Canon EOS 6D Mark II vs Nikon D800 — 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 · 36.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D800
69
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Nikon D800 are full frame DSLRs separated by five years, the Canon arriving in 2017 and the Nikon in 2012. The 6D Mark II is the lighter body at 453 g, against 1000 g for the D800. It is also smaller at 144 x 111 x 75 mm versus 146 x 123 x 82 mm, so it takes up less room in a bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 29, 2017 | February 7, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 111 x 75 mm | 146 x 123 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 453 g | 1000 g |
| Optics | 69/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D800 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 36.3 megapixels against 26.2 on the 6D Mark II. That extra resolution gives more room to crop a distant animal or print a landscape big. The balance shifts for movement: the 6D Mark II shoots at 6.5 frames per second against 4, a useful edge for approaching wildlife or fleeting expressions at an event. The D800 also offers a shorter minimum exposure at 1/8000 second versus 1/4000, handy for wide apertures in bright daylight. The 6D Mark II provides a higher native ISO ceiling of 40000 against 6400, giving more settings in dim venues. Each takes its own system, Canon EF on one side and Nikon F FX on the other, so lenses follow the mount you build around. Both pair a full frame CMOS sensor with a pentaprism viewfinder and neither stabilises in body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
26.2 MP050 | 36.3 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 | 7360 x 4912 |
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 | 4 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 | 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. |
450300 | 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 | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 6D Mark II is the better pick for slowing fast action, recording up to 60 frames per second where the D800 stops at 30. That headroom lets fast movement be slowed in playback while staying smooth. Both cameras cap video at Full HD resolution, and both offer a built-in interval timer for timelapse work. | ||
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 |
| Features | 83/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 6D Mark II is the more connected camera for field work, pairing Wi-Fi with Bluetooth and GPS so images reach a phone easily and locations tag themselves. Its flip-out touchscreen lets you frame low ground-level shots or overhead angles and set the focus point with a tap. The D800 answers with a built-in flash for quick fill light when no speedlight is packed. The D800 shows images on the larger 3.2-inch screen, while the 6D Mark II counters with a higher-resolution display, 1040000 dots against 921000, for more detailed on-camera playback. Both are weather sealed for changeable outdoor conditions, and both offer live view for tripod and manual-focus work. | ||
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 carries the longer rated stamina, 1200 shots against 900 for the D800. The D800 counters with dual card slots, so an SD card and a CompactFlash card can stay loaded at the same time. The Canon uses a single SD slot. Neither battery charges over USB, so plan on a charger in the bag. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash |
| 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
Choose the 6D Mark II if you shoot handheld and on the move: its 6.5 fps burst handles action, and it adds 60 fps video, a flip-out touchscreen, GPS tagging and Bluetooth sharing. Choose the D800 when resolution rules the work. Its 36.3 megapixels suit landscape, architecture and studio stills needing deep crops or very large prints, and its dual card slots suit long sessions on a tripod. Lens ownership should anchor the final call, since the EF and F mounts do not share glass.