Nikon D4s vs Canon EOS R

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D4s and Canon EOS R. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D4s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D4s were released 2014 and Canon EOS R was released 2018. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D4s 2014
Canon EOS R 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D4s is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R is a Mirrorless 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 **
Nikon D4s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D4s has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R has 30 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D4s 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280
Canon EOS R 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS R has a 86 % larger resolution than Nikon D4s. 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 R has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D4s. Canon EOS R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 40000 while Nikon D4s has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D4s 100-25600
Canon EOS R 100-40000

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 R 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 Nikon D4s
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D4s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D4s 11
Canon EOS R 8

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D4s and Canon EOS R 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 D4s weighs 1350 gr (equal to 2.98 lb) which is 105% heavier than Canon EOS R and its 660 gr (or 1.46 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D4s 1350 gr
2.98 lb
Canon EOS R 660 gr
1.46 lb

Nikon D4s vs Canon EOS R Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D4s and Canon EOS R, 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
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Name Nikon D4s Canon EOS R
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Release Year 2014 2018
Release Date 2014-02-25 2018-09-05
MSRP 6499 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4928 x 3280 pixels 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 30 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 40000
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 5655
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Frames per second 11 fps 8 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Memory Card Compact Flash
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or WT-4A
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (wired or wireless) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS R
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL18a rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3020 shots 370 shots
Width 160 mm 136 mm
Height 157 mm 98 mm
Depth 91 mm 84 mm
Weight 1350 gram 660 gram