Canon EOS R6 vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R6 and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS R6 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D850 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS R6 were released 2020 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R6 2020
Nikon D850 2017

Type of camera

Canon EOS R6 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D850 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 R6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D850 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 R6 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D850 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R6 20 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 128 % larger resolution than Canon EOS R6. 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 R6 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D850. Canon EOS R6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D850 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R6 100-102400
Nikon D850 64-25600

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R6 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 R6
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R6 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R6 20
Nikon D850 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS R6 and Nikon D850 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 48% heavier than Canon EOS R6 and its 680 gr (or 1.5 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R6 680 gr
1.5 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Canon EOS R6 vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R6 and Nikon D850, 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 R6
Nikon D850
Name Canon EOS R6 Nikon D850
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Release Year 2020 2017
Release Date 2020-07-09 2017-07-25
MSRP 2499 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 46 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 102400 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 14
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 1053 151
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 R6
Nikon D850
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1620000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Frames per second 20 fps 9 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 No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight 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 R6
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
MPEG4
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in ( 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R6
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 360 shots 1840 shots
Width 138 mm 146 mm
Height 98 mm 124 mm
Depth 88 mm 79 mm
Weight 680 gram 1005 gram