Consumer
D90/50D
D5000/ 550D
D3000/1000D

This is if you exclude the HD video function in canons which tramples over the best Nikon version, so from a pure photography point of view.

It's nothing to do with fanboys, it's about prioritizing the feature set. The 5DMKII is a better camera than the D3S if you're shooting anything in the studio, or anything that generally doesn't move.
 
How do you work that out ? The D700 is superior to the 5dmk2 in any PHOTOGRAPHY, and the D3 is a D700 with pro body.

Besides, the D3 is now extinct as is the D300 which is why I deleted them.

D3X is better than the 1Dsmk3, and will be equivalent to the 1Dsmk4.

So what we have here is basically Canon = BMW in the Motors section.

People on here have given advice that the 550d is better than the D90...well why is that exactly ? "umm because its canon" doesnt exactly count.
 
I'd probably agree with the 5d2 over the D3s, in the studio only that is.

Below say the D700, 7D type of cameras, I'd say it's all about even..comes down to the feel of the camera you prefer.
 
How do you work that out ? The D700 is superior to the 5dmk2 in any PHOTOGRAPHY, and the D3 is a D700 with pro body.

I worked that out because the D700 perfoms very similarly in comparable areas. Both are pro bodies - aimed at different working pros.


D3X is better than the 1Dsmk3, and will be equivalent to the 1Dsmk4.

Nope. The MkIII actually handles high-ISO better (!!!!) but I think for most of us we would consider them equal! As for your comment RE the Iv - rumour has it the IV is going to be between 27 and 36 megapixels.

So what we have here is basically Canon = BMW in the Motors section.

I din't start that. You did by claiming Nikon = BMW. I said Canikon = BMW. [Olympus = Kia :p]

People on here have given advice that the 550d is better than the D90...well why is that exactly ? "umm because its canon" doesnt exactly count.

No. It depends on usage.
 
Last edited:
Most of it comes down to bare preference. I chose the 550D over the D90 because I liked the Canon range of lenses better and I preferred the lightness due to the fact I was going to be hauling it all over California so I wanted to travel as light as possible.

I can't say I've ever seen any hint of Canon > Nikon on this forum, most of it stems from the fact that both manufactures don't have direct equivalents in the range.
 
Last edited:
How do you work that out ? The D700 is superior to the 5dmk2 in any PHOTOGRAPHY, and the D3 is a D700 with pro body.

Besides, the D3 is now extinct as is the D300 which is why I deleted them.

D3X is better than the 1Dsmk3, and will be equivalent to the 1Dsmk4.

So what we have here is basically Canon = BMW in the Motors section.

People on here have given advice that the 550d is better than the D90...well why is that exactly ? "umm because its canon" doesnt exactly count.

No offence but do you deal with any of this in a professional capacity? Have you even used any of the cameras you've listed in order to properly list them? Or had to retouch files from any of them for print?

The 5DMKII is better than a D700 (Yes, even a D3S) for studio/controlled work because it produces superior images. You don't need a billion AF points, you don't need 11 frames per second, you don't need weather sealing or stratospheric ISO. There is a reason the 5DMKII is so popular amongst so many working professionals right this very moment, because for the money (and for even a lot more money) you can't beat the image quality.

Honestly sometimes I think the internet would be genuinely shocked at what happens in the real world :confused:
 
twoblacklines

1: Why bring this thread back from the dead?

2: How do you *think* you know more than people who have been taking photos for years (not including myself here) when you have only just got into photography?

Just seems strange you come in here, raising a thread from the dead and then arguing with a load of people... :confused:
 
If you want advice from people, it's generally a good idea not to bump 3 month old threads arguing with people who know what they're doing.
 
Back
Top Bottom