Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F).

Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 5D

There are a few caveats you should consider when looking at the comparison below; firstly that the D3's default sharpening is considerably lower than the 5D. Secondly the EOS 5D's base ISO is 100 (the D3 is ISO 200) and finally the 5D shot is from 2005 and we've very slightly changed the shooting position for this shot since we moved to new studios, meaning the 5D sample is taken from a slightly higher position.

Camera settings:

• Nikon D3: Nikkor 85 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 200 (default base)
  JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Normal), Self-Timer
   
  
• Canon EOS 5D: Canon EF 85 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority,
  ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Standard PS), Self-Timer
  

Nikon D3	Canon EOS 5D
4.4 MB JPEG (4256 x 2382)	4,012 KB JPEG (4368 x 2912)

Once again the two most obvious difference here is sharpness (the 5D's default sharpening is considerably higher than the D3). The D3 also deals with the roll off of highlights are they approach the point where they clip in a more pleasing manner (though the difference is small). If you turn up the in-camera sharpness on the D3 (or sharpen this image in Photoshop) the differences in detail captured and overall sharpness disappear.