• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 1210 shots
    Capture more photos

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $2999 vs $4800
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    14.1 fps vs 10.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 78 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Premium Kit
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • Read our Nikon D4S Review

  • Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

  • Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

  • Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 1DX
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D4
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $6989
  • 35mm

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D5

Nikon D4S
Nikon D5
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D5
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D5

Compared to Nikon D6

Nikon D4S
Nikon D6
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D6

Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D6
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D6

Compare Other Cameras?