Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV were released 2009 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 2009
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor while Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a 16,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 16,1 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 126 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 50-102400
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 10
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Nikon D800 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV weighs 1230 gr (equal to 2.71 lb) which is 37% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 1230 gr
2.71 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Nikon D800, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Name Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Nikon D800
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Release Year 2009 2012
Release Date 2009-10-20 2012-02-07
MSRP 4999 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 16,1 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 3
Image
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
ISO Range 50 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 51
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 920000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Frames per second 10 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1500 shots 900 shots
Width 156 mm 146 mm
Height 157 mm 123 mm
Depth 80 mm 82 mm
Weight 1230 gram 900 gram