[shuttertalk]

Since the DXO Mark sensor results for the Nikon D800, a lot of people have been interested to see how it's closest competitor, the Canon 5D Mark III stacks up.

Here is some testing Roger Cicala of LensRentals has done:
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/...tion-tests

There's a lot of good detail and graphs in the article, but this one speaks for itself:

   

He does quantify this though by saying that you absolutely need the best lenses to take full advantage of that sensor.

Ok, time for us Canon fanboys to go cry in a corner...

[matthew]

That's a very interesting graph.

I'm looking more at the differences within the brands instead of across them. The two latest 5D variants are essentially the same pixel count, so I'm surprised to see the MkIII pulling ahead the way it does. The results between the two Nikon cameras are perhaps more expected, but it's still amazing to see the difference in the resolving power between the very different pixel counts.

It looks like the real competitor to the D800 for very high resolution is going to be the D800E. Canon and Nikon have built very different styles of camera once again, ensuring that there will be plenty of discussion for a couple more years.

[shuttertalk]

Here's a look at the video capability comparison between these two cameras:
http://fstoppers.com/video-canon-5d-mk-i...nikon-d800

[matthew]

It's interesting how hard they had to fight to stop from saying that the D800 was the better camera… Jules, you should really get one.

I think that there might be some interesting material once they reach the video comparison, since that's such a new area (especially for Nikon) that there could be some significant differences between the results. But from what they said in the stuio photography comparison, and from what I'm seeing elsewhere, there really isn't much cause to choose one over the other. Essentially, if the results from either near-top camera from the two best camera makers in history aren't good enough, then it's probably not the camera that needs to improve.

[shuttertalk]

Here's a really detailed shootout for video between the two cameras.
http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2012/04/0...-5d-mkiii/

With 1080P, the playing field is a bit more even as the 36 megapixels is downsampled so they should be both on par. Or are they? My take - the D800 has better detail, but low light shooting > ISO 1600 Canon seems to be better.

For an all-round camera for video the 5D mkIII would suit my needs best. Moire is the main factor in this; even though the Nikon is a bit sharper, the moire is too noticeable in many shots for my taste. I would not be happy using the D800 as my only camera as I quite often have to shoot wide scenes with lots of detail. If the D800 can be modified using Picture Control to give me an image closer matching the Canon C300 or the Sony F3 I would seriously consider getting one for B-cam use. I would use it for shots where the sharpness is a benefit and moire is not an issue.

[Wedding Shooter]

I was reading a direct comparison shoot out with the Nikon and Canon. End result - if you are shooting at under ISO 800 the Nikon is better. Once you hit ISO 800 and above the Canon pulls ahead. The Canon appears to have a two stop advantage over the Nikon.

[shuttertalk]

Another video comparison, this time with low-light, high ISO between the 5D2, 5D3 and D800. They put the 3 video outputs next to each other for easy comparison.

http://fstoppers.com/video-canon-5dm3-5d...video-test

Jump to the 1:35 mark when they hit ISO 3200... the noise and grain in the background for the D800 is easily visible.

I was quite surprised actually that even as low as ISO 1000 the graininess is already there.

[shuttertalk]

This is pretty awesome / funny yet informative video comparison of the Canon 5D3 vs the Nikon D800. They put them through their paces in testing resolution, movie quality, rolling shutter and low light video.

If only gadget reviews were all this funny...

(WARNING: Offensive language used, and some suggestive scenes, although no actual nudity despite the title)

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/04/nsfw-c...strippers/

[Kombisaurus]

haha.. that's fantastic! Nice find Jules.