Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography vs Nikon D800
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
These two camera models were both released 2012.| Camera | Released |
| Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography | 2012 |
| 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 60D Astrophotography has a "Canon APS-C"-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 60D Astrophotography | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
| 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 60D Astrophotography has a 18 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 60D Astrophotography |
18 MP
17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456 |
| Nikon D800 |
36,3 MP
36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912 |
Nikon D800 has a 102 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography. 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 60D Astrophotography has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography | 100-51200 |
| 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 60D Astrophotography
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 60D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography | 5,3 |
| 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 60D Astrophotography 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.
Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 19% heavier than Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography and its 755 gr (or 1.66 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography | 755 gr 1.66 lb |
| Nikon D800 | 900 gr 1.98 lb |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography vs Nikon D800 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography 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 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Name | Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography | Nikon D800 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2012 |
| Release Date | 2012-04-07 | 2012-02-07 |
| MSRP | 1499 USD | 2999 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| 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 | 5184 x 3456 pixels | 7360 x 4912 pixels |
| Megapixels | 18 MP | 36,3 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 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 60D Astrophotography |
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 | 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 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
| Screen dots | 1040000 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | No | No |
| Screen type | Clear View TFT color LCD | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 96% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Frames per second | 5,3 fps | 6 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 13 meters | 12 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
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 | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Port | No | Yes |
| Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
|
| Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
| GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1
|
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 60D Astrophotography |
Nikon D800 |
| Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1100 shots | 900 shots |
| Width | 145 mm | 146 mm |
| Height | 106 mm | 123 mm |
| Depth | 79 mm | 82 mm |
| Weight | 755 gram | 900 gram |