Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon D4
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS R3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS R3 were released 2021 and Nikon D4 was released 2012. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Canon EOS R3 | 2021 |
| Nikon D4 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Canon EOS R3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D4 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.
| Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
| Canon EOS R3 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
| Nikon D4 | 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 R3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
| Camera | Megapixels |
| Canon EOS R3 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
| Nikon D4 |
16,2 MP
16163840 pixels 4928 x 3280 |
Canon EOS R3 has a 48 % larger resolution than Nikon D4. 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 D4 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS R3. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Canon EOS R3 has 100 to 102400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS R3 | 100-102400 |
| Nikon D4 | 100-204800 |
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.
Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R3 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R3 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS R3 | 30 |
| Nikon D4 | 11 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D4 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 D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 32% heavier than Canon EOS R3 and its 1015 gr (or 2.24 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS R3 | 1015 gr 2.24 lb |
| Nikon D4 | 1340 gr 2.95 lb |
Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon D4 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D4, 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 R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Name | Canon EOS R3 | Nikon D4 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2012 |
| Release Date | 2021-04-14 | 2012-01-06 |
| MSRP | 5999 USD | 5999 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 4928 x 3280 pixels |
| Megapixels | 24 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 102400 | 100 - 204800 |
| White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
| Custom White Balance | No | Yes |
| Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
| Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous LiveView |
| Focus Points | 1053 | 51 |
| Lens Mount |
Canon RF See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
| Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
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 R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2” | 3,2” |
| Screen dots | 4150000 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT color LCD with brightness control |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.76× | 0.7× |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5760000 | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Frames per second | 30 fps | 11 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 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 R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 H.265 |
MPEG4 H.264 |
| Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 4096 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash XQD |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | No |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Yes Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
|
| Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) | Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal) |
| GPS |
Yes Built-in |
Yes GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
|
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS R3 |
Nikon D4 |
| Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Built-in | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 760 shots | N/A |
| Width | 150 mm | 160 mm |
| Height | 143 mm | 157 mm |
| Depth | 87 mm | 91 mm |
| Weight | 1015 gram | 1340 gram |