Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 7D Mark II
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D3 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 7D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D3 were released 2007 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II was released 2014. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D3 | 2007 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II | 2014 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 7D Mark II 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 D3 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II | 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 D3 has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 7D Mark II has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D3 |
12,1 MP
12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
20 MP
19961856 pixels 5472 x 3648 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II has a 66 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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 D3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 7D Mark II. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Canon EOS 7D Mark II has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D3 | 200-25600 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II | 100-16000 |
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 D3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 7D Mark II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D3 | 9 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II | 10 |
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 7D Mark II. Sadly, the Nikon D3 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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 43% heavier than Canon EOS 7D Mark II and its 910 gr (or 2.01 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D3 | 1300 gr 2.87 lb |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II | 910 gr 2.01 lb |
Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 7D Mark II Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II, 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 D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Name | Nikon D3 | Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Release Year | 2007 | 2014 |
Release Date | 2007-08-23 | 2014-09-15 |
MSRP | 4999 USD | 1799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
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 | 4256 x 2832 pixels | 5472 x 3648 pixels |
Megapixels | 12,1 MP | 20 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED | DUAL DIGIC 6 |
Image |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
ISO Range | 200 - 25600 | 100 - 16000 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 8 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 51 | 65 |
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 D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 922000 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | Clear View II TFT-LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.7× | 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Frames per second | 9 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 10 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes | Yes (wired or wireless) |
GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D3 |
Canon EOS 7D Mark II |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
|
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 4300 shots | 670 shots |
Width | 160 mm | 149 mm |
Height | 157 mm | 112 mm |
Depth | 88 mm | 78 mm |
Weight | 1300 gram | 910 gram |