Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Nikon D6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
73
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 20.8 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon D6
80
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and Nikon D6 are large, heavy DSLRs, and the Nikon D6 is the newer body, released in 2020 four years after the Canon's 2016. The Canon measures 158 x 168 x 83 mm and weighs 1530 g, while the Nikon is 160 x 163 x 92 mm and 1450 g, making the Nikon 80 g lighter. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2016 | February 11, 2020 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 160 x 163 x 92 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 1450 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 75/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II offers the faster burst, shooting at 16 fps against 14 fps from the Nikon D6, which matters when a single stride decides the frame. The Nikon answers with 105 autofocus points against the Canon's 61, offering more positions to place over an erratically moving subject. Resolution is close at 20.8 versus 20.2 megapixels, so neither gives a meaningful cropping advantage. Both use a full-frame CMOS sensor and an optical pentaprism viewfinder, and both reach a 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed for freezing bright-light action. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 20.8 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 | 5568 x 3712 |
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 | 35.9 x 23.9 |
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 | 14 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 |
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 6 |
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 | 1024003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 32800003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 90044080 |
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 | 1050300 |
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 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Nikon D6 is the easier camera for interval work, offering a built-in timelapse function that records frame sequences without an external remote, while the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has no built-in timelapse. Both support 4K maximum video resolution and a 60 fps maximum video frame rate, so either body can record Ultra HD footage. | ||
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 | 4K |
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 | 3840 x 2160 |
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 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 74/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Nikon D6 is the better connected camera for field workflows, offering both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless image transfer, while the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has neither. Its rear screen is also sharper, with 2,359,000 dots against the Canon's 1,620,000, making playback inspection and focus checks clearer at the same 3.2-inch size. Both cameras provide GPS tagging for location-stamped files, weather sealing, a touch-controlled rear LCD with live view, and support for external flash units. That shared toolkit covers the core needs of outdoor reportage work on either body. | ||
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 | Yes |
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 | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 23590001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon D6's EN-EL18c battery is rated at 3580 shots, against 1210 for the Canon's LP-E19, a near-threefold difference. The Nikon also supports USB charging, so the battery can be topped up between assignments without a dedicated charger. Card formats differ, with the Canon taking Compact Flash and CFast 2.0 media and the Nikon using CFexpress and XQD. Both cameras carry dual card slots, so a second card can stay loaded in the body throughout a shoot. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, CFast 2.0 | CFexpress, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | EN-EL18c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1210 shots1505000 | 3580 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon D6 is the stronger choice for photographers covering long events away from power, thanks to its far higher battery rating, USB charging, wireless transfer and built-in timelapse. Its 105 autofocus points against the Canon's 61, and its sharper rear screen, reinforce that advantage for news, sports and wildlife shooters filing from the field.
Choose the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II when the fastest possible burst of decisive action matters, at 16 fps against 14. The Canon uses the EF mount and the Nikon the F mount, so lenses you already own are a practical part of the decision.