Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Nikon D4s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
73
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D4s
62
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D4s are full-frame DSLRs built for fast professional shooting across sports, news and wildlife. Canon released its body in 2016, two years after the 2014 D4s, and both frame shots through an optical pentaprism viewfinder. The Nikon is the lighter body at 1350 g against 1530 g, and deeper at 91 mm against the Canon's 83 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2016 | February 25, 2014 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 160 x 157 x 91 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 1350 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 1D X Mark II is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and for splitting fast action into finer slices. Its 20.2 megapixel sensor offers more pixels than the D4s at 16.2, and its 16 fps maximum burst captures more frames than the Nikon's 11 fps. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, and they share a 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed and no in-body stabilisation. Where they diverge, the Canon offers 61 autofocus points against 51, and a 51200 ISO native ceiling against the Nikon's 25600. Native lens choice follows the mounts, Canon EF against Nikon F FX. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 16.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 4928 x 3280 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 23.9 x 36 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
16 fps045 | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Nikon F FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Digic 6+ | Expeed 4 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
4096003003280000 | 4096003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
610300 | 510300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 69/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 1D X Mark II is the clear pick for 4K editing workflows and for cropping footage while keeping Full HD output. It records up to 4K while the D4s tops out at Full HD, and both reach 60 fps as a maximum frame rate. The Nikon answers with a built-in interval timer for time-lapse sequences shot without an external remote, which the Canon does not offer. The Canon records in MOV and MP4, giving more post-production flexibility than the Nikon's MOV-only files. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | MOV |
| Features | 74/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon's touchscreen rear LCD speeds up setting changes and image swiping, a control the Nikon's non-touch screen does not offer. Both panels measure 3.2 inches, but the Canon's 1620000 dots produce a crisper review image than the D4s at 921000. The Canon has built-in GPS for geotagging news and wildlife locations, which the Nikon does not, while the D4s offers Wi-Fi for wireless transfer. Both are weather sealed and support external flash, with no built-in flash, flip screen or Bluetooth on either. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D4s is the endurance pick for long assignments. Its EN-EL18a battery is rated for 3020 shots, against 1210 for the Canon's LP-E19 under their respective test conditions. Both bodies carry dual card slots in different formats. The Canon pairs Compact Flash with CFast 2.0, while the Nikon pairs Compact Flash with XQD, so an existing card collection can settle the practical choice. Neither body charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, CFast 2.0 | Compact Flash, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | EN-EL18a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1210 shots1505000 | 3020 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II if your work rewards speed, resolution and modern media. Its 16 fps maximum burst, 61 autofocus points, 4K video, touchscreen and GPS suit sports photographers, photojournalists covering fast news action, anyone cropping distant wildlife frames, and location-tagged field reporting.
Choose the Nikon D4s for endurance, wireless transfer and interval work. Its 3020-shot battery rating, Wi-Fi and built-in time-lapse fit long events, remote delivery and landscape projects, and its 11 fps with 51 autofocus points still covers action. Both are weather-sealed full-frame DSLRs, so the choice comes down to Canon speed and 4K against Nikon stamina and connectivity.