Nikon D800e vs Canon EOS Rebel XT

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800e and Canon EOS Rebel XT. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D800e is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Rebel XT is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D800e were released 2012 and Canon EOS Rebel XT was released 2005. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800e 2012
Canon EOS Rebel XT 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D800e has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XT 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 D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS Rebel XT 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 D800e has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XT has 8 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Canon EOS Rebel XT 8 MP
7962624 pixels
3456 x 2304

Nikon D800e has a 354 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XT. 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 D800e has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XT. Nikon D800e has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS Rebel XT has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800e 100-25600
Canon EOS Rebel XT 100-1600

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 D800e
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XT

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XT can shoot up to 2,8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800e 6
Canon EOS Rebel XT 2,8

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D800e. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XT does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D800e weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 67% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XT and its 540 gr (or 1.19 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XT 540 gr
1.19 lb

Nikon D800e vs Canon EOS Rebel XT Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800e and Canon EOS Rebel XT, 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 D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Name Nikon D800e Canon EOS Rebel XT
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Release Year 2012 2005
Release Date 2012-02-07 2005-02-17
MSRP 3299 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
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 3456 x 2304 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 8 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 1600
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 D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 7
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 D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 1.8”
Screen dots 921000 115000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Frames per second 6 fps 2,8 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
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 D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800e
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack NB-2LH
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots N/A
Width 146 mm 127 mm
Height 123 mm 94 mm
Depth 82 mm 64 mm
Weight 900 gram 540 gram