Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D6 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D6 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D6 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II was released 2016. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D6 2020
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

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 D6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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 D6 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D6 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 20 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Nikon D6 has a 4 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D X Mark II. 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 D6 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D X Mark II. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D6 100-102400
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 100-51200

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 Nikon D6
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II can shoot up to 16 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D6 14
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 16

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D6 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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.

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II weighs 1530 gr (equal to 3.37 lb) which is 20% heavier than Nikon D6 and its 1270 gr (or 2.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 1530 gr
3.37 lb

Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D6 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II, 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 D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Name Nikon D6 Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Release Year 2020 2016
Release Date 2019-09-04 2016-02-02
MSRP 6499 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
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 5568 x 3712 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 20 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL DIGIC 6+
Image
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 51200
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 RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
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 105 61
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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 D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 1620000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72x 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Frames per second 14 fps 16 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
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
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Optional via WFT-E8
Remote Control Yes (Wired or smartphone) Supported
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Built-in (with e-compass)
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3580 shots 1210 shots
Width 160 mm 158 mm
Height 163 mm 168 mm
Depth 92 mm 83 mm
Weight 1270 gram 1530 gram