• APS-H 518.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Nikon Df

  • Less expensive
    $1900* vs $2997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    39 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Df advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-H
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 5.70 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,279 vs 1,320 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 46 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon Df
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life

  • Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot

  • Read our Nikon Df Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3X
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3X

Nikon Df
Nikon D3X
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Df vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3S
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S

Nikon Df
Nikon D3S
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More pixels
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon Df vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 7D
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 7D

Nikon Df
Canon 7D
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 1D Mark IV
Sony A99
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Sony A99

Nikon Df
Sony A99
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

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