Nikon D700 vs Canon EOS Ra

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D700 and Canon EOS Ra. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D700 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Ra is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D700 were released 2008 and Canon EOS Ra was released 2018. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D700 2008
Canon EOS Ra 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D700 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS Ra 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 D700 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS Ra 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 D700 has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Ra has 30 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D700 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Canon EOS Ra 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS Ra has a 150 % larger resolution than Nikon D700. 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 Ra has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D700. Canon EOS Ra has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 40000 while Nikon D700 has 200 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D700 200-25600
Canon EOS Ra 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 Ra 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 D700
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Ra

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D700 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Ra can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D700 8
Canon EOS Ra 8

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 Canon EOS Ra. Sadly, the Nikon D700 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 D700 weighs 1074 gr (equal to 2.37 lb) which is 63% heavier than Canon EOS Ra and its 660 gr (or 1.46 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D700 1074 gr
2.37 lb
Canon EOS Ra 660 gr
1.46 lb

Nikon D700 vs Canon EOS Ra Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D700 and Canon EOS Ra, 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 D700
Canon EOS Ra
Name Nikon D700 Canon EOS Ra
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Release Year 2008 2018
Release Date 2008-07-01 2018-11-05
MSRP 2999 USD 2499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
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 4256 x 2832 pixels 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 30 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
ISO Range 200 - 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 RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
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 D700
Canon EOS Ra
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 922000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Frames per second 8 fps 8 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes 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
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Optional Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D700
Canon EOS Ra
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1000 shots 370 shots
Width 147 mm 136 mm
Height 123 mm 98 mm
Depth 77 mm 84 mm
Weight 1074 gram 660 gram