Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 50D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 50D were released 2008 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 50D 2008
Nikon D3 2007

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 D3 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 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3 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 50D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 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 D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Canon EOS 50D has a 25 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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

Nikon D3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 50D. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Canon EOS 50D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800
Nikon D3 200-25600

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 50D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

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 D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 50D 6,3
Nikon D3 9

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 50D or Nikon D3 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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 58% heavier than Canon EOS 50D and its 822 gr (or 1.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D3, 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 D3
Name Canon EOS 50D Nikon D3
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
Release Year 2008 2007
Release Date 2008-08-26 2007-08-23
MSRP 1399 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 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 50D
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
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
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 50D
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
Frames per second 6,3 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 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 Yes
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 D3
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 D3
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots 4300 shots
Width 146 mm 160 mm
Height 108 mm 157 mm
Depth 74 mm 88 mm
Weight 822 gram 1300 gram