Canon EOS 30D vs Nikon D4

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 30D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 30D were released 2006 and Nikon D4 was released 2012. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 30D 2006
Nikon D4 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 30D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D4 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Canon EOS 30D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D4 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 (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 30D has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 30D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336
Nikon D4 16,2 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Nikon D4 has a 97 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 30D. 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 D4 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 30D. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Canon EOS 30D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 30D 100-3200
Nikon D4 100-204800

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 Canon EOS 30D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 30D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 30D 5
Nikon D4 11

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 Nikon D4. Sadly, the Canon EOS 30D 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 D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 71% heavier than Canon EOS 30D and its 784 gr (or 1.73 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 30D 784 gr
1.73 lb
Nikon D4 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Canon EOS 30D vs Nikon D4 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D4, 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
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Name Canon EOS 30D Nikon D4
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Release Year 2006 2012
Release Date 2006-02-21 2012-01-06
MSRP 1499 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 3504 x 2336 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 8,2 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED 3
Image
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 204800
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT color LCD with brightness control
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Frames per second 5 fps 11 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 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) with TC-80N3 remote controller
Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal)
GPS No Yes
GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 30D
Nikon D4
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details BP-511A
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 750 shots N/A
Width 144 mm 160 mm
Height 106 mm 157 mm
Depth 74 mm 91 mm
Weight 784 gram 1340 gram