Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D6 and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D6 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 500D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D6 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 500D was released 2009. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D6 2020
Canon EOS 500D 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D6 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon D6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 500D has 15,1 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 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Nikon D6 has a 37 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. 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 500D. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS 500D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D6 100-102400
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800

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 500D

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 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D6 14
Canon EOS 500D 3,4

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 500D 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 D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 144% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb

Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS 500D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D6 and Canon EOS 500D, 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 500D
Name Nikon D6 Canon EOS 500D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Release Year 2020 2009
Release Date 2019-09-04 2009-03-25
MSRP 6499 USD 1599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
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
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 105 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2359000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72x 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Frames per second 14 fps 3,4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
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) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Wired or smartphone) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D6
Canon EOS 500D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3580 shots 440 shots
Width 160 mm 129 mm
Height 163 mm 98 mm
Depth 92 mm 62 mm
Weight 1270 gram 520 gram