Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D vs Nikon D80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D
33
SCORE
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Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D80
34
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D and the Nikon D80 are APS-C DSLRs from 2006, and the lens system is the first decision: the Canon takes EF-S lenses and the Nikon takes F DX. Each is an interchangeable-lens camera with an optical viewfinder and a single card slot, so the lens collection is the long-term commitment. The XTi is the smaller and lighter body at 127 x 94 x 65 mm and 556 g, against 132 x 103 x 77 mm and 668 g for the D80. That is a 112 g difference between the bare bodies. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2006 | August 9, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 65 mm | 132 x 103 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 556 g | 668 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 39/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D80 has the more flexible autofocus array, with 11 focus points against the XTi's 9, two extra placements for off-centre subjects like a portrait or flower. Its finder uses a pentaprism rather than the XTi's pentamirror, and its sensor is a CCD against the Canon's CMOS, both in the APS-C format. Resolution gives neither camera a cropping edge, at 10.1 versus 10 megapixels. The D80 offers a 3200 ISO expanded ceiling against the XTi's 1600, while both standard ranges run from 100 to 1600 ISO. The remaining shooting settings are shared. Both shoot at 3 fps, top out at a 1/4000 second shutter, and lack in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3888 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
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. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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. |
3 fps045 | 3 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. |
Digic II | Nikon Image processing engine |
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. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
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. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
90300 | 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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Any moving-image work, from clips to timelapses, calls for a different camera altogether. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | 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. |
N/A | 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. |
N/A | 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. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D80 supports wireless transfer, the one feature difference between them, so you can move files off the camera without a cable, while the XTi has no wireless option. That matters for a studio hand-off or any quick-delivery workflow. The screens match at 2.5 inches and 230,000 dots, so neither body offers a larger display for reviewing shots. Both carry a built-in flash and support external flash, while neither has weather sealing, live view, a tilting screen or touch control. Neither has GPS, so landscape location tags need another tool. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D80 holds the decisive battery advantage, rated for 2700 shots per charge against the XTi's 370, a 2330-shot difference. The two take different batteries, Canon's NB-2LH and Nikon's EN-EL3e, so spares are not interchangeable. Storage formats split the pair as well. The XTi takes Compact Flash Type I or II cards while the D80 takes SD and SDHC, so match the purchase to the cards you already own. Neither body has dual card slots or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 2700 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon D80 is the stronger pick for most buyers. Its 2700-shot battery rating, SD card format, 11-point autofocus and wireless transfer all favour a long shooting day, from an all-afternoon event to a trip where charging is uncertain.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D instead when you already own Canon EF-S lenses or Compact Flash cards, since the mounts and card formats differ and carry your accessories with them. Resolution does not separate the pair, so the choice rests on battery rating, card format and mount rather than image detail.