• APS-H 518.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Nikon D800

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.70 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1500 vs 900 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    39 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D800 advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

  • Less expensive
    $3000 vs $4999 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-H
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.3 vs 22.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 1,320 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    1008g vs 1390g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3X
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Nikon D800
Nikon D3X
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Internal flash
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3S
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D800
Nikon D3S
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D4
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D800
Nikon D4
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800E
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Compare Other Cameras?