Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-E1 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-E1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-E1 2012
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-E1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-E1 has a "Fujifilm 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 **
Fujifilm X-E1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-E1 has a 16 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
Fujifilm X-E1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 126 % larger resolution than Fujifilm X-E1. 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 Fujifilm X-E1. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Fujifilm X-E1 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-E1 200-6400
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 Fujifilm X-E1
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. Fujifilm X-E1 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-E1 6
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Fujifilm X-E1 and Nikon D800 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 157% heavier than Fujifilm X-E1 and its 350 gr (or 0.77 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-E1 350 gr
0.77 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-E1 and Nikon D800, 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
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Name Fujifilm X-E1 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-09-06 2012-02-07
MSRP 999 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXR Pro EXPEED 3
Image
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 51
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.8” 3,2”
Screen dots 460000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD monitor TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Frames per second 6 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Optional through RR-80
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-W126 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 900 shots
Width 129 mm 146 mm
Height 75 mm 123 mm
Depth 38 mm 82 mm
Weight 350 gram 900 gram