Canon EOS 6D Mark II vs Nikon D610 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 26.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
71
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D610
66
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Nikon D610 are DSLRs from different generations: Canon announced the 6D Mark II in June 2017, Nikon the D610 in October 2013. Each takes its own native lens system, Canon EF or Nikon F FX, so an existing lens collection settles the mount question. The Canon is the far lighter body, 453 g against 850 g for the Nikon, a difference of 397 g. Dimensions are close at 144 x 111 x 75 mm against 141 x 113 x 82 mm, so the saving is weight rather than bulk. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 29, 2017 | October 8, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 111 x 75 mm | 141 x 113 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 453 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 69/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsISO range is where the 6D Mark II pulls ahead, with a standard ceiling of 40000 against 6400 and expanded settings to 102400 versus 25600. Its 26.2 megapixels against 24 give extra latitude for cropping or larger prints. Its 45 autofocus points outnumber the D610's 39, and its 6.5 fps burst slightly outpaces 6 fps. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, share a 100 ISO base, a 1/4000 second maximum shutter and pentaprism viewfinders, and offer no in-body stabilisation. Each relies on a stabilised lens or shutter speed for handheld work, so neither gains a stabilisation advantage. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
26.2 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6240 x 4160 | 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 35.9 | 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. |
6.5 fps045 | 6 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. |
Digic 7 | Expeed 3 |
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. |
400003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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. |
1024003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
450300 | 390300 |
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 | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion the 6D Mark II is the clear pick, recording at up to 60 fps while the D610 stops at 30 fps. The extra frames let you slow a runner or waves to half speed in the edit. Both cap out at Full HD resolution, so neither suits a 4K workflow, and both offer built-in timelapse. File formats differ, with the Canon recording MP4 or MOV and the Nikon MPEG-4, which can matter for editing software support. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | 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. |
1920 x 1080 | 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 | 30 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. |
MP4, MOV | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 83/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesShooting flexibility belongs to the 6D Mark II: its screen flips out for waist-level or overhead work, and touch input speeds focus-point selection in live view. The D610's fixed screen is slightly larger at 3.2 inches versus the Canon's 3, but it neither tilts nor responds to touch, and its 921000 dots trail the Canon's 1040000. Connectivity favours the Canon, which adds GPS tagging for travel and landscape archives plus Bluetooth, while the D610 offers Wi-Fi only. The Nikon keeps a built-in flash for fill light. Both offer weather sealing, live view and external flash support. | ||
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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe 6D Mark II holds the endurance advantage, rated for 1200 shots per charge against 900 for the D610, a 300-shot lead under their test conditions. Its SD slot is UHS-I compatible for faster transfers with a suitable card. The D610 counters with two SD card slots, so a second card is always in the body, while the Canon has one. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6N | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1200 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers buying a full-frame DSLR, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is the better-supported choice. Its flip-out touchscreen, GPS and Bluetooth, 60 fps video ceiling, longer battery rating and lighter 453 g body suit travel, landscape and general shooting.
Choose the Nikon D610 if you already own Nikon F lenses, or if its built-in fill flash and two card slots suit your workflow. Otherwise the Canon's newer feature set makes it the easier choice.