Canon EOS 850D vs Nikon D3x

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 850D and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 850D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 850D were released 2020 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 850D 2020
Nikon D3x 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 850D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3x 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 850D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3x 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 850D has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3x has 24,5 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3x 24,5 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon D3x has a 2 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 850D. 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 850D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Canon EOS 850D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600
Nikon D3x 100-6400

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 850D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3x

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3x can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 850D 7,5
Nikon D3x 5

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 850D. Unfortunately Nikon D3x 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 D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 145% heavier than Canon EOS 850D and its 515 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb
Nikon D3x 1260 gr
2.78 lb

Canon EOS 850D vs Nikon D3x Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 850D and Nikon D3x, 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 850D
Nikon D3x
Name Canon EOS 850D Nikon D3x
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Release Year 2020 2008
Release Date 2020-02-12 2008-12-01
MSRP 749 USD 7470 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24,5 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 8 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 6400
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
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 45 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 850D
Nikon D3x
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Frames per second 7,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 4 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
No
Remote Control Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 850D
Nikon D3x
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots 4400 shots
Width 131 mm 160 mm
Height 103 mm 157 mm
Depth 76 mm 88 mm
Weight 515 gram 1260 gram