Nikon D810 vs Canon EOS 1200D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D810 and Canon EOS 1200D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D810 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1200D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2014.

Camera Released
Nikon D810 2014
Canon EOS 1200D 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D810 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1200D 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 D810 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 1200D 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 D810 has a 36 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1200D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Canon EOS 1200D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Nikon D810 has a 102 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1200D. 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 D810 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1200D. Nikon D810 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 12800 while Canon EOS 1200D has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D810 64-12800
Canon EOS 1200D 100-6400

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 D810
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1200D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1200D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D810 5
Canon EOS 1200D 3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D810 and Canon EOS 1200D 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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 104% heavier than Canon EOS 1200D and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb
Canon EOS 1200D 480 gr
1.06 lb

Nikon D810 vs Canon EOS 1200D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D810 and Canon EOS 1200D, 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 D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Name Nikon D810 Canon EOS 1200D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Release Year 2014 2014
Release Date 2014-06-26 2014-02-12
MSRP 3299 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
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 MP 18 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
ISO Range 64 - 12800 100 - 6400
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 + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
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 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 D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 1229000 460000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD (WRGB) TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (tunnel) 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 D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Frames per second 5 fps 3 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 9 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
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 D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
No
Remote Control Yes Yes (E3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D810
Canon EOS 1200D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 500 shots
Width 146 mm 130 mm
Height 123 mm 100 mm
Depth 82 mm 78 mm
Weight 980 gram 480 gram