bennetphoto Loc: Knoxville, TN

I currently own a Nikon D-700, which I love. I am looking at the new D-5200 as a travel camera, as my job has me travelling weekly, and I pack lightly, carrying on everything when I fly. I like the size of the camera and the resolution that the 24 MP sensor will produce. I have a friend taking a trip to Africa, who is owns a canon 5D Mark II, and wants a smaller body with similar specs to the Nikon d5200. Would you Canon aficionados out there respond with the Canon models available?

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

smallest full frame I know of at this point is the D6

infocus Loc: Australia

The Canon 6D is the smallest full frame canon make I believe.

Zero_Equals_Infinity Loc: Canada

Wait a month. The D7000 replacement is just around the corner. It should offer you something compact, (like D5200), but more robust than the D5200.

Here are some weights and measures for your consideration


Nikon

D700 - 995g / 35.1 oz - 147 x 123 x 77 mm
D800 - 900g / 31.7 oz - 145 x 122 x 81 mm
D600 - 760g / 26.8 oz - 141 x 113 x 82 mm

D7000 - 690g / 24.3 oz - 132 x 103 x 77 mm
D5200 - 555g / 19.6 oz - 129 x 98 x 78 mm
D3200 - 455g / 16.0 oz - 125 x 96 x 77 mm


Canon

5DIII - 950G / 33.5 oz - 152 x 116 x 76 mm
6D - 770g / 27.1 oz - 145 x 111 x 71 mm

I don't know if weight or dimensions are your primary concern. One point of interest is how light the D600 and 6D are compared to the other cameras. These two cameras appear to have either taken weight into strenuous account or part of what you shave off of the D800 and 5DIII is the full metal body.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

If you have and love a D700, the Nikon D600 is for you. The DX alternative is the D7000. The 24mp from the D5200 won't give you anything that the 16mp D7k won't give you, especially if you use the lightweight kit lenses. Personally, I would go for a D7k with a 16-85 f3.5-4.5 VR as a travel cam, and keep the D700.

SR71BLACKBIRD

Travel camera Olympus OM-D Em5......

bvargas Loc: Palm Harbor, Florida

Why not consider the LUMIX FZ200. LEICA Lens 25mm-600mm, Fixed (Constant) f.2.8. Reduced price from $600 down to $400. Wow, what a deal.
Great Travel or all around camera. Friend has one and loves it. He has won print competition, 16x20 at Camera Clubs.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Your question asks for "Canon alternatives" and I'm sorry but can't assist there. However SR71Blackbird has suggested a different route for you and your friend to explore. So I'll go with him. If "small, lightweight and high quality" are your major criteria then you would not go wrong with the micro 4/3 format and the award-winning Olympus OM-D E-M5. Couple that camera with some of the astoundingly high quality lenses available in that format, and maybe, like one pro mentioned below (Thom Hogan), you will want to "ditch" your DSLR when it comes to "travelling" and go with micro 4/3.

Happy reading ......

http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/december-2012/sansmirror-serious-camera.html

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/05/06/the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-digital-camera-review-micro-43-finally-matures-for-real-by-steve-huff/

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Go even lighter with the epl5 or epm2 with 20mm. Awesome combo.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

Nikon V1 goes with me when I am traveling really light, it's even in the bag when I have 2 DSLRs with me sometimes like at dinner you don't want to be dragging a d700 around.

bennetphoto Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for all of the great responses. I really appreciate the response with the weights and dimensions from Zero equals infinity. I am waiting to see the specs of the replacement for the d7000, but am still strongly considering the d5200. The other brands are great suggestions, however I have a lot of greta Nikon glass, so I will stick with the brand. I am going to share all of the information with my friend with the Canon going to Africa, and see what she decides. Thanks again everyone!!!