Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D800 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS M is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M 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 D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M 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 D800 has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Nikon D800 has a 102 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M. 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 Canon EOS M. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
Canon EOS M 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-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 M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D800 and Canon EOS M 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 202% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 and Canon EOS M, 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 D800
Canon EOS M
Name Nikon D800 Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-02-07 2012-07-23
MSRP 2999 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
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 7360 x 4912 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 18 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DIGIC 5
Image
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
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 D800
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 31
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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 D800
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 6 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 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, 1 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
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
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) No
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 230 shots
Width 146 mm 109 mm
Height 123 mm 66 mm
Depth 82 mm 32 mm
Weight 900 gram 298 gram