Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon Df — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 6D
59
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame
Nikon Df
58
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon Df are both DSLRs, released in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Each pairs a full frame sensor with the classic DSLR body design of its era. Their measurements are close: 145 x 111 x 71 mm for the 6D against 144 x 110 x 67 mm for the Df. The Df is 10 g lighter at 760 g, so neither body has a real weight advantage. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | November 5, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 145 x 111 x 71 mm | 144 x 110 x 67 mm |
| Camera weight | 770 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Nikon Df is the stronger choice for tracking subjects, with 39 autofocus points against 11 on the 6D, giving far more options for off-centre compositions. Its 5.5 fps burst against 4.5 fps adds a modest edge for short action sequences such as a bird taking flight. The Canon EOS 6D is the better pick for heavy cropping and large prints, capturing 20.2 megapixels against the Df's 16.2. Both use a CMOS full frame sensor, so full frame wide-angle framing is available on each. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld frames depend on the lens or shutter speed. The mounts differ, too: Canon EF on the 6D and Nikon F FX on the Df, so each takes its own native lenses. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 16.2 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 | 4928 x 3280 |
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 | 23.9 x 36 |
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. |
4.5 fps045 | 5.5 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. |
Digic 5+ | 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. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 2048003003280000 |
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. |
110300 | 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 | 43/100 | Unscored |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Canon EOS 6D is the only one here that records video, which settles the choice for anyone mixing stills and clips. It records MOV files at up to Full HD, with a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, enough for family clips or behind-the-scenes footage. Neither has a built-in intervalometer, so timelapse needs an external trigger. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | No |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | N/A |
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 | N/A |
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. |
30 fps | N/A |
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 | N/A |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon EOS 6D is the better-connected camera for travel and location work. It has built-in GPS, so landscape and documentary shots are geotagged automatically, and it supports Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone in the field. The Df has neither, which matters if you catalogue shots by place or share without a card reader. Some protections are shared: both have weather sealing and an external flash shoe. The 6D's rear screen is sharper at 1040000 dots against 921000 on the Df, while the Df's is larger at 3.2 inches against 3. Neither screen is touch-sensitive or articulated. | ||
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 | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon Df has the endurance edge for long shooting days, rated at 1400 shots per charge against 1090 for the 6D. Each uses its own battery pack, the LP-E6 and the EN-EL14 respectively, and neither charges over USB. Storage is a shared setup: each takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, and neither has a second slot for backup. One spare card covers a weekend trip for either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | EN-EL14 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1090 shots1505000 | 1400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 6D if you want one camera covering more tasks. Its 20.2 megapixel sensor leaves more room to crop wildlife or print large, and it alone records video, geotags travel shots and sends images over Wi-Fi. For photographers mixing stills and clips, it is the clear choice.
Choose the Nikon Df if you shoot stills only and value focus coverage and endurance over resolution and connectivity. Its 39 AF points spread across the frame for reportage and portraits, and its 5.5 fps burst suits fleeting moments. Existing Nikon F lenses point to the Df, just as Canon EF glass points to the 6D.