Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

Canon EOS 5D vs. Nikon D2X

Camera settings:

  • 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 D2X: Nikkor 50 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority,
    ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D2X
4,012 KB JPEG (4368 x 2912)
4,394 KB JPEG (4288 x 2848)

First of all it's obvious there's a pretty significant difference in sharpness here. The D2X image was taken in that cameras 'Auto' setting which typically selects Normal equivalent sharpness, as you will see in the comparison below the D2X's High setting is much closer to the EOS 5D's 'level 3' sharpness (as used in Standard Picture Style). Overall detail levels look similar although the difference in sharpness makes it pretty difficult to be conclusive from this comparison. Color balance is similar, tonally the D2X appears to use a slightly flatter curve.

Canon EOS 5D vs. Nikon D2X (High Sharpness)

Camera settings:

  • 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 D2X: Nikkor 50 mm F1.8, Aperture Priority,
    ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, High Sharpness, Self-Timer
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D2X
4,012 KB JPEG (4368 x 2912)
4,394 KB JPEG (4288 x 2848)

Turning the sharpness up to High on the D2X isn't something you would do every day and the results is an interesting observation on the different approach to sharpening taken between these two cameras (professional targeted digital SLRs do typically have less sharpening applied in-camera). With the sharpness setting between the two cameras more equal we can see that the EOS 5D does manage to deliver fractionally more detail than the D2X, especially 'high frequency' (very fine) details such as the subtle thin lines on the coins from the Martini label crop and the leaves on the Baileys label.