Xing-A-Ling Speak

How does a 5D MKII stack up against the 2.5x more expensive Nikon D3x that was just announced?  Here, because the Nikon uses a Sony sensor that has very similar parameters to the one inside the Alpha A900, the technical comparisons will be based on the Sony sensor data available when it comes to the technical measurements of lines of resolution, noise level, etc.   Test data taken from various sites including Popphoto.com.  So here it is:

• Image Size
  • D3x – ~25 mpixels
  • 5D MKII – 21.1 mpixels
• Sensor Resolution at ISO 100
  • D3x – 3230  (Might be slightly higher as it has more pixels than the A900)
  • 5D MKII — 2850
• Noise level at ISO 6400 – lower is better
  • D3x – 3.2
  • 5D MKII — 2.0  (same as the D700/D3, but with twice the resolution)
• ISO range
  • D3x – ISO 100-25600  (if the Sony A900 is any indication, the boost modes are unusable)
  • 5D MKII – ISO 50-25600
• DxOMark Raw image quality – higher=better
  • D3x – 78.9 (likely lower due to higher density than A900)
  • 5D MKII – 79.0
• Color Accuracy - lower=better
  • D3x – 9.0  (can probably be lowered through in camera compensation)
  • 5D MKII – 6.2
• Focus System
  • D3x – 51 point 3D Matrix, reaction time 0.31sec
  • 5D MKII – 9 point + 6 assist, reaction time 0.5 sec
• Shooting Buffer
  • D3x - Varies depending on area of sensor used, on average faster than canon.
  • 5D MKII – 3.9fps, up to 76 frames in jpeg.
• Video Capability
  • D3x – None
  • 5D MKII – 1080p full resolution at 30fps.
• Flash Control
  • D3x – trigger for off camera Nikon flashes
  • 5D MKII – hotshoe/external trigger
• Ruggedness
  • D3x - full weather seal
  • 5D MKII – partial weather seal
• Storage
  • D3x - 2 CF slots
  • 5D MKII – 1 CF slot
• Price
  • D3x – $7999
  • 5D MKII – $2799

Clearly, the major assumption here is that Sony did not drastically improve the performance of the FF sensor for Nikon compare to the one for its own A900.  I feel this is the more likely assumption.

Furthermore, several of the characteristics were deems less important in my comparison.  Frame rate/buffer – neither of these cameras are designed for sports photography, and they have unnecessarily resolution for that market.  Flash Control – nifty feature, however, more precise lighting require better syncing mechnism.

So where are we at the end of this comparison?  the D3x has a better and faster focusing system and it is significantly more rugged than the 5D MKII.  On the other hand, the 5D MKII has significantly lower noise at higher ISO, more accurate color rendition, HD Video capabilities, and priced at 1/3rd of the D3x.

If you need absolute ruggedness and fast focusing system, i.e., photojournalists, the D3x is the way to go.  However, the question then becomes why would they chose the D3x over the D3?  In this case, the doubled resolution means little to the targeted market.  Furthermore, since the color accuracy seems lacking, D3x might alienate the fashion/fine arts photography market.

The 5D performs better in most of the important aspects, comes with additional useful features, and when combined with a significantly lower price then, is a significantly better value proposition for the majority of customers.