• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D800
  • Canon PowerShot D20
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D800 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D700
D700 vs D800
Canon D10
D10 vs D20
Successor: Nikon D810
D800 vs D810
Canon D30
D20 vs D30
General
Model Number: D800 D20
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.95 $349.99
Street Price: $1,849.95 $329.95
Date Available: 2012-03-30 2012-05-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
8.0 oz (227 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
4.4 x 2.8 x 1.1 in.
(112 x 71 x 28 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a  
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 36.3 12.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.88 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 95  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.3  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,853  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1220 x 1220 (1.5 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.0 1.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Monoaural Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: n/a Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual):   5 - 25mm
Zoom Ratio:   5.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.9 (W) / f/4.8 (T) - f/8
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options. Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/1600 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area) Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: None Movie Digest, Portrait, Smart Shutter, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, Underwater, Underwater Macro, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Stitch Assist, iFrame Movie, Super Slow Motion Movie
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent Auto ISO: 30cm - 3.4m (W), 1.0 - 3.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range)  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I  
Other Memory: UDMA7/UHS-I compliant  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF  
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Monoaural Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless  
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm) Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42 1.93
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.0 1.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 54  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 14  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.39 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.74 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.184 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.044 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 1.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.8 seconds 6.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   280 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 900 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL15 Proprietary NB-6L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, New EXPEED 3 processor, 91K-dot Matrix Metering III, Improved Auto ISO, Full HD 1080p30 movies, HMDI simultaneous output, Dual SD+CF slots, USB 3.0. Waterproof down to 33 feet, Shockproof up to 5 feet, Freezeproof down to 14F, Intelligent IS, DIGIC 4, HS System, Smart Auto, Built-in GPS with latitude, longitude, and elevation information.