• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3400 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $2899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 900 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Nikon D3400

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.36 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,995 vs 1,192 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    19 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D3400
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D3400
Nikon D810
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon T6i
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D5500
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D3400
Canon SL2
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon SL2
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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