Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 70D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D850 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 70D were released 2013 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 70D 2013
Nikon D850 2017

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 70D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D850 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 70D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D850 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 70D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D850 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 70D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 128 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 70D. 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 D850 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 70D. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Canon EOS 70D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 70D 100-12800
Nikon D850 64-25600

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 70D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 70D 7
Nikon D850 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D850 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 33% heavier than Canon EOS 70D and its 755 gr (or 1.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 70D 755 gr
1.66 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D850, 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 70D
Nikon D850
Name Canon EOS 70D Nikon D850
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Release Year 2013 2017
Release Date 2013-07-02 2017-07-25
MSRP 1199 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 20,2 MP 46 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 12800 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 14
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 19 151
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 70D
Nikon D850
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type Clear View II TFT color LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Frames per second 7 fps 9 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 70D
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 920 shots 1840 shots
Width 139 mm 146 mm
Height 104 mm 124 mm
Depth 79 mm 79 mm
Weight 755 gram 1005 gram