Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 50D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D1 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 50D were released 2008 and Nikon D1 was released 1999. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 50D 2008
Nikon D1 1999

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-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 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D1 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 50D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312

Canon EOS 50D has a 474 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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 50D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800
Nikon D1 200-1600

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 50D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 50D 6,3
Nikon D1 4,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 50D or Nikon D1 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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.

Nikon D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 46% heavier than Canon EOS 50D and its 822 gr (or 1.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D1, 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 50D
Nikon D1
Name Canon EOS 50D Nikon D1
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Release Year 2008 1999
Release Date 2008-08-26 1999-06-15
MSRP 1399 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 2,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 6 6
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 50D
Nikon D1
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
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 5
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 2”
Screen dots 920000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Frames per second 6,3 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots N/A
Width 146 mm 157 mm
Height 108 mm 153 mm
Depth 74 mm 85 mm
Weight 822 gram 1200 gram