Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Nikon D750 — 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 · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D750
68
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D750 are both full frame DSLRs, but their bodies suit different work. The 2016 Canon is a large integrated-grip body for fast action such as sports and news. The 2014 Nikon is a smaller conventional body with a tilting screen, suited to travel, landscape and general photography. The Canon measures 158 x 168 x 83 mm and weighs 1530 g. The Nikon measures 141 x 113 x 78 mm and weighs 750 g, roughly half as much. For packing light, the D750 is the easier body to carry. | ||
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 | September 12, 2014 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 141 x 113 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 750 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor fast action, the 1D X Mark II is the stronger choice. It shoots at 16 fps against 6.5 fps on the D750, which matters when a sprinter or bird in flight crosses the frame. Its 1/8000 second top shutter also handles brighter light and faster motion than the Nikon's 1/4000 second. The D750 answers with more resolution for cropping and large prints, at 24.3 MP against 20.2 MP. Sensor format, sensor type and the optical pentaprism viewfinders are shared specifications. Neither has in-body stabilisation, so dim-light handheld work depends on the lens or a faster shutter. The Canon's native ISO ceiling of 51200 also exceeds the Nikon's 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6016 x 4016 |
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 | 24 x 35.9 |
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 | 6.5 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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video alongside stills, the 1D X Mark II is the clear pick. It records 4K video, while the D750 tops out at Full HD. The Canon's 4K footage leaves room to crop or stabilise in editing while still finishing at Full HD resolution. Both record MOV files, both reach up to 60 fps, and the Canon additionally offers MP4. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 59/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesConvenience features split along different lines. The D750 has a tilting rear screen, built-in flash and Wi-Fi, helping with waist-level framing, indoor fill light and quick transfers to a phone. The 1D X Mark II answers with GPS for geotagging, a touchscreen and a higher-resolution display of 1,620,000 dots against the Nikon's 1,229,000. Some practical points are shared. Both offer weather sealing, live view, a 3.2-inch LCD and external flash support, so a flash unit works with 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 12290001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 79/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings are nearly identical, at 1230 shots for the D750 and 1210 for the 1D X Mark II. Neither charges over USB, so spare batteries stay part of the kit. Card formats differ. The Canon takes Compact Flash and CFast 2.0 cards, while the Nikon uses SD, SDHC and SDXC. Both have dual card slots, so two cards can be fitted at once. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, CFast 2.0 | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1210 shots1505000 | 1230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II if fast action is the priority. Its 16 fps burst, 61 autofocus points and 4K video make it the stronger choice for sports and wildlife in motion.
Choose the Nikon D750 if portability and mixed shooting matter more. At 750 g with a tilting screen, built-in flash, Wi-Fi and 24.3 MP, it suits landscapes, travel and family photography. Both are weather-sealed full frame DSLRs with pentaprism viewfinders and near-identical battery ratings, so the decision rests on speed against portability and resolution.