Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D600 with their newest 24-70 f/2.8 lenses
The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is one of my favorite lenses, so as a Canon shooter I was thrilled when Canon finally upgraded our 2.8 equivalent – the 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (my review). I thought it would be fun to compare the 24 megapixel D600 (6016 x 4016 pixels) to the 22 megapixels 5D Mark III (5760 x 3840 pixels) using these awesome 24-70 f/2.8 lenses.
The $1774 difference
These cameras have effectively the same full frame size sensor (Canon at 36 x 24 mm vs Nikon at 35.9 x 24 mm), so this felt like a fair match technology wise. Pricewise, the advantage is clearly all Nikon. At the time I wrote this article, the 5D Mark III ($3559 USD) is $1462.05 USD more expensive than the D600 ($2096.95 USD). On the lens side, the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM ($2299 USD) is also $412.05 USD more expensive than the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED ($1886.95 USD) so all told the Canon combo cost $1774.10 USD more than the Nikon combo!!! That’s nuts Canon!
To be fair, Nikon hasn’t release a new 24-70 yet so if it does the prices may get a little closer to each other, but Nikon will definitely have the advantage due to the camera price differences.
Testing Methodology
In doing this comparison I mounted both cameras to the same tripod and set them effectively the same distance from the test bookshelf so that I could frame the reference books on each edge (meaning the tripod wasn’t in the same spot). I also made sure that the cameras were set to effectively the same settings as shown below:
- High ISO Noise Reduction set to low on both cameras
- Vignetting control (Peripheral Illumination on Canon) turned off on both cameras
- Active D Lighting / Auto Lighting Optimizer turned off
- Auto White Balance (Auto1 for Nikon)
- Single Point / Single Shot auto focus on the red LOTR book in the center
- No Chromatic aberration corrections (no lens data loaded for the Canon)
- Standard Picture Control / Style
- Same exposure settings
- Both used Mirror Lockup with a 10 second delay
- Both were on the same plane with the subject and level according to the camera’s built-in level.
- Lens hoods on both lenses in correct position
- In-Camera Max Quality Fine JPEG’s used for both as I consider in-camera processing to be relevant. RAW is subject to so many variables its hard to get a fair comparison, and I can’t store the RAW’s on Zenfolio anyway so I’m limiting my testing to in-camera JPEG’s.
- All other camera settings were factory defaults, including in-camera sharpening
I also tested each camera and lens combo at each end of the zoom range (24 & 70mm) at both wide open (f/2.8) and a safe mid-range aperture (f/10) to avoid diffraction. Finally I tested both ISO 100 and ISO 25,600 (which is Hi 2.0 on the Nikon – it’s max value – the Canon goes up to 102,400).
All comparisons were done using the just final released version of Lightroom 4.2 (not the beta).
It should also be noted that I did not compare against the D800 since I didn’t have one on hand, and because the resolution differences make it much easier to argue about the results.
The Bookshelf Test
Love it or hate it, my bookshelf test is my personal way of judging camera products. I like this test because it allows me to see the dynamic range as well as how the cameras perform with shadow regions. My bookshelves sag so things don’t always seem perfectly level, and I’m moving the tripod around, so it’s not a perfect science – but it’s close enough.
You can find the full gallery of images complete with the full-size in-camera JPEG’s at http://ronmart.zenfolio.com/5dm3vsd600.
24mm at f/2.8, ISO 100 Comparison
1.3 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
At the center they are effectively equally sharp, but as you start to away from the edge it is quickly apparent that the Canon image is sharper than the Nikon image. Canon images are always warmer by nature of their Auto White Balance differences, but the details in the shadows seems to slightly favor the Canon in my eyes.
The vignetting of the Canon lens is definitely worse than the Nikon, but the distortion seems to be a little more prominent in the Nikon. I don’t put much weight into these as both cameras offer corrections for these (Canon requires a camera update via EOS Utility lens info download) to address these issues.
24mm at f/10, ISO 100 Comparison
15.0 sec at f/10, ISO 100
At f/10 the differences are very subtle and any apparent Canon advantage is probably due to more aggressive in-camera sharpening. At the edges the Nikon is the clear winner, but in the center the Canon seems to have an advantage. For landscape photography, I’d probably prefer the Nikon.
70mm aft f/2.8, ISO 25,600 Comparison
While DxOMark seems to think otherwise, to my eyes there’s on comparison here – the 5D Mark III easily wins on noise. Detail wise the lenses seem to be pretty close with the the advantage going to Canon. I also felt that the dynamic range favored the Canon (even when comparing the RAW files in ViewNX 2 vs DPP), but you be the judge. Examine the images for yourself and decide which you think is best.
Conclusion
In my examination of all of the images I saw a pattern forming, so I don’t discuss all 8 comparisons you can find in my gallery here. The images shown are a sufficient sample in my opinion to draw a conclusion, but you are welcome to examine the images for yourself to decide which you think is best. Naturally fan boys from both camps will see what they want to see and freak out that this test is not comparing the RAW images. Others will no doubt do this comparison and plenty will find reasons to argue with my results, but if you’ve read this then I’m already happy and appreciate your visit.
Physically holding and using each lens, I found myself thinking that the Nikon was the better built lens worthy of its price. While the fact that the Canon lens is shorter makes it more convenient, at this price a little bulk makes me feel better about the money leaving my wallet. I also appreciate that the Nikon can use the cheaper and much more common 77mm lens filter vs the Canon’s larger 82mm lens opening.
I will say that the Nikon D600 with a faired a lot better than I expected with a lens that came out in November of 2007 versus Canon’s hot new 24-70 II that just released. Given the $1774 price difference of the Canon setup, I’ve got to say that the only significant advantage that you get for that price difference is better high ISO performance of the Canon body and minor lens sharpness differences. I don’t put a ton of weight on the lens differences though as they are close enough that honestly you could easily address the differences in post-processing. The only place where it might make any difference at all is in very large prints where the extra megapixels of the D600 might come in handy.
In my other comparisons the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM outperformed the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, but Nikon’s legendary AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED destroys the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM. As a result, you really need to look at the big picture if you are just getting started and think about which lenses are most important to you.
If money is a factor, and it usually is, the Nikon D600 seems to be an easy choice for great performance at a substantially lower price even if the high ISO performance favors the Canon. I’ve got the Canon setup and love it, but I’m kinda wishing I had my $1774 back in my pocket and the D600 combo! Of course the high ISO performance of the Canon makes it the perfect camera for parents, so for those evenings when I’m shooting with only lamp lighting I’ll be glad I had the Canon combo.
Where to Buy
Please support this blog by clearing out your shopping cart and using these links when ordering:
| Nikon D600 | |||
| Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 | Link | ||
| Canon 5D Mark III | Link | ||
| Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II |
Other articles you might enjoy…
- Nikon D600 Review
- Nikon D800 Review
- Nikon D4 Review
- Canon 6D Review
- COMPARISON: Canon 6D vs 5D Mark III and Nikon D600
- Nikon D7000 & 24-120mm Lens Review
- Canon 5D Mark III First Look & “For Parents Version”
- COMPARISON: Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III
- COMPARISON: Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II vs 24-105mm f/4L IS vs 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II–70mm Test
- First Look: Nikon D800–Should Canon 5D-Mark III Users Switch?
- FAIL: Nikon D800 Live View vs Canon 5D Mark III
- Canon 5D Mark III Real World Shots–In-Camera HDR, High ISO, Flowers, Nature, People & Cars
- Canon 5D Mark III & Speedlite 600EX-RT Available for Pre-Order–IMAGE SAMPLES TOO
Disclaimer
B&H provided a loaner camera and lens for this review. If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. Thanks for showing your appreciation by using my links when placing your order.
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