Nikon D1 vs Canon EOS R8

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D1 and Canon EOS R8. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D1 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R8 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D1 were released 1999 and Canon EOS R8 was released 2023. That is a 24 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D1 1999
Canon EOS R8 2023

Type of camera

Nikon D1 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R8 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS R8 has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 D1 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS R8 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D1 has a 2,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R8 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312
Canon EOS R8 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS R8 has a 815 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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

Canon EOS R8 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Canon EOS R8 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D1 200-1600
Canon EOS R8 100-102400

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R8 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R8

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R8 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D1 4,5
Canon EOS R8 6

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 Canon EOS R8. Sadly, the Nikon D1 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 D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 160% heavier than Canon EOS R8 and its 461 gr (or 1.02 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb
Canon EOS R8 461 gr
1.02 lb

Nikon D1 vs Canon EOS R8 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D1 and Canon EOS R8, 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 D1
Canon EOS R8
Name Nikon D1 Canon EOS R8
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Release Year 1999 2023
Release Date 1999-06-15 2023-02-08
MSRP 4999 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 2000 x 1312 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 2,7 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) DIGIC X
Image
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
ISO Range 200 - 1600 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 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 D1
Canon EOS R8
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 5 1053
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
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
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 130000 1620000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 2360000
Photography features
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Frames per second 4,5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/16000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
H.265
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (Wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b/g/n) (2.4 GHz)32, with Bluetooth 4.2 support)
Remote Control Supported Yes. RS-60E3-type terminal (remote control terminal)
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D1
Canon EOS R8
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E17
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 220 shots
Width 157 mm 133 mm
Height 153 mm 86 mm
Depth 85 mm 70 mm
Weight 1200 gram 461 gram