Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 70D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 70D were released 2013 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 70D 2013
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 70D 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 70D 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 70D has a 20,2 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 70D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Canon EOS 70D has a 66 % 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 70D. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Canon EOS 70D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 70D 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 70D
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 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 70D 7
Nikon D3 9

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 70D. Unfortunately Nikon D3 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 72% heavier than Canon EOS 70D and its 755 gr (or 1.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 70D 755 gr
1.66 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 70D 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 70D
Nikon D3
Name Canon EOS 70D Nikon D3
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Release Year 2013 2007
Release Date 2013-07-02 2007-08-23
MSRP 1199 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 70D
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 5472 x 3648 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 20,2 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 70D
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 70D
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 19 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 70D
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 922000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT color LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Frames per second 7 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 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
No
Remote Control Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
Yes
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-E2
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 920 shots 4300 shots
Width 139 mm 160 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 79 mm 88 mm
Weight 755 gram 1300 gram