Canon EOS Rebel XT vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XT and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS Rebel XT

Nikon D800

Manufacturing

Canon EOS Rebel XT is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS Rebel XT were released 2005 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS Rebel XT	2005
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 Rebel XT 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 Rebel XT	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 Rebel XT has a 8 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 Rebel XT	8 MP 7962624 pixels 3456 x 2304
Nikon D800	36,3 MP 36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 354 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XT. 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XT. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS Rebel XT has 100 to 1600.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XT	100-1600
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 Rebel XT
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 Rebel XT can shoot up to 2,8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XT	2,8
Nikon D800	6

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D800. Sadly, the Canon EOS Rebel XT does not support this.

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 67% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XT and its 540 gr (or 1.19 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XT	540 gr 1.19 lb
Nikon D800	900 gr 1.98 lb