Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Nikon D800 Compare

Here you can find digital cameras comparison. Pick up with the best rating.

Cameras which are being compared are Professional DSLR cameras.

EOS 1D X Mark II vs D800 - Side by side

Learn more about compared cameras specifications below.

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Nikon D800 Specs

EOS 1D X Mark II

  • Introduced in February 2016
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 20 megapixel
  • 14 frames/second
  • 100 – 51200 ISO
  • 4096 x 2160 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 81.00mm (3.2″) Monitor
  • Lens mount EF
  • No WiFi
  • 158 x 167.6 x 82.6mm³ (6.2″ x 6.6″ x 3.3″)
  • 1340g (43.2 oz.)

All specs: Main page for EOS 1D X Mark II

D800

  • Introduced in February 2012
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 36 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 6400 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 80.00mm (3.1″) Monitor
  • Lens mount F
  • No WiFi
  • 146 x 123 x 81.5mm³ (5.7″ x 4.8″ x 3.2″)
  • 1000g (32.3 oz.)

All specs: Main page for D800

EOS 1D X Mark II vs D800 Sensors

On the pictures below the sensor areas of cameras are highlighted.

This infographic highlights the sensor areas of both models compared to other common sensor formats:

Info graphic: EOS 1D X Mark II an D800 sensor comparison

EOS 1D X Mark II vs D800: Viewfinder

EOS 1D X Mark II has an optical viewfinder with penta prism. It has magnification of 0.76x and covers 100% of view field.

The D800 features an optical viewfinder with a penta prism that also covers 100% of the field of view, its magnification is c. 0.70x.

Viewfinder magnifications of compared cameras. The black area shows a magnification of 1x, relative to native size; in red is a magnification of 0.85x.

EOS 1D X Mark II (0.76x)

D800 (0.70x)

Better choice: Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II VS Nikon D800 Other Specs Comparison

Why is Canon EOS 1D X Mark II a better choice

EOS 1D X Mark II

D800

Higher speed (4, frames/second)

14 4
Auto Focus points (4)

61 51
Better sensibility (4)

100 – 51200 ISO 100 – 6400 ISO
Better monitor (2, Megapixel)

1.62 0.92
Touch screen (2)

Better Video (2)

4096 x 2160 1920 x 1080
Longer battery life (3, photos)

1210 1200
GPS (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the EOS 1D X Mark II are that the camera is faster, the faster and more accurate auto focus and the larger sensitivity. We also like that the display has a higher resolution, the rather comfortable touch screen and the superior video recording. A recommendation of the EOS 1D X Mark II is made easy by that the battery has more stamina and the built-in GPS.

The EOS 1D X Mark II scores 23 points.

Otherwise why to choose Nikon D800

EOS 1D X Mark II

D800

Wider resolution (5, megapixel)

20.20 36.30
Built-in flash (2)

Weighs less (2)

1340g
(43.2 oz.)
1000g
(32.3 oz.)
More portable (2)

2187cm³
(138 cu.in.)
1464cm³
(92 cu.in.)

Conclusion: Advantages of the D800 are the higher resolution, the built-in flash and the lower weight than the EOS 1D X Mark II. Another advantage over the EOS 1D X Mark II: the more compact size.

Yields 11 points for the D800.

Common Specs for both cameras compared

EOS 1D X Mark II

D800

Sensor format

Full frame Full frame
Sensor cleaning

Lens selection

200 200
External microphone

Environmental sealing

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II VS Nikon D800 Dimensions

Look at front view of the EOS 1D X Mark II and D800

Top view of cameras

Total scores

Here’s the total score according to comparison above:

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

Nikon D800

23
11

We recommend Canon EOS 1D X Mark II as better choice.