Canon EOS Rebel XT vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XT and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS Rebel XT is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D780 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS Rebel XT were released 2005 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 15 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel XT 2005
Nikon D780 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS Rebel XT has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D780 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 Rebel XT 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D780 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 Rebel XT has a 8 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D780 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel XT 8 MP
7962624 pixels
3456 x 2304
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D780 has a 206 % 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 D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XT. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS Rebel XT has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XT 100-1600
Nikon D780 100-51200

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 Rebel XT
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D780

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel XT can shoot up to 2,8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XT 2,8
Nikon D780 12

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 D780. Sadly, the Canon EOS Rebel XT 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 D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 56% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XT and its 540 gr (or 1.19 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XT 540 gr
1.19 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Canon EOS Rebel XT vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel XT and Nikon D780, 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 Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Name Canon EOS Rebel XT Nikon D780
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Release Year 2005 2020
Release Date 2005-02-17 2020-01-07
MSRP 599 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
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 3456 x 2304 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 8 MP 25 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 51200
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 Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 7 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 Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 1.8” 3.2”
Screen dots 115000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Frames per second 2,8 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 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
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Battery Pack NB-2LH
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 2260 shots
Width 127 mm 144 mm
Height 94 mm 116 mm
Depth 64 mm 76 mm
Weight 540 gram 840 gram