• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Canon EOS-1D C

  • Less expensive
    $3000 vs $15000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    1008g vs 1545g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon EOS-1D C advantages over Nikon D800

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.94 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D800

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS-1D C
Body Only
All EOS-1D C Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D800
Canon 1DX
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 1DX
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Headphone jack
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lighter weight
  • More pixels

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D800E
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D800
Nikon D4S
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D4S

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

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D810
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D810

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