Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon D700

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700
      73
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5DS and the Nikon D700, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS 5DS was introduced in February 2015 and Nikon D700 was introduced in October 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5DS Highlights

      • 50.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Nikon D700 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS 5DS
      4. Advantage of Nikon D700
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D700.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      •   Price
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80

      Advantage of Canon EOS 5DS

      Canon 5DS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5DS over Nikon D700.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon D700
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 50.6 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 8688 x 5792 vs 4256 x 2832
      More Focus Points 61 vs 51
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 922k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
      Higher Max Flash Compensation +3 EV vs +1 EV
      Partial Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2381 vs 2303
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.7 vs 23.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.4 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 87 vs 80
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Dust Proof vs
      Lighter 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) vs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 5DS.

      Canon 5D III
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      Full Frame

      22.3 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Panasonic S1
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic S1
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 5D
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      Full Frame

      13.3 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Canon 5D IV
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      Full Frame

      30.4 MP

      Canon 5D II
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      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Nikon A
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony a6700
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      APS-C

      26.0 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 100
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      Medium format

      102 MP

      Sigma SD1 Merrill
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Advantage of Nikon D700

      Nikon D700
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D700 over Canon EOS 5DS.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon D700
      Higher Boosted ISO 12,800 vs 25,600
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.71x vs 0.72x
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/250 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Longer Battery Life 700 shots vs 1000 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D700.

      Nikon D750
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Nikon D780
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Pentax KP
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      APS-C

      24.32 MP

      Nikon Df
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      Full Frame

      16.2 MP

      Nikon D800E
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      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Pentax K-70
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z6 II
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Sony SLT-A58
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Fujifilm X-A1
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Leica S2
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      Medium format

      38 MP

      Nikon D800
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      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS 5DS Nikon D700
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Many Focus Points6151
        Live View Autofocus
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        HDMI Output Mini Mini Type C
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5DS Nikon D700
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5DS has a 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Nikon D700 has a 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Canon EOS 5DS has 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification and Nikon D700 has 95% coverage with 0.72x magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS features a 50.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Nikon D700 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS 5DS is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 8688 x 5792 resolution. Nikon D700 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS 5DS has Canon EF lens mount and Nikon D700 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS 5DS it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D700 nothing can be done. On Nikon D700 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 5DS nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5DS has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D700 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5DS comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots and Nikon D700 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5DS has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). Nikon D700 has a single CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D700 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5DS, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D700. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D700 has 51 focusing points. Canon EOS 5DS has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5DS and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D700.


      Flash

      Nikon D700 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. Canon EOS 5DS has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5DS and 1/250 sec on Nikon D700.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5DS body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Nikon D700 body has dimensions of 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.79 x 4.84 x 3.03"). Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) and Nikon D700 weighs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz).

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      152 mm

      116 mm

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      147 mm

      123 mm

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      116 mm

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      123 mm

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      76 mm

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      77 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D700

      Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D700 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      83
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      74
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      79
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      76
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon D700 and give them scores of 73 and 63 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      OVERALL
      73
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      GOOD
      71
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80

      Photo

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      BAD
      32
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      71
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      77
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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