Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

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

Manufacturing

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

Nikon D4 were released 2012 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D4 2012
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D4 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 D4 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 D4 has a 16,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D4 16,2 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Nikon D4 has a 33 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. 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 Rebel XSi. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D4 100-204800
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600

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 D4
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D4 11
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D4. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 156% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XSi and its 524 gr (or 1.16 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D4 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb

Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D4 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi, 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 D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Name Nikon D4 Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Release Year 2012 2008
Release Date 2012-01-06 2008-01-24
MSRP 5999 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
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 4928 x 3280 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16,2 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DIGIC 3
Image
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
ISO Range 100 - 204800 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 12 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 D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 9
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 D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD with brightness control N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Frames per second 11 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Memory Card Compact Flash
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
No
Remote Control Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS 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)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack LP-E5
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 600 shots
Width 160 mm 129 mm
Height 157 mm 98 mm
Depth 91 mm 62 mm
Weight 1340 gram 524 gram