- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Nikon D600
- Nikon D4
- Canon EOS 6D
- Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Sony SLT-A99
Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (May, 2012)Boasting a 36-megapixel FX format sensor, the Nikon D800 is currently the highest-resolution “35mm size” digital SLR camera in the world.
Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Just as impressive is the way the 1D X’s sensor manages to resolve detail at high ISOs, particularly up to ISO 25,600.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Nikon D800 compared to the Canon EOS 1D X
MP36.2
Full frame
Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (May, 2012)Featuring a remarkable 36 megapixel full-frame sensor, the D800 also offers 1080p HD video, a 3.2-inch LCD screen and a viewfinder with 100% coverage.
17.9 MP
Full frame
Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)From the blazing processing speeds of the dual DIGIC 5 processors to the class-leading 12fps Continuous shooting speed and exceptional high ISO performance the EOS-1D X really is everything Canon claims it to be.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 36.2 MP   | 40 MP |
D800 by KD (Jun, 2012)The beauty of a high megapixel camera is that it makes your pictures better at the same megapixel size as your last camera!
EOS 1D X by Primus (Dec, 2012)I used the 5D2 alongside the 1D4 in Jasper and found the 1D4 images were crisper, had better color and were overall more pleasing even though the megapixels are less.
sensor size
D800 by Jiunjr-Feng--Robert (Apr, 2012)D800 is my first full frame camera, which I wasn't thinking full frame to be necessary because of good flash is able to handle low light condition, which seems the most key reason for people to choose full frame.
EOS 1D X by Gary-W.-Meyer (Oct, 2012)focus system the best ever from Canon IQ is the best i have seen easy menu system great build on the bodyvery happy with the camera use for wildlife shooting and with the full frame for landscape also...I can see this would be a fantastic camera for weddings also.
viewfinder size
D800 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)Otherwise the Nikon D800 is a highly dependable and capable camera that offers a versatile and improved auto focus system, an enhanced viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and a very good movie mode.
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Thankfully, the 1D X’s viewfinder is superb with a big, bright window providing 100% frame coverage, a 0.76x magnification and the usual diopter correction controls.
body size
146 x 123 x 82 mm
158 x 164 x 83 mm
D800 by Clint (Aug, 2012)It exceeds the quality of medium format film cameras in a much more portable size and weight.
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)While seasoned pros should be used to the size and weight, well-heeled enthusiasts looking for the best camera money can buy may well find it a bit cumbersome.
focus points
| 0 | 61 | 70 |
D800 by P.-SUSo good I am willing to not use any other focus points but the center one for now, until Nikon release a service advisory for it.
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)The 1D X’s AF system is almost identical to the one used by the EOS-5D Mk III and benefits from a total of 61 AF-points, 41 of which are cross-type sensors for faster and more accurate focusing regardless of whether the camera is being held in portrait of landscape orientation.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS 1D X
DxOMark image quality
D800 by Doctor.GenerosityFewer pixels would have enhanced colors and dynamic range and contrast, the non-MP ingredients of meaningful image quality.
EOS 1D X by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012)Not sure how well that would work on subjects moving in the dark, as it might mess up your night vision (though red is the color least likely to break your night vision).
DxOMark low light performance
D800 by J.-Blaha--JrThe automatic white balance in absolutely amazing in low light conditions, as I shot landscape under a full-moon with long exposure the other night, and it looked like the shot was taken during daylight, complete with the blue sky with stars visible and white clouds, which made for a nice wow factor.
continuous shooting
EOS 1D X by TrustedReviews (Sep, 2012)Used in Case 3 and firing off a burst of shots just as the subject entered the frame we managed to attain an exceptionally high hit-rate of pin-sharp images.
battery life
900 photos
1,500 photos
EOS 1D X by lankynibbs (Apr, 2013)Battery life is less than optimal, so count on bringing a second battery to your typical model shoot... you get a little over 1100 pics per fully charged battery pack.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the Canon EOS 1D X
| Much better overall image quality | 95.0 | vs | 82.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 20% better image quality | |||
| Much higher resolution | 36.2 MP | vs | 17.9 MP |
| More than 2x higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| Much more color depth | 25.3 bits | vs | 23.8 bits |
| Around 10% more color depth | |||
| Much better dynamic range | 14.4 ev | vs | 11.8 ev |
| More than 20% better dynamic range | |||
| Has a built-in flash | Built in flash | vs | None |
| About half of cameras have a built-in flash; Take photos in low-light with no extra gear | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Feb, 2012 | vs | Oct, 2011 |
| Announced date 3 months later | |||
| More highly reviewed by consumers | 89.35% | vs | 88.57% |
| Almost the same | |||
| Significantly lighter | 1,000 g | vs | 1,530 g |
| More than 30% lighter | |||
| Significantly smaller | 146 x 123 x 82 mm | vs | 158 x 164 x 83 mm |
| More than 30% smaller | |||
Advantages compared to the Nikon D800
| Much faster rapid fire | 14 fps | vs | 4 fps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5x faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| Much higher light sensitivity | 204,800 ISO | vs | 25,600 ISO |
| 8x higher light sensitivity; Avoid blur in low light situations | |||
| Significantly more cross-type focus points | 41 | vs | 15 |
| 26 more cross type focus points; Easier and faster focusing in low light | |||
| More photos per charge | 1,500 | vs | 900 |
| 600 more shots; Longer battery life | |||
| Bigger viewfinder | 0.76x | vs | 0.72x |
| Around 10% bigger viewfinder size | |||
| More phase-detection focus points | 61 | vs | 51 |
| 10 more phase detection focus points; Faster autofocus in reasonably lit settings | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Nikon D800 | Canon EOS 1D X | ||
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| 
| |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  Rated by 236 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Charles (Jun, 2012) Rated 20% by by E.-K.-Wlin (Jul, 2012)  | Rated by 23 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by T.-Cayton--photographer (Aug, 2012) Rated 80% by by Barry-F.-Shaffer--Photogeek21 (Aug, 2012) Rated 100% by by Stephen-M.-Lerch (Aug, 2012) | |
action
Nikon D800 | Rated 86% by by c|net (Mar, 2012)For a pro camera that's not intended for sports, the D800 delivers excellent shooting performance.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by Ian-Nicholson (Jul, 2012)Some people have complained about the slow frame rate of the D800 and that is a consideration if you are a sports/action shooter.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by J.-Leo (Jul, 2012)IMHO, the D800 will NOT completely replace my D200 for outdoor sports (6 fps with my battery grip), and shooting in direct sunlight.
photography
Nikon D800 | Rated 40% by by Raymond (Jul, 2012)I also shoot Weddings and this camera is definitely not suitable for Wedding Photographers (if you really want this many pixels get the d800) because of the Moire.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by Herman-Au--Herman-AuThe D800 takes a giant leap into the cinematography world with features that will bring tears to enthusiasts holding out for Nikon.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by M.-BillonI just shot a wedding, and I consider the D800 to be an excellent choice for the job.
crosstype
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)While the 5D Mark III requires a minimum aperture of f/4, the D800 can utilize 9 of its center cross-type points at an aperture as narrow as.
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)While the D800 inherits the 51-point AF system of the D4 with 15 cross-type points, the 5D Mark III sports a 61-point AF system shared with the EOS-1D X, in which 41 of these are cross-type points.
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)f/8. The D800's central AF point will still operate as a cross-type point with lens or lens/converter combinations with a maximum aperture of.
autofocus
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)The D800's fast and accurate phase-detection AF system is not available in live view mode, which of course, includes video recording.
Nikon D800 | Rated 60% by by Fabian-GonzalesGiven that your new D800 is likely to have the same AF issue, and given that the sensor is so demanding it will expose every single flaw of every one of your lenses, expect to send both your camera and lenses in to Nikon for service.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by lunitic (May, 2012)Add in latest-gen processing power to handle a 35mm FX sensor rated at 36 MP with an autofocus system not dissimilar from that on the D4 and the D800 pulls an astonishing amount of detail out of the whole frame across a huge range of exposure.
points
Nikon D800 | Rated 40% by by A.-Amiri (Jun, 2012)We conclude that the issue with the accuracy of the outer AF focus points of the D800 is real and probably affects all units out there to some (varying) extent.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D600 Least noise at high ISO |
 | 2 | Nikon D4 2-way tie: Highest ISO |
 | 3 | Canon EOS 6D Good benchmarked shot to shot times |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2-way tie: Many many cross-type focus points |
 | 5 | Sony SLT-A99 Highest resolution screen |
 | 6 | Nikon D3X Most shots per battery charge |
 | 7 | Nikon D3 Little delay taking photos |
 | 8 | Sony SLT A77 Create realistic 3D images |
