Nikon Df vs Canon 7D Mark II

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Nikon Df vs Canon 7D Mark II

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35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon Df Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Df in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Df.
Compare Nikon Df image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Df conclusion.

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 7D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D Mark II.
Compare Canon 7D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 7D Mark II conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 4.11 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Df test data on DxO Mark 7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

3,279 vs 1,082 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Df test data on DxO Mark 7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.1 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1400 vs 670 shots
Capture more photos
Lighter weight
983g vs 1388g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 103 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Nikon Df

Less expensive
$1799 vs $2997
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 50 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
65 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
65 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Wider angle kit lens
29 mm vs 50 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Df

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens

All Df Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Body with W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter

All 7D Mark II Deals

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

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.
Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.
Read our Canon 7D Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Nikon Df

Canon 7D

$2771
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D

$1599
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df

Canon 6D

$2771
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1599
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2771
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2082
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 5D Mark III

$1599
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$2082
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2771
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A99

$1599
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon Df

Canon 70D

$2771
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

$1599
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

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