Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 30.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
75
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 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D6 are both full frame DSLRs with optical pentaprism viewfinders. Each takes a different native lens system, Canon EF on the 5D Mark IV and Nikon F on the D6, so existing glass is likely to guide the choice. The 5D Mark IV arrived in 2016, the D6 in 2020. The D6 measures 160 x 163 x 92 mm and weighs 1450 g, against 151 x 116 x 76 mm and 890 g for the 5D Mark IV, so the Canon is the smaller and lighter body to carry. | ||
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. |
August 25, 2016 | February 11, 2020 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 151 x 116 x 76 mm | 160 x 163 x 92 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 1450 g |
| Optics | 76/100 | 75/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Nikon D6 is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting at 14 fps against the 5D Mark IV's 7 fps, with 105 autofocus points against 61. That means twice the frames to choose from at the action's peak. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the better pick when cropping latitude matters, with 30.4 megapixels against the D6's 20.8. More pixels in the file leave room to crop a distant subject or print large. Both use full frame CMOS sensors, share a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and lack in-body stabilisation. The D6's standard ISO ceiling runs higher, 102400 against 32000. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
30.4 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. |
6720 x 4480 | 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. |
7 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. |
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. |
320003003280000 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 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 | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the better camera for slow-motion editing, recording up to 120 fps against the D6's 60 fps. A sprinter or a bird taking off stretches to half speed on a 60 fps timeline with no frame duplication. At normal speed the two are matched on resolution, both topping out at 4K, and both offer a built-in interval timer for timelapses. | ||
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. |
120 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. |
 Yes | 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 offers the clearer rear screen for reviewing images, with 2,359,000 dots against 1,620,000 on the Canon. It also supports Bluetooth, which the 5D Mark IV lacks, keeping a low-power link to a phone alive between Wi-Fi transfers. Connectivity and protection match. Both have GPS for geotagging files, weather sealing for rain and dust, a 3.2 inch touch screen, Wi-Fi and live view. Neither has a flip-out screen or built-in flash, but both accept external flash units. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon D6 suits long shooting days, rated for 3580 shots per charge against 900 for the 5D Mark IV under their respective test conditions. It also supports USB charging, so the battery tops up between sessions without a dedicated charger. Card formats differ. The D6 takes CFexpress and XQD media, while the 5D Mark IV takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Compact Flash, so existing SD cards carry over to the Canon. Both have dual card slots. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash | CFexpress, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6N | EN-EL18c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
900 shots1505000 | 3580 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D6 if your work is built around fast action, such as sports, news or wildlife. There, its 14 fps burst, 105 autofocus points and 3580-shot battery rating keep pace with long events.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for landscape, portrait or travel work, where 30.4 megapixels give cropping room for large prints, and for slow-motion video projects at up to 120 fps. Existing lenses in Canon EF or Nikon F remain the first filter on this decision.