How the Nikon D700 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II compare

It wasn't too long ago that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon D700 DSLR cameras have ruled the roost. Fast forward ten years. With recent advances in sensor design, where does this leave these once top-of-the-range cameras?

As many photographers are now incorporating film into their workflow, many are also opting for older digital cameras for the very specific look they offer. Punchier colours and interesting effects, pushing ISO levels beyond their comfort zone. We decided to compare the two heavyweights of DLSR.

Both have similar specs, although on paper the Canon EOS 5D Mk II gets the nod - with 9 megapixels over the Nikon D700. But the resolution doesn't matter too much if we're looking at the pure quality of the image.

All photos here were shot on RAW. Although the white balance was set to auto, we matched them on Lightroom to ensure a fair comparison.

Both cameras were set to aperture priority, and it seemed that the Nikon D700 had a tendency to overexpose slightly.

Surprisingly, prior to shooting, we thought we'd prefer the renderings of the Nikon D700. However, it's actually much closer between the two. The Canon EOS 5D Mk II does a wonderful job of rendering really organic-looking images.

The Canon EOS 5D Mk II has a clear edge here, keeping those highlights nicely under control. Although, as stated before, this could be due to the Nikon overexposing a little.

A very cinematic-looking rendition from the Canon EOS 5D mark II, keeping the highlights in check while still giving us plenty of detail in the shadows. The Canon has nicely rendered the greens, a colour notorious for being inaccurately rendered by early digital cameras.

In this image, both cameras were quite evenly matched. But in keeping with the rest of the shots, the Canon delivers punchier colours.

We love both these cameras. While many newer cameras tend to get all the attention, it's nice to revisit the old tech to see what it still has to offer.

Newer cameras, with high ISO values, give us a much cleaner look and more options in post. However, much like the analogue aesthetic, it's more a question of embracing the 'imperfections' of the D700 or 5D Mk II.

Read more camera gear guides on our MPB content hub.