Canon EOS 7D Mark II vs Nikon D3400 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
60
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3400
61
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 7D Mark II and the Nikon D3400 are APS-C DSLRs aimed at very different photographic work. The 7D Mark II arrived in 2014 as a large, fast-shooting body with weather sealing, while the D3400 followed in 2016 as a compact, lightweight model. The physical gap is wide: the Canon measures 149 x 112 x 78 mm and weighs 910 g, whereas the Nikon measures 124 x 98 x 76 mm and weighs 445 g, less than half as much. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 15, 2014 | August 17, 2016 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 149 x 112 x 78 mm | 124 x 98 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 910 g | 445 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 7D Mark II is the stronger choice for photographing fast action. It shoots at 10 fps against the D3400's 5 fps, focuses through 65 AF points instead of 11, and offers a shorter 1/8000-second maximum exposure for freezing motion in bright light. Its viewfinder is a pentaprism design, while the D3400 uses a lighter pentamirror. The D3400's 24.2-megapixel sensor gives you more pixels for cropping distant subjects than the 7D Mark II's 20.2 megapixels. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, and neither offers in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results depend on shutter speed and lens. Lens choice follows brand: the Canon takes EF-S mount lenses, the Nikon F DX mount lenses. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 24.2 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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. |
15 x 22.4 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 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-S | Nikon F DX |
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. |
160003003280000 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
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. |
650300 | 110300 |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual video both cameras are matched: maximum resolution is Full HD and maximum frame rate is 60 fps, so neither offers 4K for large-screen playback or extra room to crop in the edit. Neither has a built-in timelapse mode. The 7D Mark II offers a choice of MOV or MP4 recording, while the D3400 records MOV only. | ||
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 | 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 | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS 7D Mark II offers more working protection and location tools for outdoor shoots. It has weather sealing, built-in GPS for tagging wildlife and travel locations, and WiFi for wireless transfer, while the D3400 has none of these and instead supports Bluetooth for phone pairing. Both provide a 3-inch fixed non-touch LCD with live view and a built-in flash; the Canon's screen has 1,040,000 dots against the Nikon's 921,000. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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 | No |
| 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 65/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3400 runs far longer per charge in its rated test, at 1200 shots against 670 for the 7D Mark II, which suits long days of shooting without a spare battery. The Canon counters with dual card slots, taking SD plus CompactFlash, so you can keep two cards loaded, while the Nikon has a single SD slot. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | LP-E6N | EN-EL14a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
670 shots1505000 | 1200 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the EOS 7D Mark II if you photograph sports, wildlife or birds in flight. Its 10 fps burst, 65-point AF system, 1/8000-second shutter and weather sealing suit that kind of work, and the dual card slots keep you shooting through a long session. Choose the D3400 for travel, family and everyday photography, where its 445 g body and 1200-shot battery rating make it far easier to carry and use all day.